Musical Offerings to Usher in Holiday Season

With the approach of Christmas, churches throughout the Southland are preparing seasonal concerts ranging from Handel’s “Messiah” to traditional Byzantine Christmas hymns.

Some of the offerings begin this weekend as Christians around the world begin the four-week season of Advent on Sunday. Advent is the beginning of the Christian liturgical year, a time when believers prepare for the coming of the Christ child.

At the same time, the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah is on the horizon and a concert is planned to benefit the Jewish Home for the Aging.

Here are some of the offerings:

* “Christmas Musicfest Under the Byzantine Dome” will be held Sunday at 7:30 p.m. featuring Byzantine hymns and selections from Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols.” Vocalists will include the Very Rev. John S. Bakas, baritone; lyric soprano Michele Patzaqkis Prappaqs; and sopranos Titika Samelis and Katherine Lambros Spilos. Constance Callinicos is director. The program will be at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 1324 S. Normandie Ave., Los Angeles. Free-will offering. (323) 737-2424.

* “A Joyous Concert” to benefit the Jewish Home for the Aging will be presented Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Workmen’s Circle, 1525 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles. The concert will feature the Los Angeles Mandolin Orchestra under Maestro Joel Lish, as well as the Mit Gezang Yiddish Chorus conducted by Michelle Green-Willner, Yiddish soloist Moti Buchboot and the Russian Children’s Chorus under Natalie Meiler. Minimum $25 donation requested. (310) 552-2007.

* “Gloria” by Guillaume Dufay, “Magnificat in B” by Francesco Durante and “The Christmas Story” by Heinrich Schutz will be performed Sunday at 4 p.m. by the Chancel Choir and orchestra of Westwood United Methodist Church, conducted by Gina Shaw. Soloists will be soprano Jeanne Contreras, mezzo-soprano Nancy Campeau, tenor Cahen Taylor and bass Burman Timberlake. The church is at 10497 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. Free. (310) 474-4511 or (626) 962-5291.

* Handel’s “Messiah” will be presented by a combined choir and orchestra, and soloists from the Los Angeles Chamber Singers, Los Angeles Master Chorale and Orange County Master Chorale, under the direction of Marshall Ramirez on Sunday at 4 p.m. at Westchester Lutheran Church, 7831 S. Sepulveda Blvd. $12 donation, $6 seniors and children. (310) 670-5422.

* The Christmas portion of Handel’s “Messiah” will be presented Sunday at 7 p.m., featuring a choir directed by Melinda Goodall with Guy Lalime at the organ and a string ensemble led by Maria Newman at the Congregational Church of the Messiah, 7300 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester. Free. (310) 670-2242.

* A handbell choir and swing orchestra will play Christmas music today and Sunday at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. at University Christian Church in Westchester, 5831 W. Centinela Ave., near Green Valley Circle. Free. (310) 670-4747.

* Francis Poulenc’s “Gloria,” Randol Alan Bass’ “Praeludium Noel” and sing-along carols will be performed by the Chorale Bel Canto and symphony orchestra Sunday at 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 500 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Free-will offering. (626) 796-0157.

* Loyola Marymount University’s music department will offer its annual “Gala Christmas Choral Concert” under the direction of Mary C. Breden on Thursday and next Saturday at 8 p.m. Works include Benjamin Britten’s “Rejoice in the Lamb,” with student soloists Anne-Marie Dicce, Stacia Walsh, Nick Preston and Anthony Olivari. The concert will be in Sacred Heart Chapel on the campus, 7900 Loyola Blvd., Los Angeles. Tickets range from $8 to $12. (310) 338-7588 or (310) 338-5154.

* A “Concert of Mystical Chant” featuring the medieval songs of Hildegard Von Bingen, with soprano and recording artist Norma Gentile, will be held Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the First Church of Religious Science, 117 N. Pomona Ave., Fullerton. $15. (714) 525-1126.

* “Awake Jerusalem,” a fully staged musical pageant and narrative, will be presented Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 4 p.m. by the Cathedral Choir of Second Baptist Church, 2412 Griffith Ave., Los Angeles. Free. (213) 748-0318.

* St. Peters Chorale, a group of 70 high school vocalists from Brisbane, Australia, will perform music reflecting the Australian landscape and culture Monday at 7 p.m. at Community Presbyterian Church, 13701 Hillsborough Drive, La Mirada. Free-will offering. (562) 902-9035.

* “That’s the Good News,” a Christmas musical, featuring choir, soloists, a drama group and a barbershop quartet under the direction of Irene Kim, will be performed Sunday at 4 p.m. at Culver-Palms United Methodist Church, 4464 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City. Free-will offering. (310) 390-7717.

EVENTS

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Temple Sinai’s Annual Hanukkah and Gift Fair, featuring Glendale artist Joseph Ben Adam Rosen, will be held Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the synagogue’s social hall, 1212 N. Pacific Ave., Glendale. (818) 246-8101.

* “Secrets of Sociological Aikido: The Art of Spiritual Self-Defense,” by John Maxwell Taylor, will be offered Sunday at 7 p.m. at Unity of Tustin, 14402 S. Prospect Ave. $25. (714) 730-3486.

* Author and rabbi David Dalin, who co-wrote, with Rabbi Alfred J. Kolatch, “The Presidents of the United States and the Jews,” will speak on that subject Tuesday at 7:45 p.m. at Temple Beth Am, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. $5. (310) 652-7353, Ext. 215.

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