Apollo Chorus of Chicago: The 140-voice choir under Stephen Alltop continues a 131-year-old tradition of performing Handel’s beloved oratorio “Messiah” in downtown Chicago. Vocal soloists and a baroque orchestra will assist. 3 p.m. Sunday at Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St.; $35-$55; 312-334-7777, harristheaterchicago.org
Chicago Folks Operetta: The troupe stages Franz Lehar’s rarely heard children’s Christmas operetta, “Peter and Paul in the Land of Nod,” in a new English translation. Marta Johnson conducts and Gerald Frantzen directs. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday at The 19th Century Club, 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park; $15, $12 for seniors; 708-383-2742, chicagofolksoperetta.org
Chicago Symphony Orchestra Brass: The CSO’s peerless brass section steps front and center with its annual program of brass favorites plus symphonic works arranged for brass ensemble. 1:30 p.m. Friday and 8 p.m. Saturday at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. $23-$211; 312-294-3000, cso.org
Nazar Dzhuryn: The Ukrainian cellist, an active performer in the Chicago area since settling here in 1998, is joined in recital by pianist Mikhail Yanovitsky. 7 p.m. Saturday at Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, 2320 W. Chicago Ave.; 773-227-5522, uima-chicago.org
Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra: Carmon DeLeone leads the annual holiday concerts, which include a semistaged production of the musical “Scrooge!” 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Lincoln-Way East Performing Arts Center, 201 E. Colorado Ave., Frankfort; $30-$40; 708-481-7774, ipomusic.org
Lakeside Singers: Classical and popular favorites make up the choir’s holiday program. 8 p.m. Monday in Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville; $30, $20 for seniors, $10 for children under 12; 847-382-5085, lakesidesingers.com
Midwest Young Artists: Award-winning area student musicians present a family-oriented program of seasonal favorites. 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday at Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St.; $5-$20; 312-334-7777, harristheaterchicago.org
Music of the Baroque: Chorus director William Jon Gray leads the annual holiday brass and choral concerts, one of MOB’s most popular Christmas traditions. 8 p.m. Friday at St. Michael’s Church, 1633 N. Cleveland Ave.; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 3 p.m. Sunday at Divine Word Chapel, 2001 Waukegan Road, Techny; $45-$75; 312-551-1414, baroque.org
