Do-It-Yourself “Messiah”: The audience is the chorus in this popular audience-participation version of Handel’s beloved oratorio, returning for its 41st season. Stanley Sperber conducts the volunteer orchestra, professional soloists and … you. 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St.; $15; 312-334-7777, www.harristheaterchicago.org or www.imfchicago.org
Bella Voce: The chamber choir’s annual holiday concerts bring a distinctive mix of traditional carols and Renaissance polyphony. Andrew Lewis conducts. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, St. Procopius Abbey, 5601 College Road, Lisle, and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Oak Park Arts Center, Hemingway Theater, 200 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park; $35-$45, $20 for students; 877-755-6277, www.bellavoce.org
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center: The elite New York ensemble’s annual marathon performance of Bach’s six “Brandenburg” concertos has become a fixture of the holiday season in downtown Chicago. Here are the “Brandenburgs” once again, played by a newly shuffled group of CMSLC musicians. 7:30 p.m. Monday, Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St.; $35-$125; 312-334-7777, www.harristheaterchicago.org
Chamber Opera Chicago: Victoria Bond conducts the world premiere of her children’s opera “The Miracle of Hanukkah,” double-billed with Gian Carlo Menotti’s perennially popular “Amahl and the Night Visitors.” 3 p.m. Sunday, Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted St.; $20, $15 for students and seniors, $10 for children; 312-988-9000, www.ticketmaster.com/amahl-the-night-visitors-tickets/artist/759904
Chicago Symphony Orchestra: Works by Stravinsky, Saint-Saens and Prokofiev make up the CSO’s final subscription program of 2016, with Michael Tilson Thomas conducting and cello soloist Gautier Capucon. 1:30 p.m. Friday, 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; $36-$215; 312-294-3000, www.cso.org
Credo Music: Peter Slowik leads an audience singalong of Handel’s “Messiah,” with a freewill offering to benefit Harmony Community Church and Food Pantry in North Lawndale. 4 p.m. Sunday, Grace Lutheran Church, 7300 Division St., River Forest; free; 440-774-3658, www.credo-music.org
Early Music at the Byron Colby Barn: The early music ensemble Echoing Air celebrates medieval and baroque music of the season, from Europe and the British Isles. 4 p.m. Sunday, Byron Colby Barn, Prairie Crossing, 1561 Jones Point Road, Grayslake; $20, children free; 847-543-1202, www.libertyprairie.org/earlymusic More Top Picks Brother Cs6000i
Fulcrum Point New Music Project 18th Annual Concert for Peace: Activists Malcolm London and Stella Binion read their social and political poetry, complemented by the pop-inspired minimalism of composers Terry Riley (“In C”), David Lang and Ted Hearne. 4 p.m. Sunday, Alhambra Palace Restaurant, 1240 W. Randolph St.; $20, $10 for students and seniors; www.18thannualpeaceconcert.brownpapertickets.com
Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra: A family-friendly “Winter Wonderland Holiday Concert” brings the IPO debut of conductor Francesco Milioto. 3 p.m. Saturday, Lincoln-Way West Performing Arts Center, 21701 Gougar Road, New Lenox; tickets $5 and up; 708-481-7774, www.ipomusic.org
Lakeside Singers: The group’s holiday program offers family-friendly fare — carols from around the world, a Hanukkah medley, a newly commissioned work and holiday pops. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St.; $35, $25 for seniors and students, $10 for children; www.lakesidesingers.com
“Merry, Merry Chicago!”: The CSO’s festive celebration of seasonal music returns for its second year with guest conductor Emil de Cou leading guest vocalist Angela Brown (“Mary Poppins”), the Chicago Children’s Choir and orchestra members in traditional Christmas carols along with pop fare. 7 p.m. Friday; 3 p.m. Saturday, Wednesday and Thursday; 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Dec. 23; Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; $33-$116; 312-294-3000, www.cso.org
Music of the Baroque: Early music specialist Paul Agnew leads MOB’s traditional holiday brass and choral concerts. 8 p.m. Friday, St. Michael’s Church, 1633 N. Cleveland Ave.; and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Chapel of the Holy Spirit, Society of the Divine Word at Techny Towers, 2001 Waukegan Road, Northbrook; $27-$90; 312-551-1414, www.baroque.org
Charlie Vernon and Friends Community Carol Sing: The CSO trombonist and his wife, conductor Alison Vernon, will lead this annual concert of holiday brass and vocal music benefiting the Greater Chicago Food Depository. 7:30 p.m. Monday, Trinity United Methodist Church, 1024 Lake Ave., Wilmette; $20 donation; 847-251-7333.
Vienna Boys Choir: The world-famous children’s chorus returns to Orchestra Hall for a matinee program of favorite Christmas carols, folk songs and a holiday singalong. 3 p.m. Tuesday, Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; $25-$85; 312-294-3000, www.cso.org
John von Rhein is a Tribune critic.
Twitter @jvonrhein
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