Camerata California

Many holiday tunes are probably second only to "Happy Birthday" in familiarity, so for those seeking something a little different this year, Camerata California offers some seasonal songs that most likely aren't currently on the mall Muzak Top Ten--and it's a safe bet they never have been. Although this special holiday program doesn't exactly feature new stuff, early-music ensemble Camerata California will perform music so old it's new to many of us.

The group presents a concert of sacred and secular German, Polish and English holiday music from the 13th to 16th centuries that will include period instruments.

Founded by longtime San José State University professor Dr. Vernon Read, since 1997 Camerata California has specialized in presenting music from Renaissance times and before.

Camerata California performs Dec. 14 at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in San Jose and Dec. 16 at the Concert Hall at San José State University. Free-will donations will be accepted Dec. 14; a donation of $5 adults or $3 students is asked Dec. 16. For more information, call 408.978.7435 or 650.969.2341.

Messiah Sing,
Holiday Reflections

Sometimes, singing along is the whole point, as with Peninsula-based choral group Schola Cantorum's Messiah Sing, an annual event that lets audiences hit all the right notes as they sing along with Schola Cantorum and a guest orchestra.

For those who prefer a slightly less hands-on experience, the group will also offer "Holiday Reflections," a concert of diverse holiday music that has origins both sacred and secular and both old and new. A program of everything from the traditional English "Greensleeves" to "Christmas Gift," a contemporary calypso-inspired song, offers a retrospective of past and current favorites from Schola Cantorum's repertoire--a reflection of the group's 40th anniversary, which it celebrates this year.

Schola Cantorum presents its "Messiah Sing" Dec. 15 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $12.50­$17.50. The group presents "Holiday Reflections" Dec. 13 at the First United Methodist Church in Palo Alto and Dec. 14 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Saratoga. Tickets are $18­$22. For more information, call 650.254.1700.

Christmas With the Chorale

Audiences can listen and sing along at "Christmas With the Chorale," a holiday concert featuring the 87-member Santa Clara Chorale. The group will perform traditional favorites like "Deck the Halls," "Carol of the Bells" and "O Holy Night."

Since its founding 40 years ago, the Santa Clara Chorale has regularly performed a variety of choral works, new and old. The group, made up of community members, has made its home base at the historic Mission Santa Clara on the grounds of Santa Clara University.

The chorale will perform this special yuletide concert at the mission, but will also take the show on the road for a second performance in Saratoga.

The Santa Clara Chorale presents "Christmas With the Chorale" Dec. 12 at Mission Santa Clara and Dec. 14 at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Saratoga. Tickets are $12­$18. For more information, call 408.979.0261 or visit www.scc.org.

Christmas at the Mission

The San José State University Choraliers will also be decking the halls at Mission Santa Clara this year with their popular annual holiday concert. The international-award-winning choral group will perform holiday music from around the globe, Christmas spirituals and Renaissance motets and madrigals, as well as new and different arrangements of holiday favorites. A highlight of the program will be new settings of "Three Spanish Villancicos" featuring guest soloist Debbie Trevaskis on the flute.

The 26-member Choraliers group has recorded seven albums of varied choral repertoire. In fact, seven seems to be a lucky number for the group, which has also taken home the top prize in seven international competitions.

The SJSU Choraliers present "Christmas at the Mission" Dec. 14 at Mission Santa Clara. Tickets are $10­$25 ($50 benefactors). For more information, call 408.924.4333.