Music

The LA Phil is decking the Walt Disney Music Hall with seasonal celebrations throughout the month. As of press time, concerts with Leslie Odom Jr on December 1 and Jennifer Hudson on December 18 were nearly sold out, but many more delights await from major artists including Brahms with Zubin Mehta December 6, 7 and 8.  Renowned Greek violinist Leonidas Kavakos captures Brahms’ desire for lyrical perfection in the composer’s Violin Concerto, followed by Brahms’ romantic Second Symphony, featuring one of the composer’s most affecting melodies. Two Holiday Sing-Along concerts on December 14 hosted by Melissa Peterman (TV’s Young Sheldon and Baby Daddy) invite revelers to join in song alongside a jazz combo, a choir, and the pipe organ in this joyous annual tradition. The Grammy-winning “orchestra of voices” known as Chanticleer arrives December 17 for a magical night. From the candlelit chant procession to the triumphant gospel finale, Chanticleer performs a cappella arrangements of some of the world’s greatest and most moving Christmas music. A holiday favorite, Home Alone In Concert, December 21-22 features composer John Williams’ charming score performed live to picture, conducted by David Newman. Macaulay Culkin stars as the young boy who’s accidentally left behind when his family leaves for Christmas vacation, and who must defend his home against two bungling thieves in this heart-warming comedy classic. Jazz up your holidays with Arturo Sandoval on December 23 as the multiple-Grammy-winner makes it a jumping, jiving, jingling night at Disney Hall, performing a program of holiday favorites.

Details on these shows and more, click here.

The holiday spirit shines brightly throughout December at the gorgeous Soraya Center for the Performing Arts on the CSUN campus in Northridge with a dazzling line up of festive events. Nochebuena: A Christmas Spectacular returns for 2 shows December 8 and 9 with Mariachi Pueblo Viejo joining Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles to celebrate the vibrancy of Mexico through music, dance, and sumptuous traditional costumes. On December 12, tap shoes kick pointe shoes aside in The Nutcracker Suite, a version of the holiday classic set to Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s 1960 reimagining of Tchaikovsky’s score. Enjoy the timeless melodies and swinging arrangements that made the Glenn Miller Orchestra an icon of the Big Band era with a December 14 concert featuring beloved holiday classics reimagined in the orchestra’s signature style. With spirited brass sections and lush saxophone solos, In the Holiday Mood celebrates the magic and nostalgia of the holiday season in the inimitable American style.  Tony Award®-winner (Miss Saigon) and Disney Legend (Aladdin and Mulan) Lea Salonga brings her soaring vocals to the stage on December 15 with Sounding Joy: The Holiday Tour, sure to bring a sense of holiday magic to all ages. The Grammy©-nominated African American vocal ensemble known around the world for its blended voices, vocal improvisations, and choral-stacked spiritual/gospel and jazz traditions, Sweet Honey In the Rock continues its 50th Anniversary tour at The Soraya with a powerful celebration of the “HolyDays” on December 19.

For tickets and details, click here.

On the night of June 6, 1999, Kristin Chenoweth was beamed into homes all across America and around the world on the annual Tony Awards telecast. She performed “My New Philosophy,” a song she had been delighting audiences with eight times a week on Broadway in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown. Approximately two minutes after finishing the number, she won that year’s Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. I remember sitting in front of the television that night and thinking, a star is born!

She has conquered every performance discipline — theatre, feature films, television, radio, recordings, concerts. She has appeared in seven Broadway shows. Her first, Kander & Ebb’s Steel Pier, was in 1997 (winning her a Theatre World Award for Outstanding Broadway Debut), and then came Charlie Brown. In 2003 she received wide critical and popular acclaim for originating the role of Glinda in Wicked, a now legendary musical that 25 years later (!) is still playing to packed houses on Broadway. Her list of television and film credits is also extraordinary … literally too long (and ever-growing) to enumerate here!

LA Opera will be hosting Chenoweth’s magical holiday concert at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Saturday, December 14, at 7:30pm. She’ll be performing classic show tunes and holiday hits, accompanied by the LA Opera Orchestra with Mary-Mitchell Campbell conducting. Give yourself this Christmas treat. You will not be disappointed!

For tickets and more, click here.

This season, The Music Center in Los Angeles presents a festive lineup of unforgettable events that capture the joy and magic of the holidays. The celebration kicks off with the iconic Tree Lighting Ceremony at Grand Park (Dec. 2), where the night sparkles with live music, performances, and the dazzling lighting of the grand holiday tree, filling Downtown LA with seasonal cheer. Tip: Get there early and enjoy a free cup of hot chocolate and cookies!

For a magical concert experience, The Music Center will feature star-studded performances by Leslie Odom Jr. (Dec. 9), Kristin Chenoweth (Dec. 14), and Jennifer Hudson (Dec. 19), each bringing their powerhouse vocals to the stage for unforgettable shows. For a nostalgic cinematic and musical experience, Home Alone will be screened live with a full orchestra (Dec. 22) performing John Williams’ iconic score while the film plays, evoking memories of childhood Christmases. Additionally, there will be numerous choral performances, including some sing-alongs, where audiences can join in and fill the air with joyful yuletide songs.

For a truly spectacular showcase of L.A.’s rich cultural diversity, the free 65th Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration (Dec. 24) will offer an extraordinary array of performances by 28 L.A.-based artists, including choral groups, dance troupes, and music ensembles. With something for everyone—such as a circus act and marionette performance—the celebration promises to delight both in-person audiences at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and those tuning in from home via PBS SoCal. And after the festivities, the annual Grand Park’s New Year’s Eve LA celebration will ring in 2024 with live entertainment, food, and the iconic midnight countdown! This season is sure to be extra merry and bright!

With so much more to experience, be sure to click here for additional event details and to secure tickets.