Next year is a big one for Mendelssohn -- both Felix and the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh. The great German composer was born in 1809, and the Mendelssohn Choir gave its first concert in 1909. So it was a perfect fit that the Library of Congress invited the local chorus to help celebrate Felix's birthday. A chamber choir taken from the Mendelssohn will give a concert at the Library's Coolidge Auditorium in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 27, 2009, with Betsy Burleigh conducting. The program, which will be given in Pittsburgh first, will include a commission and works by Haydn (also in an anniversary year, having died in 1809) and, of course, Mendelssohn.

A medley of songs from "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" will highlight the Pittsburgh Concert Chorale's upcoming concert celebrating Pittsburgh's 250th anniversary. The chorus commissioned the work from Robert Page with permission from Joanne Rogers, Fred Rogers' widow. This work will be joined by two other commissioned works by Tom Roberts -- arrangements of music by former Pittsburghers Oscar Levant and Earl Hines. Katherine Mueller will direct the concert, which will also include music by Pittsburghers Stephen Foster, Henry Mancini, Stephen Flaherty, Perry Como and Bobby Vinton.

The concerts will take place at 8 p.m. May 3 at Shady Side Academy, Fox Chapel, and 4 p.m. May 4 at Ingomar United Methodist, Franklin Park. Tickets are $16-$20 (students $8, under 12 free); call 412-635-7654.

When the Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic performs at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on April 29, it will not only be the latest in a long line of tours under Juan Pablo Izquierdo, but also the last time he conducts the orchestra as its music director. He will retire after 17 years at CMU, having taken the ensemble to Carnegie Hall in New York, Symphony Hall in Boston, Severance Hall in Cleveland and many times to Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland. He also made an award-winning recording of George Crumb with the student orchestra.