Coast Guard Band doubles up on holiday concerts

You can have your Edmund Kean, Paul Scofield and Laurence Olivier. Because, if you've never heard Ken Megan do his annual recitation of "The Night Before Christmas," well ... time's a-wastin'.

Fortunately, on Sunday, the United States Coast Guard Band presents its annual holiday concerts in a matinee and an evening performance - and it's a tradition that Captain Megan, director of the band, closes with his always-fun "Night Before" delivery.

The afternoon presentation is more kid-friendly, with such fare as "Rocket Sleigh" by Delvyn Case and Leroy Anderson's virtuosic showcase "Bugler's Holiday."

The evening's bill includes "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," soloist Megan Weikleenget interpreting the aria "Aus Liebe Will Mein Heiland Sterben," Lauridsen's "O Magnum Mysterium, and holiday staples "Sleigh Ride" and "A Christmas Festival."

- RICK KOSTER

Holiday Concerts, United States Coast Guard Band, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Leamy Hall Auditorium, United States Coast Guard Academy, 15 Mohegan Ave., New London; free; (860) 701-6826, www.uscg.mil/band.