John Ferris is an excellent organist. If you have not yet heard him (or the big Fish organ in Memorial Church), consider attending the Friday night recital in the Yard. Ferris's taste is more modern than many organist's (such as the Alain piece); and when not modern, he will often present a lesser-known work (the Walther on the program). Be sure to get there a few minutes early for the best acoustical seats in the Church, just in front of the balcony overhang.

This is a good week for open sight-readings. The Band will be doing the noisy little Outdoor Overture of Copland. For those left-out string players, the Dunster House Brandenburg Party is good chance to play. There have been times when huge wind and brass choirs have been complemented by tiny string sections. One occasion in particular remains in mind when a desperation call was put through to Bob Coyne to hustle down from Radcliffe with his cello so someone would be there to play the bass line.

All the baroque nuts should have a good week, too. Both Martha Pearlman (at the Adams JCR) and John Gibbons (at the Museum of Fine Arts) are well-known Boston-area harpsichordists. If you do go to the Museum, remember that admission is free only in the evening; if you go during the day, standard prices are in effect.

ADAMS HOUSE JCR. Martha Pearlman, harpsichord. Lecture-recital of Italian 17th century music. Free. Feb. 9, 8:30 p.m. Adams House Chamber Singers. Works by Byrd, Josquin, Haydn, and Redford. Free. Feb. 10, 8:30 p.m.

JORDAN HALL. Handel & Haydn Society. Works by Argento, Milhaud, and L. Mozart. Tickets: 536-2412. Feb. 9, 8:30 p.m. New England Conservatory Symphony Orchestra. Schuller conducts Rossini, Villa Lobos, Respighi, Liszt, Ellington, and Morton. Free. Feb. 14, 8:30 p.m.

MEMORIAL CHURCH. John Ferris, University Organist. Works by Bach, Mozart, Alain, Walther, and Janacek. Free. Feb. 9, 8:30 p.m.

MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS: A B GALLERY. John Gibbons, harpsichordist. All-Bach program. Free. Feb. 13. 7 p.m.

SANDERS THEATER. Yale Russian Chorus. Tickets: $2. Feb. 10, 8 p.m.

SYMPHONY HALL. Boston Symphony Orchestra. Ozawa conducting Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 4 and Berlloz: Symphonie fantastique. Tickets: 266-1492. Feb. 13, 8:30 p.m.