Atlanta Gay Men’s Choir. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus, an ensemble founded in 1981 by artistic director Jeffrey McIntyre and 45 local singers. Now led by Donald Milton III, the group will unveil two new tracks on the annual holiday broadcasts, “Hanerot Halalu”, arranged by Milton, and “Holiday Lament”, billed as a “happy and hilarious song”. Along with these additions, listeners can expect to hear ‘Beteleheum’, a Nigerian Christmas carol, and ‘Lux Aurumque’ by Eric Whitacre. 8 p.m., December 3; 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on December 4. $ 35- $ 60. St. Philip’s Cathedral, 2744 Peachtree Road. NO, Atlanta. 404-320-1030, Voicesofnote.org.
Georgia Symphony Orchestra. Like most other ensembles, the Marietta-based Symphony skipped its annual live holiday event last year, but the musicians are back in 2021 with audience sung tunes and other holiday music. The ensemble will also feature the winner of its Virtual to Center Stage talent competition, judged by local musical luminaries, including opera singer Jennifer Holloway and Broadway artist Shuler Hensley. 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., December 4. $ 12 to $ 40. Marietta Performing Arts Center, 1171 Whitlock Ave. NW, Marietta. 770-615-2908, georgiasymphony.org.
Emory concerts. Emory University kicks off its holiday celebration on December 4 with “A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols,” which features candlelit carols by Emory Concert Choir and University Chorus in the Glenn Memorial Auditorium at the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts. A week later, the Atlanta Master Chorale returns to the Schwartz Center for a Christmas concert that will be broadcast live. The chorale then returns to Emory in January to perform Durufle’s “Requiem” with Georgian mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton. “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols ”, 8 pm December 4. $ 20. Atlanta Choirmaster, 8 p.m., December 10 and 11; 4 p.m., December 12. $ 35. Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts, 1700 N. Decatur Road, Atlanta. 404-727-5050, schwartz.emory.edu.
KSU Holiday Concert. The Kennesaw State University Holiday Concert is a showcase for the myriad of Kennesaw State University ensembles. Listeners will hear the wind ensemble, orchestra and university choirs perform the holiday rate. 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., December 4. $ 15-20 $. Bailey Performance Center, 488 Prillaman Way, Kennesaw. 470-578-6650, arts.kennesaw.edu.
Choir of masterpieces. Masterworks Chorale, which is celebrating its 83rd season this year, will present its Christmas program at the Center in Newnan. Gate City Brass, the Atlanta-based brass quintet, will also perform with soloists including mezzo-soprano Gwendolyn Reid Kuhlmann and bass Henry Roberts. The chorale is led by Kevin Leong, appointed Music Director and Conductor in 2017. 2:30 p.m., December 5. $ 5 to $ 12. Donald W. Nixon Center for the Performing and Visual Arts, 1523 Lower Fayetteville Road. 770-254-2787, theixoncentre.net
Coro Vocati is back this year with two holiday performances in the metropolitan area. Courtesy of Steve Ozcomert
Credit: Steve Ozcomert
Coro Vocati is back this year with two holiday performances in the metropolitan area. Courtesy of Steve Ozcomert
Credit: Steve Ozcomert
Credit: Steve Ozcomert
Coro Vocati. Coro Vocati is presenting their “A Season of Carols” concert at two locations in the metro area this season. The cohort of professional singers has been based in Atlanta for over a decade and is led by John Dickson, director of choral studies at Louisiana State University. The group gave the Georgia premiere of Craig Hella Johnson’s “Considering Matthew Shepard,” a multimedia choral piece, in June 2019. 7:30 p.m., December 11. $ 10 to $ 25. All Saints Episcopal Church, 634 W. Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta. 3 p.m., December 12. $ 10 to $ 25. St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church, 571 Holt Road NE, Marietta. corovocati.org
Georgia Boys Choir. An orchestra and organ from Peachtree Road United Methodist Church will join the five levels of Georgia Boy Choir members as they weave their way through holiday classics. Listeners will hear familiar tunes and some lesser-known sacred hymns. Founded in 2009 under the leadership of David White, the organization has 85 singers in its ensembles. 7 p.m., December 17-18. $ 15 to $ 40. Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, 3180 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta. 404-402-4083, georgiaboychoir.org.
Atlanta Women’s Choir. The Atlanta Women’s Chorus dedicated its vacation show, “Remembrance and Joy”, to the victims of the pandemic. In this vein, the group will present a new arrangement of Faure’s “Requiem”, followed by holiday arias, including “The Work of Christmas” by Dan Forrest. 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on December 18. $ 20- $ 25. Morningside Presbyterian Church, 1411 N. Morningside Drive NE, Atlanta. 404-320-1030, Voicesofnote.org.
“Messiah.” The Atlanta Symphony Chamber Chorus, conducted by Norman Mackenzie and accompanied by the orchestra, returns triumphantly to Symphony Hall after a two-year absence to perform Handel’s “Messiah”. A week earlier, the full ASO choir joined the Gwinnett Young Singers for the return of “Christmas with ASO”. After this return to the season, the whole choir will be back on stage in March for Mozart’s “Requiem” with Nathalie Stutzmann, the musical director of the ASO on hold. 8 p.m., December 18-19. $ 20 to $ 89. Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 404-733-5000, atlantasymphony.org.
The King’s Singers visit Spivey Hall as part of an American tour. Courtesy of Rebecca Reid
Credit: Rebecca Reid
The King’s Singers visit Spivey Hall as part of an American tour. Courtesy of Rebecca Reid
Credit: Rebecca Reid
Credit: Rebecca Reid
The king’s singers. The UK-based six-person choral ensemble will take a whirlwind tour of the United States in December, passing through Colorado, Indiana and Utah before heading south. The group will perform two shows in Georgia, one at the Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall in Athens and one at Spivey Hall. Everywhere you see them, except to hear rich, contrapuntal arrangements and tight harmonies. 7:30 p.m., December 18. $ 32- $ 62. Hugh Hodson Concert Hall, 230 River Road, Athens. 706-542-4400, pac.uga.edu. 3 p.m., December 19. $ 75. Spivey Hall, 2000 Clayton State Blvd., Morrow. 678-466-4200, spiveyhall.org.
