Singing Christmas Tree
CHINA GROVE — Community Voices of Praise presents The Singing Christmas Tree. Now in its 32nd year, there will be two Singing Christmas Tree performances in a new location featuring choir, orchestra, and handbells. Saturday, Dec. 1, 6:30 P.m. and Sunday, Dec. 2, 3:30 P.m. at Mt. Zion United Church of Christ, 1415 South Main St., China Grove. Free admission. Nursery provided.

First Baptist Living Christmas Tree
First Baptist Church of Salisbury, 223 N. Fulton St., will present its Living Christmas Tree performances today, Dec. 1 and tomorrow, Dec. 2, at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. There is also a performance Monday, Dec. 3, at 8 p.m. Most tickets are already spoken for, but call at 704-633-0431 to check if any are available.

S-R Choral Society
The Salisbury-Rowan Choral Society presents its annual holiday concert, “The Story of Christmas,” featuring holiday classics such as “Silent Night” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” as well as some new selections. The concert will take the audience through the biblical moments of Christmas origin and deliver them into the present day as we explore the many outreaches of this joyful season, both sacred and secular. The finale will be an exciting and moving South African song, “Nation, do not Cry,” in combination with the melody of chant-based “Of the Father’s Love Begotten.” Afamiliar guest from the North Pole is expected after the concert, which is Friday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. at First United Church of Christ, 207 W. Horah St.
The concert is free to the public. Bring a new unwrapped toy to be donated to children served by the Rowan County Department of Children Services.

St. John’s Men’s Chorus
The St. John’s Men’s Chorus, directed by Rosemary Kinard, will present “How Great Our Joy,” a free concert, at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, in the sanctuary of St. John’s Lutheran Church, 200 W. Innes St.
An original Christmas narration, written by Susan Shinn, will be interwoven with the musical selections in the concert, which will feature instrumentalists.
The Classic Ringers and the Luther Ringers, St. John’s adult handbell ensembles, will also play several selections. Kimberly Lentz is director of handbell ensembles.
The St. John’s Inner Voices, a small auditioned ensemble composed of members of the men’s chorus, will also be featured in the performance, civic events, and many concerts.
A freewill offering will be received during the intermission to benefit Rowan Helping Ministries, and the performance will include a Christmas carol sing-along for the audience.

Piedmont Choral Society
KANNAPOLIS —The 50 voice Piedmont Choral Society, under the direction of Dr. Jeff Price, will perform portions of Handel’s “Messiah,” with orchestra, along with familiar carols and hymns on Friday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 201 Vance St., and again on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. at Forest Hill UMC, 265 Union St. North in Concord. A reception will follow the Sunday concert. The concerts are free. For details, contact 704-699-6053 or kayy2000@gmail.com

Piedmont Prime Time Community Band
KANNAPOLIS — Christmas concert “Our Gift of Music, Your Gift of Food.” The Piedmont Prime Time Community Band’s 11th annual Christmas concert is on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 4 p.m. at Living Water Church of God, 166 N. Little Texas Road. For admission, bring a canned or boxed food item or peanut butter to be donated to Cooperative Christian Ministry. The concert music will include Christmas favorites. Children in the audience will be invited to ring sleigh bells during the Christmas carol sing-along. Emceeing the concert will be WSOC-TV news anchor Sarah Rosario. Special guests will be singers from the Piedmont Chorale Society who will perform selections with the band. For more information call Jon Hutchinson at 704-425-3508 or go to www.primetimeband.org

Salisbury Ecumenical Choir ‘Glory of Christmas’
The Salisbury Ecumenical Choir, under the direction of Dr. Phillip Burgess, will present the annual Glory of Christmas Concert on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 4 p.m. The ecumenical choir is composed of singers from the Rowan/Salisbury area, and new singers are always encouraged to join. The concert will be at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 131 W. Council St. Orchestra soloists and nearly 30 churches and organizations represented. Questions, call director Phillip Burgess at 705-633-3221.

Pfeiffer University Ensembles and Stanly County Concert Band
MISENHEIMER —The performance ensembles of Pfeiffer University and members of the Stanly County Concert Band will present “A Village Christmas” in two performances on Sun., Dec. 2 at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Henry Pfeiffer Chapel, 48380 Hwy 52N, Misenheimer. The community is invited to these free concerts. In addition to the Pfeiffer University Concert Choir, featured performers include the university’s hand bell choir, men’s ensemble and percussion ensemble as well as members of the newly established Stanly County Concert Band, which includes several Pfeiffer student musicians. Traditional holiday musical selections will be featured. The program is directed by Joseph Judge, director of choral activities and assistant professor of music; Steve Harrill, assistant professor of music; and Carmella Hedrick, director of the wind ensemble and a founding member of the Stanly County Concert Band.

Fridays@First
The FirstARTS Series of First United Methodist Church will host its annual Fridays@First advent concerts, beginning Friday, Dec. 7 at noon with a piano recital by Greensboro-based pianist, William J. Kelley performing works of Beethoven, Schubert, Debussy, and Rachmaninoff on the Steinway piano in the church’s rehearsal hall. Kelley is currently music director and principal conductor of the North State Chamber Orchestra as well as an active soloist and collaborative artist.
The series will continue each Friday through Christmas with performances by classical guitarist Joe Miller on Dec. 14 and the Aaron Craven Jazz Trio on Dec. 21. All concerts are free and open to the public. FUMC is located at 217 S. Church St. For more information contact Matthew Brown, Director of Music, at matthew@fumcsalisbury.org, or 704-636-3121, ext 104.

Music and Stories of the Season
Music and Stories of the Season with Karl Hales returns for the holidays at 7 p.m., Monday-Tuesday, Dec. 10-11. “A Christmas Tradition’ features the voices and talents of Karl Hales, Neal Wilkinson, Leslie Dunkin and pianist Susan Trivette, held at the Norvell Theater, 135 E. Fisher St. Cost of admission is canned goods for Rowan Helping Ministries.

Iredell Choral Society
STATESVILLE — The Iredell Choral Society’s third annual Christmas Extravaganza Concert and Spaghetti Dinner is at Horizon Church, 316 Signal Hill Drive on Friday, Dec. 14, from 7-9 p.m. The public is invited to this festive holiday event featuring the 2012 ICS Christmas Choir and director, Joshua McCrary. Advance tickets are on sale now for $7 plus tax, or $10 at the door. Tickets may be purchased online at www.iredellchoralsociety.webs.com

Christmas Cantata
LANDIS ­— Voices of Joy, the adult choir of First Reformed Church of Landis, will present “The Name…Jesus,” a Christmas musical created by Mike Speck. The Kids Choir and a drama team will also be involved in this program. The two performances are Dec. 2 at the 8:15 a.m. service and Dec. 9 at the 11 a.m. service in the fellowship hall. First Reformed Church is located at 210 North Central Ave. For details, call 704-857-7119.

Piedmont Singing Men
KANNAPOLIS — On Dec. 2 The Piedmont Singing Men will present their Christmas Concert at Trinity United Methodist Church at 4 p.m. The church is located at 416 E. 1st St. This is a free concert.

‘Journey to the Manger’
KANNAPOLIS — The Sanctuary Choir and Drama Ministry of First Baptist Church Kannapolis, presents “Journey to the Manger, A Search for the True Meaning of Christmas” on Sunday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. Childcare is available for ages 0-3 years. The church is located at 101 N. Main St., Kannapolis, 704-938-4697.

Cooleemee Community Choir
COOLEEMEE — The Cooleemee Community Choir will hold their Christmas Cantata “Heaven’s Child,” on Sunday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. at Cooleemee United Methodist Church, 197 Main St. Refreshments will be provided after the service.

Mount Tabor
Join Mount Tabor United Methodist Church (just north of Ellis Park on Old Mocksville Road) Sunday, Dec. 23 at 11 a.m. for a Christmas cantata. Immerse yourself in the sounds of the season. Call 704-633-7484 to learn more about having A Different Kind of Christmas. www.mounttaborumc.org

First Presbyterian Church
There will be special choral music presented at First Presbyterian Church’s Advent Choral Sunday Dec. 9 at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. The Sanctuary Choir will present “Gaudette (Rejoice),” by Anders Ohrwall, a modern collection of ancient Christmas melodies for choir and woodwind trio.
On Sunday, Dec. 23, the contemporary service In Lewis Hall at 8:50 will feature Lessons and Carols. The LCw Praise Team, the Bell Tower Ringers and others will present a service of lessons and carols in a contemporary context. The music will include contemporary Christian songs as well as traditional carols in contemporary settings. “Come, Let Us Adore Him”!

Sloan Lake music today
CHINA GROVE — Sloan Lake Community Church holds its Christmas Jubilee 2012 today, Dec. 1, at 6 p.m., featuring music by The McKameys. Sloan Lake is located at 10255 Old Concord Road, 704-857-3311, www.slcchome.com