Holiday's joyful noises echo across Fox Valley

Forget that piped-in, tired Christmas music you hear at shopping malls.

The real way to get into the holiday spirit is to hear it live.

And luckily, here in the Fox Valley, there are many options for doing so.

Instrumental. Vocal. Soloists, Choruses. Sing-alongs.

Whatever your preference, you'll find it here. Pick your favorite, head out and enjoy the sounds of the season.

Holiday Constellation Concert: On Thursday, Dec. 11, Elgin High School band, choral and orchestra students combine to perform Holiday Constellation Concert at 7 p.m. at the school, 1200 Maroon Drive. Admission is $1 per student, $2 per adult, and $6 per family.

Larkin concert: On Thursday, Dec. 11, Larkin High orchestra students present their Holiday Concert at 7:30 p.m. in the school auditorium, 1475 Larkin Ave., Elgin. Tickets are $1 for students and senior citizens, $2 per adult, and $5 per family.

Holiday Sing: On Thursday, Dec. 11, third- to sixth-grade students at Nature Ridge Elementary School will present their Holiday Sing at 7 p.m. at South Elgin High School, 760 E. Main St.

Recorder concert: On Thursday, Dec. 11, the Highland Elementary School Recorder Club, made up of students in fourth to sixth grade, will present a holiday concert at 7 p.m. in the gym, 190 Melrose St., Elgin.

Advent Organ Recitals: The public is invited to attend the annual Advent Organ Recital Series at the First Congregational Church in Huntley. The second recital at 12:10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12 will be performed by Phyllis Connelly. The final recital at 12:10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19 will be performed by Michael Surratt, organist and director of music ministries at the Union Church of Hinsdale. The recitals are on a free will offering basis. Refreshments follow each recital. The church is at Main and Church streets in Huntley. For details, call (847) 669-3691.

Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra: Get into the spirit of the season with the annual holiday pops concert with the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 12 at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., downtown Crystal Lake. Tickets are $43 and $40. Tickets can be purchased online at rauecenter.org or by calling the box office at (815) 356-9212.

Heartland Voices: The holidays are not complete without Heartland Voices' "Home Is Where The Heart Is," festive concerts filled with holiday music for the entire family. Performances are at 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 at the First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland Ave. in Elgin. Children who bring personal care products, coloring books, or drawing supplies for the children of the Community Crisis Center will be admitted free of charge.

For tickets, call the Heartland Voices at (847) 429-9486, or visit heartlandvoices.org. Tickets are also available at the door.

The Lettermen Christmas: The Letterman Christmas will be performed at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 at The Hememns, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Tickets are $45 for Golden Circle, $35 for main floor and $25 for balcony. Call (847) 931-5900.

Sing-Along Messiah: Voices in Harmony and McHenry County College's choir present the annual Sing-Along Messiah. Handel's great masterwork is presented with a 25-piece orchestra and excellent soloists at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14 at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., downtown Crystal Lake. Projections of beautiful calligraphy by Timothy Botts on the texts being sung have been a meaningful addition to this holiday tradition. Tickets can be purchased online at rauecenter.org or by calling the box office at (815) 356-9212.

Christmas cantata: On Sunday, Dec. 14, the youth and children's choirs will present "The Toymaker's Shop" cantata at 9 and 10:45 a.m. services at First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St., Crystal Lake. The cantata's script and lyrics were written by the late Nancy Lyons, a church member. Original music and carol arrangements were composed by the church's organist, Barbara Thorsen. For details, call the church office at (815) 459-6010 or visit FCCCrystalLake.org.

Christmas Brass: "Christmas Brass" will be performed at 10:15 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 14 at Elgin Bible Church, 1580 E. Chicago St. in Elgin. A 20-member instrumental brass group, led by Ken Frizzane, will enhance the worship. The event is free; the public is invited to attend. For information, call (847) 888-1978.

Baby's First Christmas: The children and youth of Fox Valley Baptist Church and Griffin Christian School jointly present the musical "Baby's First Christmas" at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14 at the church and school, 16N562 Vista Lane in East Dundee. Admission is free. For information, call (847) 428-5413 or visit griffinchristianschool.org.

A Christmas Carol: Kindergarten to fourth-grade students will present this year's musical, "A Christmas Carol: Scrooge in Bethlehem" at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, in the gym at St. Margaret Mary school, 119 S. Hubbard, Algonquin. The fourth-grade students are in charge if the show this year. For details, e-mail Tracy Walsh, ptwalsh659@sbcglobal.net.

"The Nutcracker:" Tchaikovsky's unforgettable music, emotional dancing and lavish costumes will be sure to entertain while young dancers add charm to the performance as they partner with dancing professionals from around the world at 7 p.m. Dec. 18-19; 3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 20; and 3 p.m. Dec. 21 at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., downtown Crystal Lake. Tickets are $25 and $22. Tickets can be purchased online at rauecenter.org or by calling the box office at (815) 356-9212.

Christmas Splendor: The Elgin Choral Union will present "Christmas Splendor" at 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20 at Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Tickets are $23 for adults, $18 for seniors, $15 for students and groups of 10 or more and $5 Children under 10 with adult admission purchase online. Tickets are available at (847) 622-0300 or visit www.elgin.edu.

Joy to the World: A Community Christmas Carol Singalong will be held at 5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 21 at First Congregational Church of Elgin, 256 E. Chicago St., featuring The Blue Tulip Wranglers and other musical accompanists. Cost is $10 per person; $20 per family. Proceeds to benefit PADS of Elgin and the FCC Renovation Fund. For details, call (847) 741-4045 or visit www.fcc-elgin.org.