BETHELHEM, Pa. — ’Tis the season of songs.
From student-led performances to community choirs, there are numerous ways to celebrate Christmastime in the Lehigh Valley.
Check out these Celtic, jazz and modern performances featuring classical and contemporary music.
Festival of Carols
Central Moravian Church will present its Festival of Carols, a choral and instrumental that features organ prelude, “Of the Father’s Love Begotten,” by Rebecca Lepore, minister of music at the historic church that was founded in 1742.
Additionally, you can hear the church choir on anthems and choruses by Felix Mendelssohn, G.F. Handel, John Rutter and Dan Forrest; the Mainstreet Brass on a new set of Roger Harvey arrangements for Advent; and congregational hymns, including “Morning Star,” a Moravian Christmas tradition.
Tickets: Free
When: 1:30 p.m. Dec. 2
Where: 73 W. Church St., Bethlehem
Info: centralmoravianchurch.org/season/advent-christmas/
Bel Canto in Bethlehem
The Bel Canto Youth Chorus' holiday show includes Mendelssohn’s "He Watching Over Israel," and selections from BWV 61 (with guests from the Bach Festival Orchestra).
The show will begin with a traditional Zimbabwean song of welcome and concludes with the singing of beloved carols.
The youth chorus — consisting of 50 musicians — was founded in 1993 by the Bach Choir of Bethlehem.
The performance will be conducted by Kelly Rocchi and Alaina Swartz.
Tickets: $15, free for students with school ID
When: 4 p.m. Dec. 3
Where: Cathedral Church of the Nativity, 21 Wyandotte St., Bethlehem
Info: bach.org/belcanto
Be merry with the Vespers
For something full of seasonal spirit, Lehigh University Choral Arts Christmas Vespers will present its annual gift to the community.
The performance will be directed by Steven Sametz, with associate director, Hana Cai.
The longstanding holiday show combines two traditional forms of worship in the Moravian Church — the singstunde and the candlelight service.
Tickets: Free. Early arrival is suggested
When: 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Dec 10
Where: Packer Memorial Church, 18 University Drive, Bethlehem
Info: zoellner.cas.lehigh.edu/content/lehigh-university-choral-arts-christmas-vespers
Cheer with Charter Arts
The Charter Arts Vocal Music Department's winter choral concert will feature traditional holiday songs performed by close to 200 student musicians made up of three of the school's choirs.
Tickets: $11 adults, $6 students/children
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 11 and Dec. 12
Where: 321 E. Third St., Bethlehem
Info: showpass.com/winter-choral-concert-3
The 'light' of the Chorale
The Lehigh Valley Chorale will take the stage for "The Light That Leads Us Home," a holiday showcase that mixes modern-day tunes with classics like Antonio Vivaldi's "Gloria" and Morton Lauridsen's "Sure on this Shining Night."
The chorale group, based in Easton, is led by Nick Sienkiewicz, the conductor of the 153-member choir, ages 18-80.
Additionally, the Greenwich Youth Chorus will join the chorale during the show and perform one of their own works.
Tickets: Perferred tickets are $20; general admission tickets are free will (a $10 donation is suggested).
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 and 2 p.m. Dec. 2
Where: First Presbyterian Church, 3231 Tilghman St., Allentown
Info: lvchorale.org/winter-2023-concert-series
Santa and the Symphony
The Allentown Symphony's annual "Holiday Pops" concert will feature Christmas classics, sing-a-long opportunities and a visit from Santa Claus.
Led by conductor Diane Wittry and vocalist Michael Andrew, this year's guest stars include Robert Trexler, the Emmaus High School Chorale, the Accent School of Dance, the O'Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance and the Uilleann Bagpipers.
Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk will deck the halls as the opening speaker.
Tickets: $25 - $72
When: 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16
Where: 23 N. Sixth St., Allentown
Info: https://www.millersymphonyhall.org
Christmas with Bach
The Bach Choir's annual holiday program will consist of Bach's "Magnificat," and the festive "Cantana 63," which he wrote in 1732.
Historically, "Magnificat" was performed in Germany and part of church services on Sundays, and recited in Latin, especially during holidays such as Christmas and Easter.
The Bach Choir, which consists of 95 volunteer singers,is celebrating its 125th year in 2023.
The group was founded by John Frederick Wolle in 1898, nearly 150 years after Bach's death.
Wolle was an organist at central Moravian at a time when Bach was tied to the singing tradition of the Moravians.
A new carol composed especially for the holiday show will feature soloists Molly Quinn, soprano; Nola Richardson, soprano; Luthien Brackett, alto; Dann Coakwell, tenor; and Edmund Milly, bass.
Tickets: $9 - $45
When: 4 p.m. Dec. 9 at First Presbyterian Church, 3231 W. Tilghman St., Allentown and 4 p.m. Dec. 10 at First Presbyterian Church, 2344 Church St., Bethlehem (the concert will be available to stream for $25).
Info: bach.org/christmas2023
Student recital
The Community Music School's holiday show will feature student musicians from beginner to advanced levels.
The intimate recital, which will contain a mix of song and piano, prepares students for future live performances.
Tickets: Free, but donations are suggested to help fund the nonprofit's programs.
When: 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Dec. 10
Where: 1544 Hamilton St., Allentown
Info: cmslv.org/holidayrecital2023
Organ performance
Moravian Historical Society will present a concert with Thomas Dressler, director of music at College Hill Presbyterian Church in Easton.
Dressler will perform a yuletide concert on the 1776 Tannerberg organ.
The Tannerberg piece, in the museum of the Moravian Historical Society, was built by Moravian organ builder David Tannenberg.
Tannenberg arrived in Bethlehem on Nov. 25, 1776, to set up the organ, which was used in the Single Brethren's House in Bethlehem.
Only nine of Tannerberg's organs exist today.
The concert will take place in the museum on the second floor of the Whitefield House.
Tickets: $10
When: 3 p.m. Dec. 3
Where: Moravian Historical Society, 214 E. Center St., Nazareth
Info: tickettailor.com/events/moravianhistoricalsociety
A Creole Christmas
The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, a New Orleans group founded by tuba player Allan Jaffe, will bring some soulful, Southern sounds to the Lehigh Valley.
The jazz troupe will perform original holiday hits, plus favorite Christmas tunes such as "Walking in a Winter Wonderland, and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."
Tickets: $35-$55
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 1
Where: State Theatre Center for the Arts, 453 Northampton St., Easton
Info: statetheatre.org/events/preservation-hall-jazz-band-creole-christmas
Celtic candlelight
You can warm up at the Gov. Wolf Historical Society's holiday event, which will feature classic Celtic Christmas songs by the Seasons.
The family band is based in Harrisburg and performs with the Celtic harp, guitar, fiddle and hammered dulcimer.
There will be a dessert buffet and light refreshments served.
The concert will take place in the newly restored Wolf Academy.
Reservations are recommended and seating is limited.
Tickets will be available at the venue Dec. 2 and 3 during the holiday history event.
Call or email for tickets at 610-737-3000 or gwhs1958@gmail.com.
Tickets: $20 non-members, $15 members
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 10
Where: 6600 Jacksonville Road, Bath
Info: www.govwolf.org
Old time charm
The banjo, fiddle and dulcimer will take center stage at the Bell Tower's first-holiday concert.
You can enjoy traditional country tunes by local musicians Norm Williams and Tom and Betty Drunkenmiller.
Williams is known for his old-time Appalachian fiddle and gospel songs and tunes as well as other folk styles.
The Drukenmillers, with their son, Nate, began performing and recording in the 1990s.
Alongside Williams, the couple have made six recordings, most recently "Bound to Change."
Tickets: $10
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 15
Where: Belltower Cultural Center, 2904 Church Road, Bangor
Info: belltowerculturalcenter.org
