There is a wide range of holiday musical events occurring over the next few weeks, with something for every taste. Here are some of the highlights, in a semi-chronological order:

Dueling Nutcrackers

Tchaikovsky’s beloved holiday ballet The Nutcracker hits the local boards in two very different stagings. The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and Shea’s Performing Arts Center will offer the original fairy tale with lavish sets and the principal dancers of acclaimed BalletMet in two performances on Saturday, November 24, and one performance on Sunday, November 25, in the beautifully restored Shea’s Theatre. Conductor Robert Franz will lead the musicians of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra in a live performance of this exciting musical score. For more information visit bpo.org or phone 885-5000.

The Center for the Arts at UB will host the American Academy of Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker in two performances on Saturday, December 1, and one on Sunday, December 2, in the Mainstage Theatre. The production at UB will feature a quartet of principal dancers from the New York City, Miami and Royal Ballets, performing to a recorded score, along with special effects, such as an onstage hot air balloon. For more information visit: ubcfa.org or phone 645-2787.

For generations of children, The Nutcracker has been their first taste of live, classical performances. Many young children have also participated over the years as dancers in the work’s large ballet troupe, including more than a few who have gone on to study ballet professionally. After a recent rehearsal, two 10-year-old “mice,” Tracy Werick and her friend Isabella Kowalski, both of Buffalo, were tired but looking forward to dancing before an audience on the stage of Shea’s for the first time. According to Tracy, “I’m scared, but I’m really excited and it’s a lot of fun,” which nicely sums up the charms of this holiday tradition.

The Messiah

For many classical music lovers, the Christmas season would not be complete without attending a performance of Handel’s Messiah. While many local churches offer their own sing-along versions of the oratorio, the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus’s performance at Our Lady of Victory Basilica on Ridge Road in Lackawanna on Sunday, December 2, at 7pm, is not to be missed. Soloists Jill Masters Neuhaus (soprano), Katy Miner (mezzo), Jeffrey Thompson (tenor) and Jonathan Michie (baritone) will join the Western New York Chamber Orchestra and the BPO Chorus, all under the baton of conductor Robert Shoup.

For more information visit bpchorus.org or phone 833-6642.

A Polish Christmas

On Tuesday, November 27, and Wednesday, November 28, Mazowsze, the State Song and Dance Ensemble of Poland, will offer a traditional Polish Christmas performance at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre. From its first concert in 1948, Mazowse has served as the international embodiment of the spirit of the Polish people. A huge troupe of more than 100 singers, dancers and musicians make use of many hundreds of costumes to “fill your senses with a thrilling kaleidoscopic display of dazzling movement, vibrant color and stunning beauty,” for what the New York Times called “a very special theatrical experience.”

For more information visit sheas.org or phone 852-5000.

The Freudig Singers

For quite a few years, the Freudig Singers of Western New York have offered a pair of Christmas concerts, with a twist, at two different locations. After each event, the audience is invited to attend a reception where delectable pies are served. The events have proven so popular that the group is expanding its series to a third venue. Director Roland E. Martin will lead the singers, accompanied by Mark DiGiampaolo, in a program featuring medieval and Renaissance music on the Nativity, as well as compositions by Elgar and Sibelius in their anniversary years, along with contemporary favorites. Remember, there is no such thing as too much pie. Friday, November 30, 7:30pm, at Salem Lutheran Church, 10 McClellan Circle (at McKinley Parkway), Buffalo. Saturday, December 1, 7:30pm, at Kenmore Presbyterian Church, 2771 Delaware Avenue. Sunday, December 2, 4pm, at Orchard Park Presbyterian Church, 4369 South Buffalo Road. Ticket prices—pie included—are $10 in advance/$12 at the door, $8 in advance/$10 at the door for students and seniors. For more information, phone 667-7088.

A Celtic Christmas

Tomaseen Foley’s A Celtic Christmas comes to the Mainstage Theatre of the Center for the Arts at UB for one performance on Wednesday, December 5, at 7:30pm. Storyteller Tomaseen Foley, who was born on a small, remote farm in the west part of Ireland, directs his own recreation of the joy and innocence of the night before Christmas. The performance features the Grammy award winning guitarist William Coulter along with Elis Kennedy, a traditional Irish vocalist and musician from Gaelic-speaking West Kerry. The American-born Kathleen Keane, a virtuoso on fiddle and the tin whistle as well as a champion stepdancer and choreographer (the Chicago Tribune nominates her “one of the world’s finest Irish fiddlers”), will be joined by Brian Bigley on uilleam pipes, whistle, low whistle and flute, as well as the world-champion Irish dancer Philip Brady. For more information visit ubcfa.org or phone 645-2787.

Irish Tenor (I)

On Thursday, December 6, Rockwell Hall at Buffalo State College will feature John McDermott and Friends: A Family Christmas, a program of traditional favorites. McDermott was one of the original Irish tenors featured on the PBS TV special that launched an international phenomenon and resulted in three US tours along with a gold record. John left the group when his mother died, but re-joined in 2004 when Ronan Tynan departed to concentrate on a solo career. McDermott, who is a Canadian citizen, has been committed to the causes of both Canadian and American veterans. The Congressional Medal of Honor Society awarded the Bob Hope Award, one of its highest accolades, to McDermott in recognition of this commitment. For more information visit buffalostate.edu/pac or phone 878-3005.

Buffalo Philharmonic Pops

This year, the HSBC Holiday Pops features a new production called “Traditions of the Holidays” in three performances led by conductor Robert Franz: Friday, December 7, at 8pm, Saturday, December 8, at 8pm and Sunday, December 9, at 2:30pm at Kleinhans Hall. In addition to the many favorite choral selections sung by the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, the concerts will feature local Buffalo American Idol, Paul Safy. He will sing the Mel Torme/Henry Mancini version of “A Christmas Song” and the Irving Berlin/Mancini “White Christmas,” along with the song “Believe” from The Polar Express. Sue O’Neil from STAR 102.5 FM will be the narrator for “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” and the orchestra will offer favorite instrumental selections before concluding with the ever-popular Christmas sing-along. These events are always a family favorite. For more information visit bpo.org or phone 885-5000.

Buffalo Philharmonic Classics Series

JoAnn Falletta will conduct two performances in the M&T Bank Classics Series, on Friday, December 14, at 10:30am, and Saturday, December 15, at 8pm. The interestingly conceived and wide-ranging program travels from the baroque era of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, with Michael Ludwig as soloist in the Winter Concerto, and Corelli’s exquisite Christmas Concerto, to the 20th-century sleigh rides of Leroy Anderson and Sergei Prokofiev. Stops along the way include excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, Respighi’s Magi, Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitor and Waldteufel’s Skaters Waltz. For the first time ever, both concerts will be recorded live, for a new CD that will be ready for pick-up before Christmas, on December 21. For more information visit bpo.org or phone 885-5000.

BPO Wendy’s Family Series

On Sunday, December 16, at 2:30pm, Paul Ferington will lead the BPO in a concert called A Visit From St. Nick. Dancers from the Greater Buffalo Youth Ballet will join sopranos Leah Schneider, Amy Teal and Christine Vallas in a performance of excerpts from the much-loved, magical Hansel and Gretel. In addition, jugglers from the Buffalo Juggling Club will no doubt add a special visual flavor to the orchestra’s performance of favorites such as Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride and Khachaturian’s Sabre Dance. After the Christmas sing-along, there will be an actual visit from St. Nick himself, so be sure to bring your camera to take photos of Santa with your children after the concert. For more information visit bpo.org or phone 885-5000.

Irish Tenor (II)

On Sunday, December 30, at 7:30pm, the BPO in conjunction with the Buffalo Sabres Foundation will host A Night with Ronan Tynan and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Since he performed in a sold-out concert at Shea’s a few years back as one of the hugely popular Irish tenors, Ronan Tynan has embarked on a successful solo career. Tynan’s program, under the baton of JoAnn Falletta, will include popular favorites such as “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” “Into the Fire” and “The Impossible Dream” from Man of La Mancha, as well as Irish folk songs such as “Fields of Athenry” and “Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears.” Tynan has made many appearances singing the National Anthem, both at Yankee Stadium on a regular basis and occasionally in HSBC Arena for the Buffalo Sabres. Though nothing has yet been announced, given the fact that Tynan is performing in Buffalo on December 30, it seems a safe bet that he will sing the National Anthem at Ralph Wilson Stadium for the Ice Bowl on January 1. For more information visit bpo.org or phone 885-5000.