Singers and musicians of all talents will welcome the community to their annual holiday concert Dec. 14 at Northwestern Lehigh Middle School.

Members of the chorus and band will be offering folks a musical gift the talented musicians would like to be a welcome respite from the shopping, decorating and baking frenzy that makes December the busiest month of the year.

“A field of red and white poinsettias, will decorate the stage,” said band director Jim Lykins, smiling. “I honestly don’t know if I could fit all the musicians and their instruments on the high school stage.”

Though the free concert will last less than two hours, Lykins would like the music to resonate with the audience for much longer.

“When children grow up and leave home, the family’s connection to the community is often adversely affected,” he said. “[The concert] is a chance for community members to come out and rejoice with their neighbors while they listen to classic holiday music performed by high school musicians.”

The chorus will perform first.

“This year, the 15-voice chorus has been working hard for everyone to enjoy the holiday season,” said second year choral director Greg Snider. “The best and most poignant piece in this year’s program is ‘God Bless Us, Everyone’ from Disney’s ‘Christmas Carol.’

“[It] conveys a message of peace and good will, [like] a holiday call to kindness.”

The chorus will sing “a festive collection of music” accompanied by its director. This will be followed by two ensemble performances featuring the Naturelettes, a women’s a cappella group, and the Tenutos, a clarinet group.

The band will perform five pieces, rounding out the evening. Selections include “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “ Celtic Carol” and “Do You Hear What I Hear.”

Drum major Jared Kensinger described the selections.

“[There will be] typical holiday music with a few contemporary things like Mannheim Steamroller’s ‘Stille Nacht,’ a version of ‘Silent Night’ you’re not used to hearing,” Kensinger said. “The original version of ‘Silent Night’ is simple. This one changes the time signature which makes it complex. I do like this version.”

Kensinger is also a member of the Tenutos, along with Sara Baran, Trinity Deppen, Elaina Wilson, Morgan Werley and Violet Shane.

“It’s fun just to hang out with the clarinets for a few minutes at rehearsals,” he said.

The Tenutos will perform “Joy to the World.”

“It’s a nice piece with a good arrangement,” Baran said.

The students have been practicing for weeks.

“My favorite is ‘Holiday Piece,’ which is actually a ‘Carol of the Bells,’” said Ross Mather, who plays tuba. “I’m playing the base, which is the foundation and everyone else plays off of me.”

Brandon Browning will be playing drum set and timpani.

“With these, I’ve got to listen carefully,” he explained, pointing to the timpani. “Every now and then in the middle of a song I’ve got to listen and then retune them.”

Browning has been interested in drums since he was 4 years old.

Junior Morgan Moss will be busy all evening performing with both the band and the chorus. She also is the a capella group’s music director.

“The concert will definitely put you in the Christmas spirit,” she said. “It’s not only enjoyable music to listen to, but soothing and enlightening for the mind.”

“The music of the holidays lifts our spirits and is great uniter, an incredible force,” said Snider, who is also a member of the Heidelberg Concert Hand Bell Choir. “People who differ on everything and anything can have this in common.”

Tickets are not required for this free concert that begins at 7 p.m. in the middle school auditorium.