Are you ready? For silver bells and "Nutcracker" suites and sing-along "Messiahs"? For holiday music, plays and dance events to take over every concert hall, church and theater in the vicinity? Well, ready or not, the season is upon us, and the curtain is rising on holiday productions of every imaginable kind.

Following is a chronological rundown of as many events as we could possibly list in this special section. Consider it our holiday gift to you. (No need to reciprocate.)

'NUTCRACKERS'

Ballet Royale Company. 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Nov. 30; 12:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Dec. 1. Jim Rouse Theatre, Wilde Lake High School, 5460 Trumpeter Road, Columbia. $12-$15. 410-997-8443.

Towson University Dance Company. 8 p.m. Dec. 5-7; 3 p.m. Dec. 8. Towson University, Stephens Hall Theatre, 8000 York Road. $10-$15. 410-704-2787.

Harford Dance Theatre. Abbreviated version. 5 p.m. Dec. 6 and 3 p.m. Dec. 7-8. Full-length version. 8 p.m. Dec. 6-7. Harford Community College, Amoss Center, 200 Thomas Run Road, Bel Air. $5-$15. 410-836-4211.

Baltimore School for the Arts. 7 p.m. Dec. 6 and Dec. 13; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 7 and Dec. 14; 2 p.m. Dec. 8 and Dec. 15. Baltimore School for the Arts, Schaefer Ballroom, 712 Cathedral St. $6-$10. 410-234-9765.

Ballet Theatre of Maryland. 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Dec. 7; 3 p.m. Dec. 8 and Dec. 15; 2 p.m. Dec. 14. Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 801 Chase St., Annapolis. $24-$39. 410-263-2909.

Baltimore DanceTech. Scenes from The City Nutcracker. 4 p.m. Dec. 8. West Baltimore United Methodist Church, 5130 Greenwich Ave. $4-$7. 410-945-8397.

Columbia Figure Skating Club. 4:45 p.m. and 6 p.m. Dec. 8 and 15. Columbia Ice Rink, Oakland Mills Village Center, 5876 Thunder Hill Road. $8; free for ages under 3. 410-813-4026.

National Ballet Company. The Nutcracker. 10:30 a.m. Dec. 11-13 and Dec. 16-17; 3 p.m. Dec. 14-15 and Dec. 21; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14. The Ellington Nutcracker. 10:30 a.m. Dec. 18-20; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21. Hallam Theater, Prince George's Community College, 301 Largo Road, Largo. $15-$30. 301-218-9822.

Arabesque Dance Company. Adapted for younger children. 7 p.m. Dec. 13; 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 14; 2:30 p.m. Dec. 15. Howard Community College, Smith Theatre, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia. $6-$10. 410-381-0017.

Baltimore Dance Ensemble. Associated with White Marsh Ballet Academy. 5 p.m. Dec. 14; 3 p.m. Dec. 15. Perry Hall High School, 4601 Ebenezer Road. $5-$10. 410-931-3844.

Baltimore County Youth Ballet. Abbreviated version. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14; 3 p.m. Dec. 15. Sudbrook Arts Centre, 4300 Bedford Road, Pikesville. $10. 410-887-1244.

Ballet Academy of Baltimore. 7 p.m. Dec. 14; 3 p.m. Dec. 15. Goucher College, Kraushaar Auditorium, 1021 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson. $8-$12. 410-337-7974.

The Moscow Ballet. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20-21; 2 p.m. Dec. 21; 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Dec. 22. Morris A. Mechanic Theatre, 25 Hopkins Plaza. $22-$42. 410-752-1200.

Stephanie Powell DanseEnsemble. The City Nutcracker. With Baltimore DanceTech. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20-21. Coppin State College, 2500 W. North Ave. $10. 410-233-1101.

Donetsk Ballet and the Anna Apicella School of Dance. 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Dec. 21; 3 p.m. Dec 22. Dulaney High School, 255 E. Padonia Road, Timonium. $21.50-$31.50. 410-561-1974.

Howard County Ballet. With the Howard County Ballet Orchestra. 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21; 2:30 p.m. Dec. 22. Jim Rouse Theatre, Wilde Lake High School, 5460 Trumpeter Road, Columbia. $13-$20. 410-465-8233.

Harford Ballet Company. 6:30 p.m. Dec. 21; 1:30 p.m. Dec. 22. John Carroll School, 703 Churchville Road, Bel Air. $13-$15. 410-877-3281.

PLAYS

Ebenezer! 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Dec. 21. Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre, 817 St. Paul St. $15. 410-752-1225.

A Christmas Story. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays (and 2 p.m. Dec. 14 and 21). Through Dec. 22. Paragon Theatre, 9 W. 25th St. $15. 410-467-1966.

Belle's Christmas. Children's Playhouse of Maryland. 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Through Dec. 22. (No shows Thanksgiving weekend.) Sheppard Pratt Health System Conference Center, 6501 N. Charles St. $10-$13. 410-321-6595.

Babes in Toyland. 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Nov. 29-Dec. 8. Zion Evangelical Lutheran United Church of Christ, 7140 Golden Ring Road, Essex. $6-$14. 410-491-1472.

Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer. 11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. Nov. 29-Dec. 21. Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre, 817 St. Paul St. $15. 410-752-1225.

Miracle on 34th Street. Nov. 29-Dec. 22. Lorenzo's Timonium Dinner Theatre, 9603 Deereco Road, Timonium. $17-$39. 410-560-1113 for times.

A Way Off Broadway Christmas. Nov. 29-Jan. 19. Way Off Broadway, Willowtree Plaza, Route 40 West, Frederick. $10-$36. 301-662-6600 for times.

A Christmas Carol. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; 3 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. Dec. 6-22. Chesapeake Arts Center, 194 Hammonds Lane, Brooklyn Park. $12-$15. 410-636-6597.

Babes in Toyland. Baltimore Actors' Theatre. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7; 2 p.m. Dec. 8. Kraushaar Auditorium, Goucher College, 1021 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson. $15-$24. 410-337-8519.

My Uncle Scrooge. 8 p.m. Fridays; 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 7 p.m. Sundays. Dec. 13-22. Fell's Point Corner Theatre, 251 S. Ann St. $6-$12. 410-276-7837.

Holiday Magic 2002. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13, 19-20, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 and 21, 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 15 and 22. Key Auditorium, St. John's ColLege, 60 College Ave., Annapolis. $6 and $10. 410-956-0512.

Slay Ride. Do or Die Productions. 8 p.m. Dec. 20-21; 3 p.m. Dec. 22. Chesapeake Arts Center, 194 Hammonds Lane, Brooklyn Park. $16-$20. 410-636-6597.

The Christmas Shoes. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20-22. Severna Park Baptist Church, 506 Benfield Road, Severna Park. Free. 410-647-0765.

CONCERTS

"Traditional Yuletide Music." With Anita Avery, harpsichord and piano; Franca Barton, soprano and cello; Georgeann Lynch, flauto dolce; Tatiana Karpusyuk, violin. 1:30 p.m. Dec. 1. Liriodendron, 520 W. Gordon St., Bel Air. Free. 410-838-3942.

"Advent Lessons and Carols." With combined Catholic choirs of Northeast Baltimore churches. 4 p.m. Dec. 1. St. Ursula Church, 8801 Harford Road, Parkville. Free. 410-661-0600.

The Larks. 11 a.m. Dec. 3. Southwest Senior Center, 100 S. Calhoun St. Free. 410-566-1311.

"Holiday Celebration." Hanukkah program with the Solomon Schecter Day School Second Grade Choir. 1:30 p.m. Dec. 3. Edward A. Myerberg Senior Center, 3101 Fallstaff Road. Free. 410-358-6856.

Loyola College Chorale and Madrigal Singers. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4. Alumni Memorial Chapel, Loyola College, 4501 N. Charles St. Free. 410-617-2449.

"The Sounds of the Season." Peabody Chamber Singers and Peabody Concert Singers. 6 p.m. Dec. 5. Peabody Institute, Griswold Hall, 1 E. Mount Vernon Place. Free. 410-659-8100.

The Canticle Singers of Baltimore. 6:45 p.m. Dec. 5. Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St. Free. 2 p.m. Dec. 8. Broadmead Retirement Community, 13801 York Road, Cockeysville. Free. 5:30 p.m. Dec. 8. Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, 5200 N. Charles St. $5-$10. 410-592-6059.

"Holiday Musical Program." With Villa Julie Chorus and Jazz Ensemble. 8 p.m. Dec. 5. Villa Julie College, Inscape Theatre, 1525 Greenspring Valley Road, Stevenson. $3-$5; free for ages under 5. 410-602-7433.

Towson University's Jazz Ensemble. 8:15 p.m. Dec. 5. Towson University, Center for the Arts Concert Hall, Osler and Cross Campus drives. $5-$10. 410-704-2787.

Reisterstown Senior Center Songbirds. Hanukkah music. Noon Dec. 6. Liberty Senior Center, 3525 Resource Drive, Randallstown. $2. 410-887-0780.

"Festival of Lessons and Carols." With Loyola College Chapel Choir. 5 p.m. Dec. 6. Alumni Memorial Chapel, Loyola College, 4501 N. Charles St. Free. 410-617-2449.

The Gilman Traveling Men. With the Dunbar High Gospel Choir and other choirs. 6 p.m. Dec. 6. The Can Company, 2400 Boston St. Free. 410-558-0525.

"Living Christmas Tree." A musical telling of the Christmas story. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6-8 and Dec. 13-14. Riverdale Baptist Church, 1177 Largo Road, Upper Marlboro. $7-$8. 301-249-9111.

"A Winter Celebration." With Al Petteway, Amy White and Robin Bullock. 8 p.m. Dec. 6. St. John's United Methodist Church, 5315 Harford Road. $15. 410-521-9099.

"Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols." With University of Maryland Men's Chorus, Women's Chorus and the University Chorale. 8 p.m. Dec. 6. University of Maryland, College Park, Memorial Chapel, Regents and Chapel drives. $5-$10. 301-405-5571.

"A Holiday Toyland." The Maryland Symphony Orchestra with the E. Russell Hicks Middle School Chorus and the Potomac Classical Youth Ballet Company. 3 p.m. Dec. 7-8. Maryland Theatre, 21 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown. $8-$15. 301-797-4000.

The Raleigh Ringers. 7 p.m. Dec. 7. First Lutheran Church, 3604 Chatham Road, Ellicott City. $15. 410-465-2977.

Susquehanna Symphony Orchestra. 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Dec. 7. John Carroll School, 703 Churchville Road, Bel Air. $7-$15. 410-838-6465.

"Holiday Madrigal Feast." Presented by the Bach Society of Baltimore. With the Maryland Brass Ensemble. 7:15 p.m. Dec. 7, 13-14. Zion Lutheran Church, City Hall Plaza, Holliday Street. $50 (includes dinner). 410-521-0209.

"Celtic Christmas Celebration." With Keltia. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7. Senior Network and Govans Presbyterian Church, 5828 York Road. Free. 410-323-7131.

Laurel Oratorio Society. 8 p.m. Dec. 7. St. Joseph Catholic Church, 11007 Montgomery Road, Beltsville. $15-$20. 301-490-0232.

Washington Bach Consort. 8 p.m. Dec. 7. Second Presbyterian Church, 4200 St. Paul St. $26. 800-955-5566.

Baltimore Classical Guitar Society Orchestra. Also, Douze Cordes and Nathan Fischer. 8 p.m. Dec. 7. Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive. $15-$20. 410-247-5320.

University of Maryland Chorus. 8 p.m. Dec. 7; 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8. University of Maryland, College Park, Concert Hall, University Boulevard. $5-$20. 301-405-ARTS.

"Homo for the Holidays." 8 p.m. Dec. 7; 3 p.m. Dec. 8. Metropolitan Community Church of Baltimore, 401 W. Monument St. $10 in advance; $12 at the door. 410-558-4692.

"Christmas With the Handel Choir." The Handel Children's Choir and the Handel Choir of Baltimore. 2 p.m. Dec. 8. Scottish Rite Temple, 3800 N. Charles St. $12-$20. 410-366-6544.

"Gallagher Fest." Concert Arts of Baltimore, Loyola College Chapel Choir, Loyola College Chorale & Madrigal Singers. 3 p.m. Dec. 8. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. Benefit for Gallagher Services. $15-$60. 410-783-8000.

Baritone Randal Woodfield. 2 p.m. Dec. 8. First Christian Church, 5802 Roland Ave. Free. 410-435-1506.

"Sing, Choirs of Angels!" With the College of Notre Dame of Maryland's Concert Choir. 3 p.m. Dec. 8. College of Notre Dame of Maryland, 4701 N. Charles St. Free. 410-532-5386.

The Sanctuary Choir of SS. Philip and James Catholic Church. With the Baltimore Men's Chorus. 3 p.m. Dec. 8. SS. Philip and James Catholic Church, 2801 N. Charles St. Free. 410-235-2294.

Children's Chorus of Maryland. 3 p.m. Dec. 8. Towson United Methodist Church, 501 Hampton Lane. $10-$12. 410-494-1480.

Bel Air Community Band. 3 p.m. Dec. 8. Harford Community College, Chesapeake Theater, 401 Thomas Run Road, Bel Air. $1-$5. 410-836-4211.

"Christmas Carols Around the World." With soprano Alina Kozinska, baritone Jozef Surowiec, bass-baritone Andrew Levy, singer Krys Kozinski, the Chancel and Youth Choirs of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and harpist Stephen Belcher. 4 p.m. Dec. 8. St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 11795 Scaggsville Road, Fulton. Free. 301-725-0241.

Chancel Choir. 4 p.m. Dec. 8. Grace United Methodist Church, 5407 N. Charles St. Free. 410-433-6650.

"Candlelight Concert." Annapolis Opera. 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 8. Radisson Hotel, 210 Holiday Court, Annapolis. $32-$35. 410-267-8135.

Greenspring Valley Chamber Orchestra. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10. Villa Julie College, Inscape Theatre, 1525 Greenspring Valley Road, Stevenson. $3-$5; free for ages under 5. 410-602-7433.

"A Scottish Christmas." Fiddler Bonnie Rideout. With Scottish dancers and musicians. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. $28-$48. 410-783-8000.

"Christmas With Choral Arts." Baltimore Choral Arts Society (full chorus and orchestra) with the Jones Falls Express and the Celtic ensemble Greenfire. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10. Basilica of the Assumption, Mulberry and Cathedral streets. $25. 410-523-7070.

Trans Siberian Orchestra. 8 p.m. Dec. 11. D.A.R. Constitution Hall, 18th and D streets Northwest, Washington. $42.50. 410-481-SEAT.

UMBC Concert Choir. 8 p.m. Dec. 11. University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Fine Arts Recital Hall, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Catonsville. Free. 410-455-MUSC.

Liberty Senior Center Chorus. Noon Dec. 12. Liberty Senior Center, 3525 Resource Drive, Randallstown. $2. 410-887-0780.

Vienna Choir Boys. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. $22-$44. 410-783-8000.

The Scottish Rite Singers. 1 p.m. Dec. 13. Primrose Place, 820 S. Caton Ave. Free. 410-566-1311.

Baltimore School for the Arts Chorus. 7 p.m. Dec. 13. Basilica of the Assumption, Mulberry and Cathedral streets. Free. 410-396-1185.

"Evening of Festive Music." Peabody Concert Orchestra, Peabody Chamber Singers, Peabody Concert Singers and Peabody Hopkins Chorus. 8 p.m. Dec. 13. Peabody Institute, Friedberg Hall, 1 E. Mount Vernon Place. $5-$16. 410-659-8100.

"Winter Solstice / Christmas Celebration." Ensemble Galilei. 8 p.m. Dec. 13; 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Dec. 14. St. John's College, McDowell Hall, College Avenue, Annapolis. $16-$20. 410-849-2494.

University of Maryland Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Also, University of Maryland Concert Band and Mighty Sound of Maryland Marching Band. 8 p.m. Dec. 13. University of Maryland, College Park, Concert Hall, University Boulevard. $5-$15. 301-405-ARTS.

"Sleighbell Pops." With the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (conductor Lara Webber), Baltimore City College Choir, Ballet Theatre of Maryland, soprano Kishna Davis. 8 p.m. Dec. 13-14; 3 p.m. Dec. 15. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. $24-$56. 410-783-8000.

"An Evening of Opera and Musical Theatre." With bass-

baritone Phillip Collister, mezzo-soprano Leneida Crawford, baritone Gerald Phillips, baritone Paul Rardin, mezzo-soprano Bette Hankin, baritone William Heim, soprano Ah Matajicka, soprano Laurie Flint and pianist R. Timothy McReynolds. 8:15 p.m. Dec. 13. Towson University, Center for the Arts Concert Hall, Osler and Cross Campus drives. $8-$10. 410-704-2787.

"Merry Tuba Christmas." 3:30 p.m. Dec. 14. Harborplace Amphitheatre, Inner Harbor, between the Light Street and Pratt Street pavilions. Free. 800-HARBOR-1.

"A Handbell Holiday." With the Westminster Ringers. 7 p.m. Dec. 14. McDaniel College, Baker Memorial Chapel, 2 College Hill, Westminster. $5-$7; free for ages under 5. 410-848-5482.

Amahl and the Night Visitors. Municipal Opera Company. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14. Friends of Chamber Music Inc., 1430 Francke Ave., Lutherville. Free. 410-321-0553.

"A Holiday Spectacular." With Maryland Sings. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14. Reisterstown United Methodist Church, 246 Main St. Free. 410-526-7241.

"Beans & Bread Christmas Concert." Benefit for Beans & Bread Outreach Center. The full chorus of the Annapolis Chorale and members of the Annapolis Chamber Orchestra. 8 p.m. Dec. 14. Notre Dame Preparatory School, 815 Hampton Lane, Towson. $12 in advance; $15 at the door; $5 children and students. 410-547-5377.

"A Festival of Lessons and Carols." With the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd Senior Choir. 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Dec. 15. Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1515 Emmorton Road, Bel Air. Free. 410-838-8081.

Harpist Kris Snyder. Also, John Burkhalter, recorder, and Eugene Roan, harpsichord. Noon Dec. 15. Hampton National Historic Site, 535 Hampton Lane, Towson. Free. 410-823-1309.

Chancel Choir of Towson Presbyterian Church and the University Baptist Church Choir. With organist Doris Hamel Eicher and an orchestra. 3 p.m. Dec. 15. Towson Presbyterian Church, 400 W. Chesapeake Ave. Free. 410-823-6500.

AngelSong. 3 p.m. Dec. 15. Our Lady of the Angels Chapel, Charlestown Community, 711 Maiden Choice Lane, Catonsville. Free. 410-247-3400.

"Children's Choir Winter Concert." With the Handel Choir of Baltimore. 4 p.m. Dec. 15. Old Otterbein United Methodist Church, 112 W. Conway St. $5. 410-366-6544.

University of Maryland Chamber Orchestra and Chamber Singers. 7 p.m. Dec. 15. University of Maryland, College Park, Concert Hall, University Boulevard. $5-$20. 301-405-ARTS.

St. David's Singers, Boys' Choir and Girls' Choir. 7 p.m. Dec. 15. St. David's Church, 4700 Roland Ave. $8-$12. 410-467-0476.

Canadian Brass. 8 p.m. Dec. 16. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. $30-$54. 410-783-8000.

"Festival of Lessons and Carols." With the combined choirs of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. 6:30 p.m. Dec. 18. St. Jude Shrine, 308 N. Paca St. Free. 410-685-6026.

"A Christmas Carol." A narration of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol set to music performed by the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra. 8 p.m. Dec. 18; 3 p.m. Dec. 22. Second Presbyterian Church, 4200 St. Paul St. $8-$26. 410-426-0157.

"Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Extraordinaire." 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20. Baltimore Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. $40-$75. 410-481-SEAT.

"Holiday Pops." The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra and guest conductor Robert Moody, soprano Wendi Washington-

Hunt and the All Children's Chorus of Annapolis. 8 p.m. Dec. 20. Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 801 Chase St., Annapolis. $10-$35. 410-263-0907.

"Celtic Holiday Celebration." With Irish button accordionist Billy McComiskey and the Broesler School of Irish Dance; Sue Richards, Celtic harp; Ralph Gordon, cello and bass; Connie McKenna, vocals; Eliot Grasso, uilleann pipes; Maggie Sansone, hammered dulcimer; Andy Thurston, guitar. 8 p.m. Dec. 20. St. John's United Methodist Church, 5315 Harford Road. $18. 410-521-9099.

"Christmas for Kids." Baltimore Choral Arts Society (full chorus) with the Riderwood Elementary School Chorus and the Dunbar Steppers. 11 a.m. Dec. 21. Kraushaar Auditorium, Goucher College, 1021 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson. $10. 410-523-7070.

"Kids' Christmas." With the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Ballet Theatre of Maryland. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dec. 21. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. $18-$25. 410-783-8000.

"Christmas Festival of Lessons and Carols." The Maryland State Boychoir. 7 p.m. Dec. 21; 4 p.m. Dec. 22. The Cathedral Church of St. Matthew, 3400 Norman Ave. $10-$12. 410-668-2003.

Helicon. Folk-music group. 3 p.m. Dec. 22. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. $18-$40. 410-783-8000.

Trans Siberian Orchestra. Classical-rock Christmas music. 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Dec. 26. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. $34-$58. 410-481-SEAT.

Amahl and the Night Visitors. Opera Vivente. 8 p.m. Jan. 3; 2 p.m. Jan. 4-5. Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 811 Cathedral St. $8-$20. 410-547-7997.

'MESSIAHS'

Bishop Cummins choir and orchestra. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1. Bishop Cummins Memorial Church, 2001 Frederick Road, Catonsville. Free. 410-744-3383.

Towson University's University Chorale, Choral Society and University Orchestra. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6-7. Towson University, Center for the Arts Concert Hall, Osler and Cross Campus drives. $10-$15. 410-704-2787.

"Too Hot to Handel: The Gospel Messiah." Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (with conductor Marin Alsop), Morgan State University Choir (with director Nathan Carter), soprano Natalie Oliver-Atherton, mezzo-

soprano Vivian Cherry and tenor Thomas Young. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. $22-$44. 410-783-8000.

Messiah festival. Complete performance of the oratorio. 8 p.m. Dec. 7. Eastport United Methodist Church, 926 Bay Ridge Ave., Annapolis. Free. 410-263-5490.

Sing-along. With the Masterworks Chorale. 4 p.m. Dec. 8. McDaniel College, Baker Memorial Chapel, 2 College Hill, Westminster. $5. 410-848-7949.

"Messiah| cm SUPDLR| for a New Millennium." Coppin State College Concert Choir, with Coppin Dancers, Coppin Players and an orchestra. 5 p.m. Dec. 8. Coppin State College, 2500 W. North Ave. $15. 410-951-3370.

Handel Choir of Baltimore. 7 p.m. Dec. 8. Our Lady of the Angels Chapel, Charlestown Community, 711 Maiden Choice Lane, Catonsville. Free. 410-737-0669. 8 p.m. Dec. 20. Christ Lutheran Church, 701 S. Charles St. $15-$25. 8 p.m. Dec. 21; 7 p.m. Dec. 22. Kraushaar Auditorium, Goucher College, 1021 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson. $15-$25. 410-366-6544.

"Too Hot to Handel." The Morgan State University Choir and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. 7 p.m. Dec. 8. Morgan State University, Murphy Fine Arts Center, Argonne and McCallum drives. $25. 443-885-4440.

"Messiah for a New Millennium." Presented by members of ACT-SO, an NAACP youth group. Coppin State College, 2500 W. North Ave. 5 p.m. Dec. 16. $15. Call 410-366-3302.

Annapolis Chorale. 8 p.m. Dec. 21 (complete work); 3 p.m. Dec. 22 (excerpts). St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Church Circle, Annapolis. $13-$25. 410-263-1906.