Bella Voce: Director Andrew Lewis may be relied on to present holiday programs mixing familiar choral fare with interesting esoterica. The ensemble’s Christmas concerts are no exception. 7:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Procopius Abbey, 5601 College Road, Lisle; and 4 p.m. Sunday at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 939 Hinman Ave., Evanston; $30-$38; 877-755-6277, bellavoce.org
Chicago a cappella: The vocal ensemble’s holiday program promises something for everyone, including carols and songs, and premieres by artistic director Jonathan Miller and music director Patrick Sinozich. 8 p.m. Friday at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St.; and 4 p.m. Sunday at Wentz Concert Hall, North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville; $22-$35; 773-281-7820, chicagoacappella.org
Chicago Children’s Choir: Soprano Nicole Cabell guests with Josephine Lee’s youthful chorus for “Songs of the Season.” 3 p.m. Sunday at Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph Drive; $15-$65; 312-334-7777, harristheaterchicago.org
Chicago Master Singers: Alan Heatherington directs the chorus and Ars Viva Symphony in an unusual Yuletide program featuring arrangements of traditional carols and Christmas-themed works by Vaughan Williams and Holst. 7:30 p.m. Friday and 7 p.m. Sunday at Divine Word Chapel, 2001 Waukegan Road, Techny; $28-$48; 800-595-4849, chicagomastersingers.org
Chicago Symphony Orchestra: The acclaimed American pianist Jeremy Denk debuts with the orchestra under Michael Tilson Thomas, playing Beethoven’s Third Piano Concerto on a program that also holds Mahler’s “Blumine” and Schoenberg’s orchestration of the Brahms Piano Quartet in G minor; 1:30 p.m. Friday and 8 p.m. Saturday; $27-$207. Esa-Pekka Salonen’s annual visit to the subscription series brings Mahler’s Sixth Symphony and the world premiere of James Matheson’s Violin Concerto, with principal second violin Baird Dodge as soloist; 8 p.m. Thursday (repeated Dec. 16-17); $29-$235. Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; 312-294-3000, cso.org
Chicago Symphony Orchestra Brass: The CSO’s fabled brass choir performs classical and holiday pieces, along with a U.S. premiere. 2 p.m. Sunday at Court Street United Methodist Church, 215 N. Court St., Rockford; $25; 815-964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org. Also, 3 p.m. Wednesday at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; $32-$121; 312-294-3000, cso.org
Elgin Symphony Orchestra: Stephen Squires directs a holiday concert, with pianist Rich Ridenour, soprano Elizabeth Norman, the Choral-Aires Chorus and Elgin Children’s Chorus. 3:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin.; $20-$66; 847-888-4000, elginsymphony.org
Ensemble Dal Niente: In “Hard Music Hard Liquor,” the Chicago contemporary ensemble tackles works for solo instruments and voice, including Georges Aperghis’ sax piece, “P.S.,” in its North American premiere. 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Morse Ave.; $20-$25; 812-786-2031, dalniente.com
Fifth House Ensemble: Chicago’s unique, genre-traversing group presents “#thisrocks,” the second part of its season-long, Web-themed project, “In Transit.” 7 p.m. Thursday at Preston Bradley Hall, Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.; free; fifth-house.com
David Fray: The celebrated French pianist makes his Orchestra Hall recital debut with a program of Mozart and Beethoven works. 3 p.m. Sunday at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; $18-$76; 312-294-3000, cso.org
Highland Park Strings: Canadian violinist Nikki Chooi joins conductor Francesco Milioto for an all-Tchaikovsky program. 3 p.m. Sunday at Elm Place School, 2031 Sheridan Road, Highland Park; free; 847-831-3622, hpstrings.org
Music of the Baroque: Celebrate the season with MOB’s traditional festival of carols, chant and works for brass and choir. Chorus master William Jon Gray conducts. 8 p.m. Thursday at Grace Lutheran Church, 7300 Division St., River Forest (repeated Dec. 16 in Chicago and Dec. 17-18 in Northbrook); $30-$75, $25 for seniors; 312-551-1414, baroque.org
MusicNOW: Hubbard Street Dance Chicago will provide the choreography to a new work by CSO resident composer Anna Clyne. Also on the program (co-hosted by Clyne and fellow resident composer Mason Bates) will be recent pieces by Julia Wolfe, Aaron Jay Kernis and others. 7 p.m. Monday at Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph Drive; $22; 312-294-3000, cso.org
William Ferris Chorale: The celebrated Chicago chorus begins its 40th anniversary season with its annual Christmas concert. Featured work is Ferris’ cantata “Make We Joy,” with other seasonal fare. 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Madonna della Strada Chapel, Loyola University Chicago, 1032 W. Sheridan Road; $20; 773-508-2940, williamferrischorale.org
Twitter @johnvonrhein
