Family Fare Fills Southland Stages for Holidays : Music: Handel’s ‘Messiah’ is being offered as a mix-and-match for all tastes.

Handel’s most famous oratorio, “Messiah” can be heard hereabouts in a number of settings during this 1990 Christmas season. Some of them offer excerpts only; others are of the sing-along variety; a few are nearly complete. Mix and match according to your own tastes.

George Frideric Handel, history tells us, invented the English oratorio. And his “Messiah,” first performed in 1742, is recognized as not only his finest oratorio, but his masterpiece in a musical oeuvre of great size and breadth.

Christmas has become the traditional time for performing “Messiah” but for devotees any season seems appropriate.

All Saints’ Choir, Orchestra, Thomas Foster, conductor (All Saints’ Church, 504 N. Camden Drive, Beverly Hills, (213) 275-0123). Excerpts from “Messiah.” Dec. 16. 5 p.m.

Cal State San Bernardino University Chorale, Loren Filbeck, conductor (Recital Hall, Cal State San Bernardino, 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino (714) 880-5859. “Messiah” (Handel). Dec. 8. Also, Dec. 9, 3 p.m. 8:15 p.m.

Conejo Symphony, Elmer Ramsey, conductor (Auditorium, California Lutheran University, Memorial Parkway, Thousand Oaks (805) 498-7092). “Messiah” excerpts, plus other holiday fare. Dec. 8. 8 p.m.

Garden Grove Symphony, Mormon Choir, Edward Peterson, conductor (Don Wash Auditorium, 11271 Stanford Ave., Garden Grove, (714) 534-1103). Selections from “Messiah” (Handel), “Nutcracker” (Tchaikovsky), “Amahl and the Night Visitors” (Menotti). Dec. 15. 8 p.m.

Glendale Symphony, Valley Master Chorale, L.A. County High for the Arts Choir, Lalo Schifrin, conductor; Gregory Jefferson, flute (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Music Center, (213) 972-7211). Flute Concerto No. 1 (Mozart); excerpts from “Messiah”; other holiday music. Dec. 11. 8 p.m.

L. A. Master Chorale and Sinfonia, John Currie, conductor; Patrice Michaels Bedi, soprano; Paul Rassmussen, mezzo-soprano; Alejandro Guerrero, tenor; Kevin Bell, bass (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Music Center, (213) 972-7211). “Messiah” (Handel); chorale, orchestra, soloists--the works. Dec. 9. 7 p.m. L.A. Master Chorale and Sinfonia, John Currie, conductor; Patrice Michaels Bedi, Paula Rassmussen, Alejandro Guerrero, Kevin Bell, vocal soloists (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Music Center, (213) 972-7211). “Messiah” sing-along, with the resident chorus and orchestra. Dec. 16. 7 p.m. Pacific Chorale, John Alexander, conductor (Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, (714) 556-2121). “Messiah” (Handel), sing-along version, with large chorus, the work abridged from the full-length realization, but with nearly complete Christmas portion. And with a 27-member orchestra. Dec. 9. 3 p.m.

Pacific Symphony, Pacific Chorale, John Alexander, conductor; Jennifer Trost, Deborah Cree, Jonathan Mack, Louis Lebherz, vocal soloists (Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, (714) 556-2121). “Messiah” (Handel) in a nearly complete performance, with orchestra of 28 and chorus of 60. Dec. 15. 3:30 p.m.

St. Andrews Ensembles, Don G. Fontana, conductor; Gloria Grace Prosper, Helen Wardner, Richard Riffel, Brad McMurray, vocal soloists (St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 600 St. Andrews Road, Newport Beach, (714) 631-3821). Dec. 16. “Messiah” sing-along. Dec. 16. 4 p.m.

San Diego Symphony, Kenneth Kiesler, conductor; Virginia Sublett, Laura Brooks Rice, David Hamilton, Martin Wright, vocal soloists; San Diego Master Chorale. “Messiah.” Dec. 13. Also, Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. 8 p.m.

Southern California Mormon Choir, Brent Pierce, conductor; Patricia Prunty, Bernice Brightbill, Bruce Johnson, Peter Derick, vocal soloists (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Music Center, (213) 972-7211). “Messiah” (Handel), with orchestra and soloists. Dec. 10. 8 p.m.