Everyone Take Note --It’s That Musical Season Again

Music provides many of the special delights of the holiday season. Throughout the San Fernando Valley, a variety of programs--featuring carols, hymns and gospel music--are being offered by church choirs and congregations, as well as several major shopping malls. What follows is a sampling of some of the upcoming musical events. Unless otherwise specified, they are free to the public.

A one-hour a cappella song service featuring traditional Christmas carols is scheduled at the Church of Christ in Woodland Hills Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. In addition, the service will feature several solo numbers, as well as the reading of poems and Scriptures (23363 Burbank Blvd., 818-348-3712).

A program described by Pastor Larry Maib as “a Christmas buffet and caroling service” will take place Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Faith Baptist Church in Sun Valley. All the pews have been removed from the sanctuary; in their place, a Christmas tree and tables will be set up. A potluck buffet will precede the 7 o’clock evening service, which will feature carols and special musical numbers sung by the church choir (10335 La Tuna Canyon Road, 818-767-5749).

A modern-day Christmas pageant titled “The Gift Goes On” will be performed by members of First Baptist Church of North Hollywood today and Saturday at 7 p.m. The new musical, written by Claire Cloninger, will include adult performers and more than a dozen children. Traditional Christmas carols will be interspersed throughout the 45-minute outdoor performance. At 11 a.m. Sunday, a contemporary Christmas cantata titled “We Behold His Glory” will be presented by the church’s choir and musicians (11210 Otsego St., 818-763-4356).

The “25th Annual Living Christmas Tree” will be presented by the First Baptist Church of Van Nuys at 8 tonight, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 and 6 p.m. Sunday. This year’s show, which is divided into secular and religious segments, will feature 200 performers. The first part, which has the theme of “a country Christmas,” will feature performers in a variety of costumes. The second part of the show, during which the cast climbs the 33-foot Christmas tree, will include both traditional and contemporary caroling. The program ends with a performance of the “Hallelujah Chorus.” All tickets are $8 (14800 Sherman Way, 818- 787-4450).

“The Music of Christmas,” an annual concert of traditional carols and hymns, will be presented by the sanctuary choir of the First Foursquare Church of Van Nuys/The Church on the Way at 7 p.m. Saturday and 3 and 6 p.m. Sunday. Soloists and an orchestra will be featured in the 90-minute program, to be held in the main sanctuary, which seats 1,500 people (14300 Sherman Way, 818-786-7090).

The annual Christmas concert of the First Lutheran Church of Northridge will be presented at 4 p.m. Sunday. The Carol Choir, made up of children ages 8 to 11, and the Cathedral Choir will sing a variety of traditional and contemporary Christmas hymns and anthems. Accompaniment will be provided by organist Mark Holmstrom, and there will be several guitar and flute instrumentals. Soloists Sue O’Connor, Doug Uyehara, Mary Beth Heglund, and Dave and Michelle Segstock are scheduled to perform under the musical direction of Susan Hamre. A reception with refreshments will follow the presentation (18355 Roscoe Blvd., 818-885-6861).

The First United Methodist Church of Glendale will welcome the Pasadena Boys Choir, under the direction of John Barron, for a special holiday performance Sunday at 4 p.m. Classical selections from the 13th through 20th centuries and familiar holiday tunes will be performed (134 N. Kenwood St., 818-243-2105). For ticket information, call Ticketmaster, (213) 480-3232.

The 100-voice choir of Grace Community Church, accompanied by a 35-piece orchestra, will perform familiar Christmas carols during its annual Christmas concerts, which will be held at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, and 6 p.m. Sunday. Soloists Daniel Huff and Phillip Webb, tenors, and soprano Karoline Thomer will sing several lesser-known carols during the hour-and-40-minute program. The church seats more than 3,300 people (13248 Roscoe Blvd., Sun Valley, 818-782-5920).

Lake Manor Chapel, an Advent Christian church in Chatsworth, will offer “Carols and Communion” Wednesday at 7 p.m. The 90-minute event in the congregation’s small country church will feature a selection of Christmas songs, old-time and modern gospel music, including Christian songs from the Marantha song book. The Children’s Choir will also take part in the festivities. Refreshments follow the service (23449 Lake Manor Drive, 818-712-0079).

St. Francis De Sales Roman Catholic Church will present a 90-minute Christmas concert on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Under the direction of Gordon Bachlund, the Parish Choir, Knights of Columbus, CCD and the Little Church (a group of preschoolers) will sing a variety of Christmas selections. After the music, Santa Claus is scheduled to appear with gifts for the children. A congregational sing-along will be held before the lighting of the 30-foot Christmas tree. Although there is no admission charge, those who attend are asked to bring a donation of non-perishable food, which will be given to the poor (13370 Valleyheart Drive, Sherman Oaks, 818- 784-0105).

Toluca Lake United Methodist Church will present a special musical service, featuring baritone John Lombardi, at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. The Chancel Choir will sing, and there will be a congregational sing-along (4301 Cahuenga Blvd., North Hollywood, 818-761-5897).

Valley Community Church of Seventh-day Adventist will present a one-hour musical show at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. International gospel singer Jesse Martin will perform several solo numbers and a duet with gospel singer Carole Derry. The San Fernando Youth Choir from Pacoima and readings of Christmas poetry will also be featured (20550 Roscoe Blvd., Canoga Park, 818-882-1171).

The Valley will also be the site of a number of Christmas Eve midnight services.

Emmanuel Lutheran Church plans two. The 5 p.m. program will be a musical instrumental service, followed by an 11 p.m. service with performances by the church choir (6020 Radford Ave., North Hollywood, 818-761-6124.)

First Presbyterian Church of Encino will have a candlelight service with a three-piece combo, choir performance, organ accompaniment and congregational singing beginning at 11 p.m. (4963 Balboa Ave., 818-788-1147).

First United Methodist Church of Pasadena will hold a candlelight service at 11 p.m., which will include performances by the Cathedral Choir and congregational singing (500 E. Colorado Blvd., 818-796-0157).

Pasadena Presbyterian Church will present “Lessons and Carols,” a musical service with traditional carols and anthems, at 7:30 and 11 p.m. The Youth and Children’s Choirs will perform at the former, and the Kirk Choir, accompanied by a string quartet, will perform at the latter (585 E. Colorado Blvd., 818-793-2191).

The Little Brown Church in the Valley, Christian Disciples of Christ, will hold a candlelight service at 11 p.m., which will feature special music of the season (4418 Coldwater Canyon Ave., Studio City, 818-761-1127).

St. David’s Episcopal Church will have an 11 p.m. service, featuring songs by the choir with organ accompaniment and congregational sing-along (11605 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, 818- 761-8633).

St. Finbar’s Roman Catholic Church will offer a midnight Mass featuring its church choirs and organ accompaniment (2010 W. Olive Blvd., Burbank, 818-846- 6251).

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church-Glendale will offer two musical services at 4 and 10:30 p.m. The Bell, Children’s and Youth choirs are scheduled to perform at the early service, and the Bell and Canterbury choirs will sing at the later service, accompanied by a musical ensemble and organist (1020 N. Brand Blvd., 818-240- 3860).

St. Mary’s Parish-Assyrian Church of the East will present a four-hour program that starts with songs sung by the church choir and is followed by a traditional Christmas service (6903 Radford Ave., North Hollywood, 818-982-7733).

St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church will have a carol service beginning at 10:30 p.m. with a string quartet, harpist and choir. Eucharist celebration begins at 11 p.m. (3646 Coldwater Canyon Ave., Studio City, 818-763-9193).

St. Francis De Sales Roman Catholic Church has scheduled a special caroling service with the Parish Choir, accompanied by organ music, beginning at 11:15 p.m. and followed by midnight Mass (13370 Valleyheart Drive, Sherman Oaks, 818-784-0105).

St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church will present a special candlelight service beginning at 11 p.m. with church choir and hymns of the season (15950 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, 818-891-1759).

Finally, a number of local malls will present a series of free holiday programs.

Fallbrook Mall: From noon until 2 p.m. Saturday, harpists Catrina and Michael Saroyan will perform in the food court. From 8 to 9 p.m., the Yuletide Carolers, dressed in costumes from Dickens’ day, will stroll through the mall singing traditional carols. From 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sunday, the Merriest Old Christmas Carolers will sing throughout the mall (Fallbrook Avenue and Vanowen Street, Canoga Park).

Laurel Plaza: Children from Lindenbrook School will put on a musical program from 7 to 8 tonight. Dressed as angels, reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and Santa Claus, among other Christmas characters, the youngsters, ages 2 to 8, will sing Christmas and Hanukkah songs and perform several dance numbers (6100 Laurel Canyon Blvd., North Hollywood).

Northridge Fashion Center: The Sweet Adelines will sing a variety of holiday tunes throughout Saturday and Sunday (9301 Tampa Ave., Northridge).

Promenade Mall: The Van Nuys High School Choir will perform at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the Center Court. At 2:30 p.m. Sunday, the El Camino Real High School Choir will perform holiday music, also in the Center Court (Oxnard Street and Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Woodland Hills).

Sherman Oaks Galleria: The Mark Anton Singers and the Morris Madrigals will perform at 3 and 4 p.m. Saturday, respectively. At 4 p.m. Sunday, a Hanukkah program will be presented. Actor Elliot Gould is scheduled to light the Valley’s largest menorah--which stands 25 feet tall. There will be toys for the children, singing, band music and hot latkes (15303 Ventura Blvd.).

Topanga Plaza: A Hanukkah celebration is scheduled for 5 p.m. Sunday. The Children’s Chorus from the West Valley Hebrew Institute will sing a variety of Hanukkah songs, and Rabbi Dov Aharoni, of Beit Hamidrash in Woodland Hills, will light the menorah in a special ceremony. Free refreshments will be provided (6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Canoga Park).