SCORES OF SOUND DAY THREE
The most stylistically manic day of this marathon staged by Cornish students, faculty, and "special guests" (who I suspect are Cornish alumni) veers from the Vocal Standards I, Section I (they have a Latin Ensemble too, but that's Friday at 9 pm), who start at 1 pm, to the cryptically christened Ensemble IV at 9 pm. In between are the Seattle Chamber Players' Composition Seminar at 3:30 and Electronic Music at 5:30 pm. Also Fri Dec 5 from 11 am to 9 pm. Kerry Hall at Cornish College, 710 E Roy St, 325-6500, 11 am-9 pm, free.
FRIDAY DECEMBER 5
PATRICIA BARBER
Like another master of modern sprechstimme, David Sylvian, this Chicago-based chanteuse sings, speaks, intones, whispers, and purrs lonely lyrics for lost souls. Also Sat Dec 6 with sets at 8 and 10 pm as well as Sun Dec 7 with sets at 6:30 and 8:30 pm. Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave, 441-9729, sets at 8 and 10 pm, $21.50-$23.50.
SEATTLE COMPOSERS' SALON
A monthly, informal presentation of new music by Seattle composers, the salon features finished works, previews, and works in progress. Emcee Tom Baker has corralled fellow composers David Mesler, Tom Swafford, Doug Palmer, and Keith Eisenbrey, who I'm hoping will play one of his astounding pieces for piano. Soundbridge at Benaroya Hall, Second Ave at Union St, 215-4747, 8 pm, $5. SATURDAY DECEMBER 6
MURDEROUS COPULATION OF BIRDS
This sextet of free improvisers promises "primitive incantations and vibrations in celebration of the dark months with a nod to the erotic tree spirits of medieval Japan." With Gregory Reynolds (alto saxophone), Cristin Miller (voice), Annie Lewandowski (accordion/musical saw), Matt Crane (drums), Tom Swafford (violin), and Serena Tideman (cello). Coffee Messiah, 1554 E Olive Way, 861-8233, 8:30 pm, free.
SUN CITY GIRLS
At its best, this hard-to-classify avant rock/out-jazz combo ranges and sprawls from squalling guitar shrieks to creepy puppet shows to gamelan-inspired percussion drones to the vocalizing Cookie Monster freak-outs ("Oohm na mahyna, oolgley boogely, hootah yeh Mazoh-la") most of us (or am I the only one?) do in the privacy of our bathrooms. Bob's Java Jive, 2102 S Tacoma Way, 253-475-9843, 10 pm, $8.
SUNDAY DECEMBER 7
OPUS 7
This resplendent vocal ensemble, who sounded great in St. James Cathedral several weeks ago, performs Benjamin Britten's Saint Nicolas. This cantata, scored for orchestra, organ, massed choir, and soloists, entails audience participation, so warm up those vocal cords. St. James Cathedral, 804 Ninth Ave, 782-2899, 7:30 pm, $18/$20.
MONDAY DECEMBER 8
UW CHAMBER SINGERS & CHORALE
These two outfits team up to present a passel of choral music. The University Chorale sings Mozart's Vespers along with motets by Busto, Kingsley, and others. The UW Chamber Singers tackle James MacMillan's Cantos Sagrados ("Sacred Songs"), which address political oppression in Latin America (remember Guatemala?) and that bugbear of the Catholic Church in the 1980s, liberation theology. Meany Theater, UW campus, 543-4880, 7:30 pm, $5/$8
