Alber xmas 2016 featured header

Conspirare Christmas 2015. Conspirarehttp://conspirare.org/event/conspirare-christmas-2016/. Accessed on November 30, 2016. 

KMFA 89.5 has a great lineup of holidays specials on our airwaves to get you in that joyful mood, but we'd also love to point out some magnificent live and homegrown performances throughout the month of December. Holiday cheer is practically guaranteed, with no input needed from Jacob Marley or the Ghost of Christmas Past!

1. Ballet Austin's production of The Nutcracker:

Clara and her magic prince, dancing snowflakes, and plenty of sweets! Children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews will revel in the enchanting story, colorful costumes and the artistry of the dance in Ballet Austin's presentation of Tchaikovsky's familiar music performed live by the Austin Symphony Orchestra! December 3-23 at the Long Center!

2. Handel's Messiah with the Austin Symphony and Chorus Austin:

Handel might have been a bit baffled (though gratified!) to learn that his oratorio is entwined with the Christmas season for so many of us. The Austin Symphony and Chorus Austin revive the tradition with their performance on December 6 at Hyde Park Baptist Church. And for those of us who have to fight the urge to sing along during Messiah (guilty!), Chorus Austin and conductor Ryan Heller present their popular 'Sing it yourself Messiah' on December 3!

3. Conspirare Christmas with Matt Alber

Austin's own Grammy® award winning vocal ensemble and their director Craig Hella Johnson bring audiences a seamless blend of pop, classical, folk, and traditional Christmas favorites to celebrate love, hope, and renewal. West coast singer-songwriter Matt Alber and percussionist Thomas Burritt collaborate on this performance. Tickets are still available for the concert at the Long Center on December 5.

4. Texas Early Music Project: An Early Christmas

Texas Early Music Project and director Daniel Johnson present their popular whirlwind tour of European music spanning six centuries! Singers and instrumentalists present a captivating mix of familiar and lesser-known sounds with arrangements for solo voices, small chorus, harp, violin, flute, mandolin, viols, and lute. Join them for one of three performances, December 9-11!

5. Repeat the Sounding Joy! Christmas with Ensemble VIII

Ensemble VIII gathers eight of the finest voices in the country to perform vibrant medieval carols juxtaposed with inspiring multi-voice settings of favorite Christmas texts. Dr. James Morrow conducts two Austin performances, December 15 and 16.