Singer-songwriter Carol Montag brings “A Carol Christmas” to CSPS Hall in Cedar Rapids Dec. 16, 17, & 18. It’s an all-new show of traditional holiday music, plus some new compositions, including a unique tune inspired by the 2020 Derecho. Information and tickets at www.carolmontag.com.

In their 25th anniversary season, Chorale Midwest returns to the first venue the choir ever performed, First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids for their Christmas Concert, Dec. 11 at 7:30 and Dec. 12 at 3:00. The program will include the premiere of a new commission by Matthew Culloton. Tickets and more information at www.choralemidwest.org.

2021 marks the 20th anniversary of “Tuba Christmas” in Cedar Rapids. Organizers Kyle Patrick and Jim Engelbach have been there since the very beginning, and are excited for the return of a live in-person performance, Saturday, Dec. 4, 4pm at Kirkwood’s Ballantine Auditorium. Directing the ensemble, which could number as high at 80 tubas, euphoniums, … Continue reading

Mr. Christmas, Tim Hankewich, works pretty much year-round on Orchestra Iowa’s Holiday Spectacular. This year, the Orchestra’s special guest is singer Amy Friedl Stoner, who will sing some brand new arrangements of holiday classics that make this show the equal of any of the top holiday orchestra shows anywhere in the country. Also featuring the … Continue reading

Artist Mary Zeran opens her latest show at Gilded Pear Gallery with a reception Dec. 3 from 5-7:30pm. “Dance Party” features work that depicts energy, color, and motion. Mary also has an accompanying Spotify playlist where you can hear the music that inspired the work! Visit www.gildedpeargallery.com for the gallery’s holiday hours. You can visit … Continue reading

Culture Crawl 676 “Almost There…” Ghyas Zeidieh is the new music director of the Cedar Rapids Community Orchestra, reactivated after its pandemic pause and beginning its season Dec. 5 with a concert at Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School. A native of Damascus, Syria, Ghyas talks about his first visit to Iowa (after being assured it … Continue reading

Orchestra Iowa kicks off its holiday concert season with “Messiah” Nov. 20 at the Paramount, and Nov. 21 at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts. Joining the Orchestra will be the Chamber Singers of Iowa City, and soloists, Jessica Pray, Suzanne Lommler, Eric Barry, and Craig Irvin. Known primarily, of course, for The Hallelujah … Continue reading

Violinist, teacher, and composer Josh Henderson is doing a one-year residency at the University of Iowa. His group, Warp Trio, is a genre-bending ensemble that combines, classical, jazz, electronica, and other styles. Josh talks about his background and music in an interview that also includes some of Warp Trio’s music.

Mike Conrad founded The Iowa Jazz Composers Orchestra (ICJO) to highlight the compositions of Iowans in new music and arrangements written for big band. The ensemble makes its Cedar Rapids’ debut Nov. 13 at 8pm at CSPS Hall in Cedar Rapids. You’ll hear the work of Chris Merz, Bob Washut, the late John Rapson, as … Continue reading

Tom Milligan directs “Androcles and The Lion” at Clear Creek-Amana High School in Tiffin, Nov. 12-13. Tom knows the play well, since he first performed it as a student himself. The all-female cast will perform the play, set in Ancient Rome, as if they were a troupe of 17th-century itinerant players, it’s a bit of … Continue reading