On Friday, December 19, Bristol Bach Choir give the first of two concerts at St George’s at 7.30pm, consisting of music, carols and readings reflecting the true values of Christmas.

An interesting item will be a carol written by Bryan Kelly based on music from Peter Warlock’s Capriol Suite, dedicated to retiring conductor Peter Leech. Tickets £8 to £18 (£5 for students and under-18s) from 0845 4024001. The second performance is on Saturday at the same time.

Another delightful offering also on Saturday at 7.30pm is A Bach Christmas, in which one can hear the Nativity story, beautifully told through various readings and choruses from Bach’s Magnificat and Christmas Oratorio amongst other of this composer’s works. The performers are the Exultate Singers, backed by the Emerald Ensemble, conducted by David Ogden. Tickets £15 (concessions £13, under-18s £2) from Providence Music Shop on 0117 927 6536.

On Sunday December 21 there are two events with children very much in mind. Firstly at St George’s, the Emerald Ensemble again (aren’t they busy at this time of year?) offer the classic Peter And The Wolf. This is the Oscar-winning animated film version of the classic work set to some enchanting music by Prokofiev and played live by the orchestra.

There are two performances, at 11am and 2.30pm, and tickets are attainable from the box office on 0845 402 4001 at £12 (£8 for children).

At the Colston Hall at 2pm, The Snowman and The Bear features music from the classic film of Raymond Briggs’ much-loved story and its equally heart-warming companion The Bear. This includes the hit song Somewhere A Star Shines For Everyone. Tickets £15 (£8 children) available from the hall – 0117 922 3686.

On Monday, A Winter Celebration takes place at 7.30pm in Bristol Cathedral, with carols for choir and audience, and it also features the lively Carmina Burana by Carl Orff, with accompaniment for two pianos and percussion. The performers are the Bristol Cabot Choir, supported by various soloists. Tickets priced at

£15 and £12 from 0117 968 6822.

On the same evening at St George’s, the stunning Emerald Ensemble (don’t they ever rest?) are joined by the Exultate Singers and, in a repeat performance on Tuesday December 23, by the City of Bristol Choir in a special evening of warmth and goodwill, with works by Bach, Handel and Vivaldi, alongside audience carols and readings. The concert starts at 7.45pm, tickets £6 to £18, once again from 0845 402 4001.

As next Friday is Boxing Day, this will be the last of my columns until early in the new year, where, amongst other things, I will be previewing forthcoming concerts from the new St George’s spring brochure.

There is one more concert to bring to your notice at the Colston Hall and that is the New Year’s Eve Viennese Gala Concerton December 31, which is a fantastic way to celebrate, with the renowned Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra playing a glittering array of waltzes, polkas and arias. Tickets £11 to £21 (under-26s £5) from 0117 922 3686.