By Alaina Merchant, staff writer

“Hark how the bells, sweet silver bells, all seem to say ‘throw cares away.'” Nothing beats holiday music, and on Dec. 19, the band and chorus will host their annual holiday concert in the auditorium at 7 p.m. 

Members of the band and chorus programs, led by Mrs. Angela Graham, will perform pieces they have been rehearsing since the beginning of the school year. “I’m excited about it,” Mrs. Graham said. “We’ve worked really hard.” 

The performance will include “A Holly Jolly Christmas” performed by the senior high chorus, “African Noel” by the junior high chorus, “A Festival of Carols” by the concert band, “Mary, Did You Know” by the senior high chorus, and “Jingle Bells Jamboree” by the concert band. 

A highlight of the evening will be the return of the “Carol of the Bells,” the song with which former director Susan James ended each concert. A key feature of this closing is that alumni have always joined the performers on stage. 

“The students brought up to me that it was a piece that alumni come up and join with, which I didn’t know, I was like, ‘Ok, great, let’s do that,” Mrs. Graham said. “It’s also a piece most people know. Whether they know the words or not, they know the tune. It’s a good way to reach out to the community and get the alumni to come to our concerts.”

Fifty-five students will participate in the concert, and admission is free and open to the public. Come hear the bells, the sweet silver bells.