Orange County Register

Orange County listeners in search of their yearly fix of Christmas carols and/or Handel’s “Messiah” have no problem finding it. Performances are plentiful. This year, though, there are several other options.

Founded by two brothers from Fountain Valley, the Orange County Mormon Choral Organization presents “O Come Ye to Bethlehem” at 5:30 and 8 p.m. on Dec. 2 in Segerstrom Concert Hall. The organization boasts six performing ensembles — the Sunbeam Chorus (ages 4-6); the Children’s Chorus (ages 6-10), the Youth Chorus (ages 10-14), the Concert Choir (high school), the Orange County Mormon Choir (ages 18 and up), and the Orange County Mormon Symphony Orchestra — all of which will perform. Brett and Brandon Stewart, the founding brothers, lead the performances, which include the usual seasonal suspects as well as selections from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” Suite, Franz Biebl’s “Ave Maria, “Betelehemu” (a Nigerian carol), and Rutter’s “O Holy Night.”

Offering a look deep into Christmases past, the Tallis Scholars, one of the foremost Renaissance vocal ensembles in the world, visit the Irvine Barclay Theatre at 3 p.m. on Dec. 6. Led by Peter Phillips, the 10-member a cappella group will perform a slew of early Christmas masterworks, including Josquin des Prez’s “Missa De Beata Virgine,” John Nesbett’s “Magnificat,” Thomas Tallis’ “Tunes for  Archbishop Parker’s Psalter,” and three pieces by William  Byrd: “Ye Sacred Muses,”  “Tribulationes civitatum,” and “Vigilate.”

The Pacific Symphony, which gives its annual performance of “Messiah” on Dec. 13 this year, is adding a program to its holiday line-up this season, a concert featuring Peter Richard Conte, Grand Court organist at Macy’s department store in Philadelphia, playing the William J. Gillespie Concert Organ. Members of the orchestra’s brass section and vocalist Lisa Vroman also perform on this “Holiday Organ Spectacular” at 8 p.m. Dec. 22 in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

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