Music Fills the Air

Holiday music performances abound at different locations around Ventura County. Here’s a rundown:

* The Ventura County Master Chorale will have three performances of its “Home for the Holidays” concert. The program features a number of traditional Christmas carols and Norman Dello Joio’s “Nativity, a Christmas Canticle for the Child.” Geraldine Decker narrates. Concerts: 8 p.m. Saturday, Sacred Heart Church, 10800 Henderson Road, Ventura; 4 and 8 p.m. Dec. 20, San Buenaventura Mission, 211 E. Main St., Ventura. Tickets are $15. Call 654-6459 or 653-7282.

* Conejo Symphony Orchestra performs “Music of the Holidays” 3 and 8 p.m. Sunday at the California Lutheran University Auditorium. The 8 p.m. Saturday concert is sold out. The symphony will be joined by the Sherwood Singers as well as the California Dance Theater. The latter will perform excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker.” Tickets, 3 p.m.: $9, $15 and $17. Tickets, 8 p.m.: $10, $17, $20. The campus is at 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. Call 498-7092.

* The 130-voice Gold Coast Community Chorus performs “Holiday Sing ‘92” 7:30 p.m. today and Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church, 196 N. Ashwood Ave., Ventura. The program features Benjamin Britten’s “Ceremony of Carols,” plus an array of Christmas, Hanukkah and secular holiday music. Donation: $8.50, $6.50 senior citizens and $3.50 children. Advance tickets are available at various locations. Call 649-3471.

* Moorpark College will present two concerts 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Westlake United Methodist Church, 1049 Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village. The concerts will feature the college’s Concert Choir and Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. The works of three Conejo Valley composers will be performed along with Christmas and Hanukkah music. Tickets are $5. Call 378-1453.

* The 50-voice Ojai Community Chorus presents its annual “Christmas Concert” 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Ojai Presbyterian Church, 304 N. Foothill Road. “Music for Rejoicing” will feature John Rutter’s Magnificat and will include the first movement of Vivaldi’s Gloria and selected carols. Donation: $10, $7 senior citizens and students. A reception will follow the concert. Child care will be provided. Call 646-8679.

* The combined choirs and orchestra of Ventura’s Trinity Lutheran Church will perform Handel’s Messiah 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18. The church is at 196 N. Ashwood Ave. Donations are requested. Call 644-7474.

* The Simi Valley Hospital and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will present “Community Messiah Sing-along” 7 p.m. Dec. 20. The concert is a benefit for the homeless. The West Valley Chamber Orchestra will be joined by anyone who would like to sing in the choir. Those interested should attend a 6 p.m. rehearsal the day of the concert. Admission: canned goods, clothing and toys. The concert will be held at the church, located in Simi Valley on Sinaloa Road at Highland Road. Call 583-1127.