Orpheus Male Chorus opens 86th season

The Orpheus Male Chorus of Phoenix, Arizona's longest-standing, continuously performing choral arts organization, opens its 86th season with three "Holidays With Orpheus" performances. The concerts include:

• Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m. at Velda Rose United Methodist Church, 5540 E. Main St., Mesa.

• Sunday, Dec. 14, at 3 p.m. at Camelback Bible Church, 3900 E. Stanford Drive, Paradise Valley.

• Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 7:30 p.m. at All Saints Lutheran Church, 15649 N. Seventh St., Phoenix.

Audience members will be asked to sing along in some favorite Christmas carols. Old-time favorites will include "The Little Drummer Boy," "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" and "Jingle Bells." The chorus will sing Morten Lauridsen's "O Magnum Mysterium" and a selection from Central Africa, "Noel."

The "Holidays Wth Orpheus" series features Sonja Branch on drums and other percussion.

Orpheus made its debut on Christmas morning 1929 on KTAR-AM and has performed in venues throughout Arizona and beyond with a diverse mix of classical and popular music. The group is directed by Brook Carter Larson, who previously taught choral music classes at Arizona State University, where he founded the Sun Devil Singers and the ASU Men's Chorus.

Tickets are $20, $15 for seniors and students. Children 12 and younger admitted free.

Information: 602-271-9396 or www.orpheus.org.