Enjoy an afternoon of holiday entertainment for a good cause when the Manheim Central High School band, orchestra and choir present a concert on Sunday, Dec. 15. The concert will be held at the high school, 400 E. Adele Ave., Manheim, at 2 p.m. During intermission, members of the school's Interact Club will accept donations for the annual music/Interact scholarship awards.

"I think this concert is a great way to see how much work everyone has put into it," said Jarred Stoner, a junior who is president of Interact. "It's a performance I would pay money to go to. It's crazy seeing how dedicated and talented my peers are, and I love just seeing them be excited to share their passion for music."

The concert will feature inaugural performances from the music groups in the high school's newly renovated auditorium.

Under the direction of John J. Brackbill, the band will play several holiday pieces that will be familiar to audiences but presented in a creative way.

"We will be performing a unique arrangement of 'Jingle Bells' called 'Dashing Through the Snow'; two pieces that mix snippets of well-known Christmas songs with original materials called 'Ornaments!' and 'Winterscape'; a haunting setting of the lesser-known carol 'I Wonder as I Wander'; and a medley of 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel' and 'Ukrainian Bell Carol' titled 'Adventum,'" Brackbill said.

He said audiences will be treated to a rich selection of music.

"I would encourage folks to come support and acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our music ensemble members and celebrate the holiday season," he commented. "Attendees can expect an eclectic mix of holiday music both sacred and secular."

That's a sentiment echoed by Alicia Bartlett, orchestra director.

"Listeners can expect to be blown away by the musicianship and dedication of our orchestra students," she shared. "For only having a little over a month to prepare, these musicians have gone above and beyond in their diligent preparation to bring joyful and uplifting music to the audience."

The string orchestra will perform "Christmas With the Nutcracker," arranged by Katie O'Hara LaBrie. "This piece features many of the popular melodies from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's 'The Nutcracker,' which are then interwoven with traditional Christmas tunes," Bartlett explained. "Our second piece, 'Firelight, Candlelight,' by Robert Sieving, takes a slower, lyrical turn in the program, reminding listeners of a warm winter evening by the fire. After this gentle piece, we'll amp up the energy again with Lindsey Stirling's 'Celtic Carol' arranged for string orchestra by Sean O'Loughlin. This rhythmically intricate piece engages the audience with exciting, driving melodies from 'Carol of the Bells' and 'God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.'" To conclude their portion of the concert, members of the symphonic orchestra will perform Brian Balmages' "A Festive Fanfare," featuring traditional carols within Balmages' original fanfare melody, leaving listeners with a joyful and festive spirit.

The concert will also feature a performance by the Manheim Central High School concert choir, under the direction of Stephanie Magaro.

"We will perform 'Once Upon a December' from 'Anastasia'; 'O Love' by Elaine Hagenberg; 'Who Has Seen the Wind?' - a poem by Christina Rossetti, set to music by Bruce Tippette; and 'Carol of the Bells,'" Magaro shared. "(This) is a great chance for people to come out and support their local music and arts program, and (it's) an enjoyable, festive holiday afternoon. The program is quite varied. There is something for everyone!"

Money raised through donations will provide scholarships for a senior in the music department and one in the Interact Club. Advised by Amy Burdyn, Andrew Hollinger and Lu Ann Wise, Interact offers opportunities for students to serve their community.

"I really enjoy seeing the growth of the students in this club," Hollinger shared. "It's totally different seeing them in a classroom setting vs. seeing them out serving others in our community. Getting them serving others in the community helps them respect others more, and it helps them put others above themselves. Our motto for Interact Club is 'Service Above Self.' Elevating others above ourselves and seeing how that transforms students is just a really cool opportunity."

Interact vice president Kaleigh Enck has been a club member for three years.

"I've done a bunch of different service opportunities," she said. "I like volunteering at Home on Ferdinand. I've enjoyed providing babysitting during PTO meetings at the elementary schools. We help to coordinate a Christmas event at Star Barn to help raise money for adoption. There are so many fun ways we serve our community."