Of the many fine offerings of holiday music in Hampton Roads, the concert by the Virginia Chorale is aMon,g the best for putting people in the holiday spirit. This year’s concert is titled “Alleluia! Carols Around the World.” Dwight Davis spoke to the Chorale’s Director, Scott Williamson, about the program.

Virginia Opera’s second production of the season is the sparkling comedy “Cosi fan Tutte” by Mozart. Dr. Glenn Winters, the Opera’s Community Outreach Music Director, offers a preview of this delightful Mozart masterpiece, with music and insightful commentary.

The Virginia Symphony, directed by Joann Falletta, presented the world premiere of the Symphony No. 3 by American composer Lowell Liebermann in a series of concerts in November. WHRO-FM’s Anthony McSpadden spoke with Mr. Liebermann about this work.

The Virginia Chorale opens its season with a series of concerts featuring music old and new. Dwight Davis spoke with the Chorale’s Director, Scott Williamson about the program, which will be presented on October 22 at 8 PM at First Presbyterian Church in Virginia Beach; October 23 at 8 PM at the Chrysler Museum; and October 24 at 4 PM at the Williamsburg Presbyterian Church.

In celebration of its 15th Anniversary season, the Virginia Arts Festival presents a concert by cellist Yo Yo Ma and pianist Katheryn Stott. These world-class artists have performed together for many years. Anthony McSpadden spoke with Katheryn Stott about her Fri,endship with Yo Yo Ma and their concert, which includes a special musical birthday present.

On Sat,urday, October 16th, the Peter Pelham Concert at Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg will present an evening of music by Dan Locklair, Composer-in-Residence and Professor of Music at Wake Forest University. The concert will feature the world premiere of “Arise in Beauty,” commissioned by Carolyn Weekley in memory of her mother. The choral work will set a text by Angier Brock, retired University of Virginia Instructor. Dan Locklair spoke with Dwight Davis about the work.

As one of the final events of the 2010 Virginia Arts Festival, Broadway star Kelli O’Hara will present an evening of American Song in Williamsburg. She’ll be accompanied by an ensemble led by Hampton Roads native, now Broadway conductor, Rob Fisher. Dwight Davis spoke with Rob Fisher about the program, and its emphasis on songs by Harold Arlen.

The 2010 Virginia Arts Festival ends with a concert by the Virginia Symphony in Williamsburg. Joann Falletta will conduct the orchestra in the Royal Fireworks Music of Handel, Tchaikovsky’s Mozartiana and, with cellist Alisa Weilerstein, the dvorak Cello Concerto. Dwight Davis spoke with Joann Falletta about the concert.

The outstanding young cellist Alisa Weilerstein will perform twice in Williamsburg as part of the 2010 Virginia Arts Festival. She spoke with Dwight Davis about the pieces she will be performing, first discussing the Bach cello suites.

The Orion String Quartet returned to the Virginia Arts Festival for three performances during the 2010 season. Dwight Davis spoke with the cellist of the group, Timothy Eddy, about the music of Leon Kirchner and Robert Schumann, which the quartet performed.