The Seattle Symphony's Holiday Pops series has all the hits from "Jingle Bells" to "Sleigh Ride" (Dec 2-11, see www.seattlesymphony.org for details). The much-lauded Roosevelt High School Jazz Band rolls through the Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn Jazz Nutcracker (Sat Dec 4 at 7:30 pm and Sun Dec 5 at 2 pm, Recital Hall at Benaroya, 292-2787, $10/$15 ), a swinging adaptation of Tchaikovsky's ballet music.
Seattle Choral Company sings early American Christmas music by William Billings (1746-1800), shape note carols of the 18th century, the usual tunes, and the jazzy "Santa Through the Swing Years" (Sat Dec 4 at 2 and 8 pm, Meany Theater, UW Campus, 363-1100, $10-$24). The Pacifica Children's Chorus sings holiday songs from around the world (Sat and Sun Dec 4 and 5 at 3 pm, MOHAI, call 527-9095 for ticket info) while the Rainier Chorale promises "classical selections, a small French cantata, some popular holiday songs, and some lighter pieces" (Sat Dec 4 at 7:30 pm and Sun Dec 5 at 2 pm, Kent United Methodist Church, 835-8888, $12/$14).
Seattle Pro Musica's "Northern Lights" showcases music from the Baltic and Nordic region (Sun Dec 5 at 2:30 and 7:30 pm, Town Hall, 781-2766, $10-$21). For "This Night" Opus 7 features a premiere by the fine choral composer John Muehleisen and the Marienlieder by Johannes Brahms (Sun Dec 5 at 7:30 pm, St. James, 782-2899, students pay as able/$20). CarolFest has lined up six choirs for processionals, spoken word segments, an audience sing-along, and yes, carols (Mon Dec 6 at 7:30 pm, Meany Theater, 543-4880, $8/$10). CHRISTOPHER DeLAURENTI
