Written By Karen Kohn
Wake up your holiday cheer with a rousing big band sound, step back in time to the harmonies of a barbershop chorus or thrill to the heights of Vivaldi’s “Gloria”.Whatever your musical tastes, Carroll County offers a wide range of live holiday music. Here is a sampling:
A Month of Music
Enjoy a variety of musical performances while holiday shopping in December at the Town Mall of Westminster. The month of concerts will feature the Holiday Horns, the Old Line Statesmen Barbershop Chorus, the 12 Bassoons of Christmas, local student ensembles, church and community choirs, performances by dance troops, a Double Dutch group and more. Call 410-857-0300.
December 1
Carroll Singers’ Celebration of Carols The 55-member Carroll Singers will perform “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” a Celebration of Carols with traditional music of the holidays under the direction of Beverly Mauck at Westminster High School at 7:30 p.m.
Winter Holiday Orchestra and Choral Concert The Westminster Symphony Orchestra and the Masterworks Chorale of Carroll County will present a winter concert featuring Vivaldi’s Gloria and Mozart’s Sleigh Ride. The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Carroll Community College Scott Center Theatre. Call 410-871-3371.
December 2
Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Enjoy the tree lighting at Routes 32 and 75, along with entertainment by the New Windsor Middle School. Refreshments served afterwards at the Community Meeting Room at the Carroll County Library Headquarters Building. Call 410-635-6575.
December 3, 4 & 5
A “Charlie Brown Christmas” Topped with Live Jazz The Carroll Arts Center pairs the animated film, Charlie Brown’s Christmas with the Vince Guaraldi jazz score performed live by the Eric Byrd Trio. The trio will be joined by young singers from the community who will perform the vocals of the “Charlie Brown” score. Call 410-848-7272.
December 4
McDaniel College Holiday Band Concert The concert band of McDaniel College will present a winter holiday concert at the WMC Alumni Hall at 7 p.m. The concert will feature Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson, What Child is This? (also known as Greensleeves) by Alfred Reed, music from the movie The Polar Express, and other selections.Call 410-857-2550.
December 5
The 8th Annual Big Band Merry Christmas The annual Big Band Merry Christmas features 18 members from around the area, along with guest performances from nine-year-old cornetist Geoffrey Gallante, members of the Children’s Chorus of Carroll County and the Old Line Statesmen Barbershop Chorus. The concert will be held at Westminster High School at 7:30 p.m. (snow date Dec. 9) and will benefit Access Carroll and the Carroll County Public Schools Foundation. Tickets will be available starting Oct. 18 at local music stores, the Carroll Arts Council and P&C Bank branches.
Christmas on Main Street Downtown Sykesville opens its doors for the holidays from 3-9 p.m. with live holiday music and plenty of refreshments. Stay for the town Christmas tree lighting and caroling. Call 410-795-8959.
Taneytown Christmas Tree Lighting and Choral Concert The Taneytown Police Department will host the traditional Christmas tree lighting at 6 p.m. A choral concert will follow with familiar holiday songs. Call 410-751-1100.
December 9
Old Line Statesmen Barbershop Chorus Concert The Carroll County Public Library in Westminster will host the Old Line Statesmen Barbershop Chorus at 7 p.m., featuring favorite holiday songs for the whole family. Call 410-861-6165.
December 10
Karaoke Karoling Karaoke Karoling from 5-7 p.m. at the Carroll Arts Center in conjunction with the opening of the “Gallery of Gifts.” Call 410-848-7272.
December 11
Carroll Community College Holiday Concert The Concert Choir of Carroll Community College will present its winter holiday concert under the direction of George Wilkerson. Traditional seasonal music will highlight the show along with featuring the Vocal Jazz Ensemble directed by Rebecca Bell. The concert will be held in the Scott Center for the Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m. Call 410-386-8575.
December 12
Westminster Ringers Handbell Ensemble Winter Concert The Westminster Ringers Handbell Ensemble presents “Seasons Greetings by Special Delivery” at 7:30 p.m. at Carroll Community College Scott Center Theatre. Featuring Blue Christmas, Farandole, Go Tell It on the Mountain, Up on the Housetop, Sleigh Ride and more. Call 410-848-5482 or www.thewestminsterringers.org
December 13
24th Annual Winter Celebration Concert The Children’s Chorus of Carroll County, a choir of children in grades 2-12, under the direction of Diane Jones, will present a winter holiday concert at Baker Memorial Chapel at McDaniel College at 3 p.m. The concert will also feature guest singers of the Old Line Statesmen Barbershop Chorus. Call 410-751-5361.
Springfield Concert Series: Vivaldi Gloria and Messiah A string quartet will accompany a combined chorus singing the full Vivaldi Gloria and select choruses from Handel’s Messiah. Directing will be conductors Gailyn Gwin and Rose. Participating choirs are the Springfield Presbyterian Church Choir, the Oakland Presbyterian Church Choir and the South Carroll Choral Society. The concert will be held at the Springfield Presbyterian Church in Sykesville from 3-5 p.m. with a reception after the concert. Call 410-549-1582.
December 19
Annual Holiday Concert with Walt Michael & Company Common Ground on the Hill Roots Music Concert Series presents its annual holiday music concert by Walt Michael and Company The concert will be held at the Carroll Arts Center in Westminster from 8-10 p.m. Call 410-857-2771.
