“When considering the selections for this concert, one of our board members suggested we consider the music of Britain,” says Eduardo Azzati, Camerata Singers Conductor and Artistic Director.

“Late last spring, one of our prior board presidents passed away. He was originally from England and this concert is in his honor,” says Azzati.

The former board president of the Camerata Singers was Robert Taylor Smith, who died earlier this year.

The Camerata Singers presents “A British Christmas,” 3 p.m. Dec. 20, Christ Lutheran Church, Allentown.

“The music is quite varied, consisting of selections by two contemporary composers of their own time, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Gustav Holst; one 40 years their junior, Benjamin Britten, and George Frideric Handel,” says Azzati.

The concert opens with Britten’s 1942 “Ceremony of Carols” for chorus and harp, a work based on 14th and 15th century poems. Originally composed for treble chorus and harp, the 11-movement piece was so successful the publisher requested that a version be written for mixed chorus and harp.

Harp soloist for the Camerata concert is Samantha Wittchen.

Next is “Christmas Day” for chorus and organ by Gustav Holst. Composed in 1910, the work “features four familiar Christmas carols from the British church which have entered the secular world,” Azzati says, adding, “An interesting work. The carols are sometimes superimposed upon each other.”

Organ soloist for the Camerata concert is Dr. Nicholas Halbert.

The concert continues with Vaughn Williams’ “Fantasia on Christmas Carols” (1912), with baritone soloist Ian Murphy, cellist Franklin Niño, chorus and organ.

“No Christmas program would be complete without at least a few selections from Handel’s ‘Messiah,’ a number of carols with audience participation and, new this year, a silent auction,” says Azzati.

“A British Christmas,” Camerata Singers, 3 p.m. Dec. 20, Christ Lutheran Church, 1245 Hamilton St., Allentown; Tickets: PSO office, 1524 W. Linden St., Allentown; 610-434-7811; http://www.pacameratasingers.org/tickets.html

“The Concord Chamber Singers have performed Handel’s ‘Messiah’ in the past. However, this is my fourth season with the ensemble and my first time presenting the ‘Messiah’ with them,” says David Macbeth, Artistic Director of the Concord Chamber Singers.

Concord Chamber Singers presents “Winter Concert: Handel’s ‘Messiah’ and ‘Hallelujah’ Sing-Along,” 4 p.m. Dec. 21, First Presbyterian Church, Bethlehem.

“All told, we perform the Christmas section, which constitutes 21 movements between choir, soloists and orchestra, and we encourage audience participation in the iconic movements ‘And the Glory of the Lord’ and ‘Hallelujah Chorus,’” says Macbeth.

George Frideric Handel completed his oratorio “Messiah” in 24 days in 1741. The 259-page work of 53 movements in three parts is based on a text by Handel’s friend Charles Jennins (1700-1773), a wealthy landowner, art patron and devout Christian.

Says Macbeth, “Our vocal soloists are Lehigh Valley natives and the orchestra is split between local professionals with extensive ‘Messiah’ experience sitting side by side with orchestra students from the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts. We also have members of the school’s Touring Choir joining us.

“Some years ago, I conducted a ‘Messiah’ sing-along locally. It wasn’t a concert per se, but more of an audience musical experience,” says Macbeth.

Concert-goers are welcomed to bring their scores of the “Messiah” and participate in the Sing-Along.

“Winter Concert: Handel’s ‘Messiah’ and ‘Hallelujah’ Sing-Along,” Concord Chamber Singers, 4 p.m. Dec. 21, First Presbyterian Church, 2344 Center St., Bethlehem; Tickets: 484-714-0934; https://ccsingers.org/events

“Classical View” is a column about classical music concerts, conductors and performers. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com