Live Arts Maryland has scheduled a performance series for its 2017-2018 season that includes two classic concerts, two pops concerts and the cherished “Celebration of Christmas” holiday tradition — all at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts.

Another classical music program will be performed at the historic St. Anne’s Church at Annapolis Church Circle.

Director J. Ernest Green has created a season of diverse music with a bonus: After many of this season’s concerts, Green will host interactive question-and-answer sessions on stage – often with the performers joining in to field audience questions and discuss the music just heard.

The opening concert on Maryland Hall’s main stage is “American Songbook: Porter and Gershwin Timeless Classics” with pianist Kevin Cole performing his critically acclaimed interpretations, on Saturday, Oct. 14.

Green calls Cole “an amazing pianist and wonderful artist,” and “one of the foremost Gershwin pianists in the world.”

“This American Songbook concert is a perfect fit for him,” said Green, who has often worked with Cole and first invited him to Maryland Hall to appear at an Annapolis Chorale tribute to Marvin Hamlisch.

On Nov. 11, the chorale will perform Johannes Brahms’ “German Requiem,” a work that conveys comfort in the face of loss through beautiful words and music. Among soloists joining the chorale for this performance are soprano Jessica Satava and Metropolitan Opera baritone Gary Simpson.

On Dec. 8 — for one night only — the holidays make an early appearance with “The Celebration of Christmas,” one of the longest running holiday events in the region.

The show features the Annapolis Chorale and the Annapolis Chamber Orchestra, with soloists including Broadway performer Doug LaBrecque and soprano Amy Cofield, a returning audience favorite, to sing such favorites as “White Christmas” and “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”

In February, Broadway will come to Annapolis with “The Secret Garden,” a Tony Award-winning show with music by Lucy Simon and lyrics by Marsha Norman. This story of love and redemption is told through a stellar cast of singers and actors.

The season finale on April 7, “Peace and Joy,” commemorates the anniversary of America’s involvement in World War I with a concert that Green says is “filled with peace and joy.”

The Annapolis Chorale and soloists with Annapolis Chamber Orchestra will perform Gerald Finzi’s moving “A Farewell to Arms” and Beethoven’s monumental “Choral Fantasy.”

In addition to this lineup, the classical programs at historic St. Anne’s Church on Church Circle promise to be a treat for audiences, taking advantage of near-perfect acoustics that are praised by performers and patrons alike.

This season a trio of Handel’s “Messiah” performances by the Annapolis Chorale, conducted by Green, are scheduled at St. Anne’s, on Dec. 15, 16 and 17. This rendition will feature soloists including soprano Amy Cofield returning to perform with tenor Joe Regan and bass Wes Mason. Also at St. Anne’s, as part of the Bach series on March 10, will be the J.S. Bach’s Mass in B-Minor.

The Annapolis Chorale Chamber Chorus and Annapolis Chamber Orchestra will perform under the direction of Green, with organist and Bach expert Larry Molinaro also appearing. This will be only the second time historically that this work has been performed by members of the Annapolis Chorale — early reservations may well be advised.

Tickets for all concerts are available at liveartsmaryland.org . For additional information call 410-263-1906.

‘Stars’ align for ASGT: This month Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre will present “Light Up the Stars,” a cabaret evening of Broadway music and dance directed by David Merrill and choreographed by his wife Elysia Merrill, assisted by Andrew Gordon.

The show, featuring an all-star cast of Annapolis Summer Garden performers, will be held at 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Sept. 15-24.

The show is a fundraiser for the Stage/2 Power Up campaign to help fund an essential electrical upgrade of ASGT’s historic building.

Tickets priced at $25 can be ordered online at summergarden.com. Information 410-268-9212.