Parishes, schools and public performance venues will offer concerts to celebrate the fast-approaching holiday season. The musical programs offer inspirational interludes amidst the hustle and bustle of the countdown to Christmas. The list includes the following:

Dec. 4
Loyola Marymount University's Consort Singers, Women's Chorus and Concert Choir will present a program of holiday music at St. Lawrence Martyr Church, Redondo Beach, on Dec. 4, 8 p.m. Under the direction of Dr. Mary Breden, the singers will perform works by Schutz, Elgar, Nestor, Wilberg, Stroope and others. A free will offering will benefit the Breden Memorial Scholarship Fund recognizing outstanding altar servers at St. Lawrence. Information: (310) 338-5154.

Mount St. Mary's College's music department will present a Christmas Choral Concert on Dec. 4, 8 p.m. in the school's Mary Chapel on the Chalon Campus in Brentwood. General Admission: $10/$5 students & seniors.

Dec. 5-6
Los Angeles Master Chorale presents its Holiday Wonders concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall Dec. 5, 2:30 p.m. John West, featured organist for the 100th year celebration of the American Guild of Organists in L.A. next June, will accompany the singers. Joining the Chorale and the thundering Concert Hall organ for the finale medley of carols will be the Voices Within Children's Chorus. Adult tickets: $29-84/kids 6-12 tickets: $14-42. Call (213) 972-7282 for reservations.

National Children's Chorus, formerly the Paulist Choristers, will present a program of carols titled "Create Joy" Dec. 5, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., at The Edye Second Space at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica. Musical selections include John Rutter's collection of carols called "Dancing Day," scored for treble chorus and harp. Tickets available at http://nationalchildrenschorus.tix.com or by calling (800) 595-4849.

Mary & Joseph Retreat Center's 3rd annual Christmas Tea and Carols will take place Dec. 6 from 1:30-4:30 p.m. in Rancho Palos Verdes. Following the tea, patrons are invited to a special preview of the annual nativity exhibit with its 100 Christmas sets, which will run from Dec. 7-20. Admission to the tea is $20 adults; $14 children 4-12; free for children under 4. Information: (310) 377-4867 or jongbloed@maryjoseph.org.

Our Lady of Grace Church, Encino, offers an Advent/Christmas concert presented by all the choral ensembles of the parish Dec. 6, 4 p.m. A free will offering will be collected. Information: (818) 342-4686.

San Gabriel Mission will host the singing group "Chapel of Charlemagne" for "A Gregorian Chant Concert" Dec. 6, 4:30 p.m. in the old Mission Church in San Gabriel. Presale tickets, which can be purchased at the Mission Rectory, are $5 each. Tickets at the door are $7. For additional information, call (626) 457-7291.

Marymount College celebrates the season with its Advent Readings and Carols Concert on Dec. 6, 5 p.m. in the Marymount College Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes. This annual candlelight celebration features the Marymount Concert Chorus and Chamber Orchestra in a program of traditional and contemporary music and readings. Admission is free. Information is available at www.marymountpv.edu or by calling (310) 377-5501.

St. Sophia Cathedral, 1324 S. Normandie Ave., Los Angeles, will host its 12th annual Christmas Music Fest under the Byzantine Dome Dec. 6, 7 p.m. The concert will feature Carole Choucair Oueijan, Chanter Saint Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral; the Los Angeles Byzantine Chorale and Chamber Ensemble; the Harmonies Girls Choir under the direction of Jose Antonio Espinal who also conducts the Hispanic Choir at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels; and the St. Sophia Cathedral Youth Choir. Free will offering.

Church of the Nativity in El Monte and Flipside Youth Ministry will sponsor a concert at the church by the internationally acclaimed African Children's Choir on Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m. The touring children's choir has appeared on several television shows, including American Idol, The Tonight Show, Good Morning America and The Ellen Show. A free will offering will be taken to support the choir's efforts back in Africa. Information: (626) 448-4440 or email to flipsideyouthministry@yahoo.com

Dec. 10-11
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels hosts two performances of "La Virgen de Guadalupe, Dios Inantzin" presented by the Latino Theater Company Dec. 10-11, 7:30 p.m. This play, performed with music and dance, dramatizes the story of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to the Indian peasant Juan Diego. Free admission with goodwill offering at the door. Information: (213) 489-0994.

Loyola Marymount University presents its annual Gala Christmas Choral Concert Dec 10 and 12, 8 p.m., featuring the Concert Choir, Women's Chorus and Consort Singers, under the direction of Dr. Mary Breden. The concerts take place in the campus' Sacred Heart Chapel in Westchester. Works by Schutz, Elgar, Nestor, Wilberg, Stroope and others. Tickets: $12 and $15. Information: (310) 338-5154.

Dec. 12-13
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels' annual Mass honoring the Virgen de Guadalupe (Mananitas) begins at 5 a.m., Dec. 12 with singing performances by the Harmonies Girls Choir followed by a special Mass with liturgical music provided by the OLA Spanish Choir, the Harmonies and Mariachi Estrella de Mexico. The Cathedral's pre-Christmas celebration will take place on the Plaza Dec. 13 following the 10 a.m. Mass with Christmas caroling by the Harmonies Girls Choir. At 1:35 p.m., a bell choir will perform on the Cathedral Plaza.

St. Timothy Church, West Los Angeles, presents "A Ceremony of Carols" by Benjamin Britten, led by Dana Howell, on Dec. 12, 7 p.m. Following the concert, a reception will be held with sing-along carols. Free will offering. Information: (310) 474-1216 or http://sttimothyla.org/.

St. Paul the Apostle Church presents "The Christmas Story in Word & Song," featuring parish adult & children's choirs and seasonal scripture readings Dec. 13, 3 p.m. at the parish in Westwood. Free admission. Information: (310) 474-1527.

St. Barbara Parish at Old Mission Santa Barbara will present "The O Antiphons," a choral service, on Dec. 13, 3 p.m. Information: (805) 687-0357.

St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, Westlake Village, presents its annual Christmas concert, "Let There Be Light, A Christmas Celebration," in the church sanctuary Dec. 13, 7 p.m., immediately following the 5:30 p.m. Mass. Holiday music for all ages will be performed by St. Maximilian's adult choir, youth choir, children's choir, small ensemble and sacred dancers with chamber orchestral accompaniment, directed by Joan Patano Vos. Information: (818) 991-3915. Admission: Bring a non-perishable food item. Each family present will receive a token of Christmas peace.

Los Angeles Master Chorale's annual Christmas concert takes place Dec. 13, 7 p.m. at Walt Disney Concert Hall. The "Rejoice!" musical program includes Charpentier's "Midnight Mass for Christmas Eve," as well as "A Christmas Garland" of carols accompanied by organ, brass and guitars. Information: (213) 972-7282.

Dec. 19
St. Sebastian's Christmas concert benefitting the parish and Angel Care's worldwide work on behalf of children and the poor will take place Dec. 19, 6:15 p.m., in the school parking lot in West Los Angeles. In case of rain, the concert will be moved across the street into the church at 1430 Federal St., Los Angeles.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels will hold a Christmas Concert with the Cathedral Choir, the Harmonies Girls Choir and the Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra on Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m. The program includes selections from Handel's "Messiah" and the "Messe Solennelle" by Charles Gounod.

The Burbank Chorale presents Antonio Vivaldi's "Gloria" and Songs of the Season Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Burbank. Dr. Mikhail Shtangrud, choral director for Mayfield Junior School, will conduct. The program includes a performance by The Colburn Children's Choir with soloist Grace Doyle, a member of the Schola Cantorum at Bishop Alemany High School. Admission: $20 adults; $15 seniors and children under 12. Information: (818) 759-9177.

Dec. 24
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion hosts the 50th Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration Dec. 24, 3-9 p.m. The free show, produced by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission and broadcast on KCET-TV, features performances by more than 40 music and dance groups reflecting the vibrant spectrum of Southern California cultures. Among the groups performing will be the Harmonies Girls Choir, the Colburn Children's Choir, the ARC Handbell Choir and the Los Angeles Master Chorale. Free parking is available in the garage under the Music Center. Information: www.holidaycelebration.org.

St. Cyril of Jerusalem's Solemn Mass of Christmas with parish choir, soloists and orchestra starts with carols at 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 24 and continues with Midnight Mass featuring "Missa brevis in C" liturgical music by Johann Ernst Eberlin. The music from the Mass will be repeated on Christmas Day at noon at the church located in Encino. Information: (310) 475-2693.