To the touch, brass feels smooth. To the eyes, brass looks shiny. To the ears, brass sounds cool, clean and crisp.

At Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, brass sounds like Christmas.

"I would be challenged to put into words what brass sounds like," said Chuck Book, who's been Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd's Fine Arts Series communication chair for 25 years. "It's not jazz. It's not anything anyone would call modern. It has a very calming, nostalgic feel to it. But it fills the room. Some of the pieces are slower and quieter, and some have more impact."

Now, Book wasn't referring to just any brass music; he was speaking about the kind created by the five-piece ensemble QuintEssentially Brass. As part of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd's continuing Fine Arts Series, QuintEssentially Brass will present a medley of holiday music and traditional favorites during a performance at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30, inside the church's sanctuary at 750 Greenfield Road, Lancaster.

The concert, which is designed to celebrate the Advent season and usher in the holidays, is free to attend and open to the public. The 90-minute performance, which features 12 musical numbers, will be divided by a 15-minute intermission, during which a freewill, pay-what-you-can offering will be accepted toward the church's Fine Arts Series.

Following the show, free light refreshments will be served during a reception in the Martin Luther Room, where guests will be afforded an opportunity to meet the musicians.

"It's an evening that's supposed to be fun and exciting," said Book. "It's supposed to be a concert that makes us all think Christmas. It'll put us in the Christmas spirit. This is a visitor-friendly atmosphere with ushers, and we're expecting a pretty good turnout. People seem to be looking for connection, for things to do."

QuintEssentially Brass musicians and husband-and-wife duo Doug and Kristen Albert are members of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, while the band is rounded out by Gene Clark, Andy Walls and Geoff Davis. A Lancaster resident, Davis plays the tuba; Walls toots the trombone and lives in Lititz; Clark hails from Lancaster and plays the trumpet; and, both from Lancaster, Kristen plays the horn and Doug plays the trumpet.

After 16 years together, members of QuintEssentially Brass are planning to retire at the end of the year.

"I'm somebody who likes music a lot, and they're terrific," said Book. "They really are outstanding musicians. I don't think they'd be together for 16 years if there wasn't not only a sense of camaraderie, but also an appreciation of their talents. They're approachable people, too."

More than 150 music enthusiasts are expected to attend the concert.

"As far as the pieces go, I don't think I can pick out one particular one and say I like it over the others," Book said. "The brass music is so fresh. When you have the brass, it gives you that old English feel to Christmas. There is an element of nostalgia to the music. There are some fun and light-hearted pieces. It's music that can move people. It's just a great evening."

The Fine Arts Series was established at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd more than 30 years ago. Moving forward, the cultural series will feature the Mennonite Children's Choir of Lancaster at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 12, and the Lancaster British Brass Band at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 31.

"We try to bring in people of note who would be of interest to the public," said Book. "The music is secular and sacred. We're looking for music, ensembles, choirs, choruses, orchestras and bands that can perform at a very high level."

"We want the world to know we're a very welcoming congregation," he added. "We have a very generous congregation. We put a lot of stock in our music at church. We want to do the thing we're called to do as a church. People are welcomed for who they are; we aren't judging anybody."

For additional information, go to http://www.goodshepherdlancaster.org/home.