SING ALONG MESSIAH
Apart from simple chants at sporting events ("Nah nah nah\Hey hey hey\Good-bye..."), there is hardly any public music-making that is both communal and open to all. Here's your chance to try Handel's Messiah, which remains largely invulnerable to the wobbly notes and laggard rhythms of so-so singers like me. University Unitarian Church, 6556 35th Ave NE, 525-8400, 7 pm, $7-$10.
SATURDAY DECEMBER 28
CHRISTMAS IN ROME
The Tudor Choir sings Palestrina's Christmas mass for double-choir, Missa Hodie Christus natus est ("Today Christ is born"), as well as Christmas motets by Josquin Desprez, Jean Mouton, and the Spanish composer Tomás Luis de Victoria, all of which were in the repertory of the Sistine Chapel circa 1620. Also, violinists Ingrid Matthews and Julie Andrijeski play music for two violins by the prolific Italian composer Girolamo Frescobaldi. Also Sun Dec 29 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Medina at 3 pm. St. Mark's Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave E, 323-9415, 8 pm, $15-$22.
KRAUSS/HORVITZ QUINTET
NYC-based alto saxophonist Briggan Krauss reunites with keyboardist Wayne Horvitz for a night of propulsive jazz-rock skronk. For those of us with fond memories of Horvitz's early-'90s group Pigpen, this gig should be smokin'. The Rainbow, 722 NE 45th St, 634-1761, 10 pm, $8.MONDAY DECEMBER 30
SOUND OF THE BRUSH
Someone with experience in Eriksonian psychology and new music needs to write a monograph on the birth, growth, and dissolution of various new music series in Seattle. All I know is that they tend to vanish all too soon, so go check this one out before it disappears. The current installment of this weekly series devoted to freely improvised music features Portland's Doug Haning on keyboards, Adam Diller on reeds, bassist Marc Collins of the much-missed ...kagel... and Mike Marlin on banjo. Chamber Theater, 915 E Pine St, fourth floor, 325-8773, 9 pm, free-will donation.
TUESDAY DECEMBER 31
SEATTLE SYMPHONY
Gerry Schwarz, the Seattle Symphony Chorale, and the Seattle Symphony ring in New Year's with the 8th and 9th symphonies of Beethoven. Could any two masterpieces by the same composer be so dissimilar? The 8th is an elfin marvel of economy and drive while the triumphant 9th leaves me wanting to saddle up and ride into battle. In case others share such ill-timed martial thoughts, HB Radke and the Jet City Swingers--along with a few jeroboams of champagne--will smooth out any savage sentiments after the concert with a New Year's countdown. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St, 215-4747, 8 pm, $65-$150.
NEW YEAR'S AT ST. JAMES
Despite the late start time of 11 pm, this all-Handel program will jolt any set of sleepy ears awake. Cathedral organist Joseph Adam performs Handel's Organ Concerto in B-Flat, op. 4 and the St. James Cathedral Cantorei and the Cathedral Chamber Orchestra tackle the hair-raising Dixit Dominus for choir, soloists, and orchestra. St. James Cathedral, 804 Ninth Ave, 382-4874, 11 pm, $22.
