Apollo Chorus of Chicago: It’s “Messiah” time once more, and to celebrate the choir’s 140th season, director Stephen Alltop will lead his 125-member ensemble, soloists and orchestra in a festive performance of Handel’s great oratorio. 3 p.m. Sunday at Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph Drive; $40-$55; 312-334-7777, harristheaterchicago.org
Chicago Symphony Orchestra: Guest conductor 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; 1:30 p.m. Friday and 8 p.m. Saturday at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; $29-$235; 312-294-3000, cso.org
Do-It-Yourself “Messiah”: One of Chicago’s most beloved holiday traditions enters its 36th year with a slightly different drill. Once again the audience-as-chorus will be joined by world-class vocal soloists and full orchestra to perform Handel’s joyous oratorio. This time around, however, participants will be charged admission. The good news: Thanks to last-minute sponsorship, the event is expected to break even. 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph Drive; $10; 312-334-7777, harristheaterchicago.org
Fifth House Ensemble: Chicago’s frisky, genre-traversing group presents “#thisrocks,” the second part of “In Transit,” its seasonlong project consisting of original urban tales told through music. 6:30 p.m. Friday at Indian Boundary Park and Cultural Center, 2500 W. Lunt Ave.; free; fifth-house.com
Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra: Conductor laureate Carmon DeLeone returns to lead a holiday concert that includes songs of the season and a carol singalong, with guest vocal soloists and choruses. 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
Jasper String Quartet: The award-winning ensemble, quartet-in-residence at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, performs Schubert’s “Death and the Maiden” Quartet along with string quartets by Samuel Barber and Aaron Jay Kernis. 8 p.m. Friday at Fine Arts Center Recital Hall, Northeastern Illinois University, 3701 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.; $25, $15 for seniors; 773-442-4636, boxoffice.neiu.edu
Lakeside Singers: The vocal ensemble presents holiday favorites from around the world. 8 p.m. Friday at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St.; and 8 p.m. Saturday at Wentz Concert Hall, North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville; $30, $20 for seniors, $10 for children under 12; 847-382-5085, lakesidesingers.com
Music of the Baroque: Celebrate Christmas with MOB’s traditional festival of carols, chant and works for brass and choir. Chorus master William Jon Gray conducts. 8 p.m. Friday at St. Michael’s Church, 3850 N. Cleveland Ave.; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday at Divine Word Chapel, 2011 Waukegan Road, Northbrook; $30-$75, $25 for seniors; 312-551-1414, baroque.org
Oriana Singers, City Voices, Pro Musica Children’s Chorus: William Chin leads singers, instrumentalists and dancers in First United Church’s annual, family-friendly Christmas spectacular. 7:30 p.m. Saturday at First United Church of Oak Park, 848 Lake St., Oak Park (6:30 p.m. silent auction); $20, $15 for seniors; 708-386-5215, ext. 39
Roland and Almita Vamos: The husband-and-wife teachers and performers are joined by their musician sons Brandon and Rami, along with other family artists, for a program of chamber works by Bach, Chopin, Poulenc and others. 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston; $25, $15 for seniors; 847-905-1500, ext. 108; musicinst.org
Vox 3: Brian von Rueden leads the vocal ensemble, with soloists and instrumental accompaniment, in Saint-Saens’ “Christmas Oratorio,” Respighi’s “Laud to the Nativity” and other seasonal fare. 3 p.m. Sunday at Madonna della Strada Chapel, Loyola University Chicago, 1032 W. Sheridan Road; free; vox3.org
Twitter @johnvonrhein
