The Oregon Symphony has expanded its Holiday Concert Series, and this year’s will include 11 concerts at the Schnitz boasting a diversity of music genres and culturally specific programming. Choir nerds should take note of Handel’s Messiah (Dec 2 & 4), as well as the Gospel Christmas concert (Dec 9 & 10). There’s also A Very Merry Mariachi Christmas Concert showcasing Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández (December 11), a chance to see Broadway legend Kristin Chenoweth with the Oregon Symphony (December 14). On December 20 and 21, Portland-based multilingual band Pink Martini—AKA the “little orchestra” spearheaded by Thomas Lauderdale—will perform its wildly eclectic catalog and holiday classics alongside the Oregon Symphony. (various dates and times, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, more info at orsymphony.org. by Jenni Moore