University of Washington School of Music—A steady stream of musical events, some of the best classical bargains around: most concerts are free or $6 at most. Watch for solo recitals by pianist David Viscoli (10/4), tenor Thomas Harper (10/12), and soprano Carmen Pelton (10/19). Chamber music events include a recital by wind-quintet-in-residence Soni Ventorum (10/27), the first of three recitals with Robert Davidovici and Craig Sheppard traversing all 10 Beethoven violin sonatas (11/1), and another convivial "Barry Lieberman and Friends" concert (11/29). For contemporary music, try a duo recital by flutist Rebecca Henderson and oboist Sheryl Cohen (11/10), a concert by the Contemporary Group (11/30), Soni Ventorum's all-American recital (12/6), or a concert by the Percussion Ensemble (12/7). And that's just this fall. 543-4880.
Choral
Camerata Chorale—First up, a Handel concert, with the Coronation Anthems and an oboe concerto (11/14-15); then a holiday program (12/4-5), Duruflé's popular Requiem (3/20-21), an evening of Gilbert and Sullivan (5/22), and an appearance from the Camerata Children's Choir (6/12). 526-1808.
Choral Arts Northwest—They'll open with an all-Russian program: Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and Schnittke's Choir Concerto (10/18). "Christmas in Scandinavia" comes up 12/20, followed by "A Rose in Winter" (2/19) and Arvo Pärt's Passio (3/19). 253-839-1228.
The Esoterics—Exquisite performances always from this a cappella group devoted to 20th-century repertory. Their opening concert, Antiphonia (11/6-8), will include works for double chorus by Lidholm, Martin, Poulenc, Walton, and Seattleite Donald Skirvin. For more Poulenc, stay tuned for his 100th birthday concert (1/8-10), the first of four this year: they're also celebrating the centennials of Randall Thompson (April), Carlos Chavez (June), and Lajos Bardos (October '99). 726-0922.
Northwest Chamber Chorus—Their Christmas concert will include Britten's Ceremony of Carols (12/6, 12-13); later comes music by Frank Martin (3/20-21) and Handel (6/5). 523-1196.
Northwest Girlchoir—300 voices strong, they're opening their season with Christmas concerts (12/5, 12/19), followed by three other performances 3/6, 3/20, and 5/22. 329-6225.
Opus 7—Chamber-chorus concerts this fall include one in Benaroya with music by Debussy, Hindemith, Ravel, Rheinberger, and Tippett (10/23), and a concert of Britten for Christmas (12/6). 782-2354.
Seattle Choral Company—First, a stirring program of Magnificats and Glorias (12/12-13); then their traditional New Year's Eve Carmina Burana (plus opera excerpts); then choral music from films, including the Seattle premiere of Glass' Itaipú (2/27); finally a spring a cappella recital (5/21-22). 363-1100.
Seattle Men's Chorus—Their 20th season opens with a bang with their Christmas show in Benaroya (12/9-20). Armistead Maupin reads from his Tales of the City, with musical interludes by the SMC, on 3/13-14, and Harvey Fierstein is the special guest for their salute to Broadway (6/24-26). 323-2992.
Seattle Pro Musica—"Inflame your passions!" cries their brochure. They'll sing sequences and hymns by Hildegard (surely you needn't ask which Hildegard) in their season opener (11/7-8). Their Christmas concert features music from the new world (12/12-13). Then they'll explore "the fire of divine inspiration and the flame of earthly passion" with some madrigals and 20th-century works (3/6-7), and finally cool down with Fauré, Mozart, and Purcell (5/15-16). 781-2766.
Tudor Choir—Doug Fullington leads four concerts at St. Mark's Cathedral: music from Renaissance Spain (10/10), German Christmas music (12/26), music of several centuries from King's College, Cambridge (3/27), and "Night Music" (5/15). 675-1805.
