Thursday, Nov. 29

•Handel Society of Dartmouth College presents Handel’s "Messiah," conducted by Helmuth Rilling; 7 p.m., Hopkins Center, Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H. Tickets: 603-646-2422.

Friday, Nov. 30

•Thetford Chamber Singers present their Candlelight Vespers for Christmas concert, "Voices of Healing and Hope," 7:30 p.m., United Church of Strafford. Info: 802-765-4703.

•Pianist Sally Pinkas, with flautist Christopher Krueger and violist Michael Zaretsky, present an evening of music by early 20^th-century masters, 8 p.m., Hopkins Center, Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H. Tickets: 603-646-2422.

Saturday, Dec. 1

•Free concert by the Montpelier Community Gospel Choir, an ecumenical 70-voice group which draws members from 19 Vermont towns, 7 p.m., Norwich University, Northfield. Info: 244-6937.

•The Preservation Hall Jazz Band from New Orleans presents "A Creole Christmas," 8 p.m., Barre Opera House. Tickets: 476-8188.

•Vt. Symphony Orchestra presents "Masterworks 2," 8 p.m., Flynn Theater, Main St., Burlington. Tickets: 802-863-5966.

Sat. & Sun., Dec. 1 & 2

•Freelance Family Singers celebrate Ellen Satterthwaite’s 25^th year as chorus director, with a mix of sacred and secular holiday pieces suitable for the entire family, with a guest appearance by the University Chorus of the Upper Valley, Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3:30 p.m., First Congregational Church, Woodstock. Free admission, but donations of non-perishable items for the community shelf welcome.

Sunday, Dec. 2

•The Randolph Singers present their annual winter concert, including carols and lullabies, "Christmas in the Southwest" adapted by Conrad Susa, P. D. Q. Bach carols, and songs for audience participation; 3 p.m., Chandler Music Hall, Main St., Randolph. Tickets at the door.

•Free concert by the Montpelier Community Gospel Choir, an ecumenical 70-voice group, 4 p.m., Trinity United Methodist Church, Main St., Montpelier.

•Dan Zanes & Friends perform fun family folk music, shows at 12 noon and 3 p.m., Lebanon Opera House, Lebanon, N.H. Tickets: 603-448-0400.

Monday, Dec. 3

•"Yamoto: the Drummers of Japan" use a massive Taiko drum made from a 400-year-old tree as the centerpiece of their performance, 7 p.m., Hopkins Center, Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H. Tickets: 603-646-2422.

Wednesday, Dec. 5

•"Yamoto: the Drummers of Japan" use a massive Taiko drum made from a 400-year-old tree as the centerpiece of their performance, 7:30 p.m., Flynn Theater, Main St., Burlington. Tickets: 802-863-5966.

Thursday, Dec. 6

•The Eric Mintel Quartet presents "A Jazz Holiday," featuring the jazz music of Vince Guaraldi from "A Charlie Brown Christmas," as well as Mintel’s original music and holiday classics, 7:30 p.m., Chandler Music Hall, Main St., Randolph. Pre-concert jazz talk at 6:30 p.m. with members of the quartet. Tickets: 728-6464.

Friday, Dec. 7

•Free concert presented by the chorus and circle songs class led by Kevin Quigley, featuring South African and Georgian songs, traditional spirituals and more; the Sharon Academy Middle School chorus will start the program; 7:30 p.m., Vt. Independent School of the Arts, Rte. 14, Sharon.

Saturday, Dec. 8

•Cape Breton fiddler Ashley MacIsaac headlines a benefit show for musician Jerry Holland, 7:30 p.m., Chandler Music Hall, Randolph. Tickets: 728-6464.

•"Holiday Pops II" performed by the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, 7:30 p.m., Flynn Theater, Main St., Burlington. Tickets: 802-863-5966.

Sunday, Dec. 9

•"To Warm a Winter’s Night," Aine Minogue (harp/vocals), cello virtuoso Eugene Friesen and DruidStone celebrate the symbolism of winter in the Celtic regions of Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Galatia, Brittany, and Eastern Canada, 7 p.m., Chandler Music Hall, Randolph. Tickets: 728-6464.

•Organ concert featuring six noted area musicians playing holiday and classical selections on the 1882 George H. Ryder tracker action Pipe Organ and the 1873 Mason & Hamlin foot-pumped reed organ, refreshments served, free will donation to benefit the "S-O-S" (Save Our Steeple) Fund, 3 p.m., Congregational Church, Rte. 14, Royalton. Info: 763-7985.