A cornucopia of holiday concerts in Clark County

Nothing says the holiday season like harmonious sound — be it grand and brassy, jolly and jokey, or simply sweet and holy. (OK, a beautiful, silent snowfall might say it, too, but this is the Pacific Northwest. For every snowfall, we must endure weeks or months of rain. It’s the law.)

Here’s our roundup of as many seasonal, local musical outings as we can squeeze into our big bag of presents. There’s no better way to keep your spirits bright.

Frozen feet

Admission to the Dec. 10 holiday concert by the Vancouver Community Concert Band costs one pair of new socks. Or a hat, or gloves, or a coat, or some other toasty winter clothing item. Friends of the Carpenter wants to distribute as many passports to warmth as possible for people who might otherwise spend the season cold, wet and miserable.

It isn’t just a matter of creature comfort. Homeless people’s feet take major punishment even when the world is warm and dry; when it’s wet and frigid, minor matters can turn into serious and ongoing health problems, from undetected neuropathy to infections and wounds that don’t heal. Ever consider how you’d survive and thrive for half the year on frozen feet?

That’s why this concert’s real theme is warming your needy neighbors. But never forget that a happy byproduct of generosity toward others is one’s own feeling of inner warmth. Traditional holiday music, performed by the whole Vancouver Community Concert Band and smaller combos, sure will help. Guest conductor Erin Hanson will step in for director Jim Roark this time.

Global Christmas

Acclaimed American composer Conrad Susa enjoyed claiming that he studied with P.D.Q. Bach — a fictitious figure of classical music comedy, if you can imagine such a thing. (He was the “Spinal Tap” of 18th century music.) That should tell you something about the spunk and imagination of the late Susa, a celebrated American composer and a personal favorite of Jana Hart, who leads the Vancouver USA Singers.

Susa’s Spanish-style “Carols and Lullabies,” featuring marimba, classical guitar and harp, will be the centerpiece of a pair of “Christmas Around the World” concerts on Dec. 10 and 11.

There will also be carols and other selections from far-off spots like central Africa, Sweden, Russia, Mexico, Israel, Germany, Austria, France and England.

Special guests will include harpist Kate Petak, percussionist Tyler Bragg and classical guitarist Devin Kosloff. Noted jazz singer and Battle Ground High School Jazz Ensemble director Darcy Schmitt will lead her group through some swingin’ carols, too.

Ridgefield’s tree

This is the 39th year running that the Ridgefield Church of the Nazarene has constructed a temporary pyramid inside its sanctuary. First comes the wooden skeleton with enough platform space (and strength) for a 70-member choir; then the 50-foot-tall, seven-layer structure is transformed into a Christmas tree via greenery, lights, ribbons and trim.

When singers populate the tree too, it sure is something to see — and hear. The Joy of Dance troupe will make a guest appearance, and so will you, if you join in with the sing-alongs.

Offerings and donations go to Compassion Ridgefield, a church-driven effort to stage free health and social-service fairs for people in need.

Ridgefield’s revenge

Clark County’s holiday concert scene really does feel like a cornucopia — one of those magical horns-of-plenty that contains an apparently endless supply of riches. Some are charity events; some aim to show off the talents of amateur musicians and ambitious students; all mean to spread the spirit of the season. Check our “If You Go” list for the whole busy rundown.

And then there’s Molly’s Revenge. The California trio will bring its 11th annual Celtic Christmas Celebration to the Old Liberty Theater on the night of Dec. 11. Irish dancers performing jigs and reels are part of the package; so is boisterous, driving musicianship and showmanship by the band (expect heavily accented singing and leaping about). Singer Christa Burch has again joined the trio for this tour.

Molly’s Revenge promises Christmas songs old and new — with surprises in store for its regular fans. A new holiday album will be for sale.