The Lehighton Area Middle School Music Department will present their 18th annual holiday program Wednesday, Dec. 15, in the auditorium.

The fifth and sixth grade groups will begin at 6:30 p.m.The seventh and eighth grade band and choirs will start at 7:45 p.m.Doors open at 6 p.m.The Jazz Ensemble will begin the program."Herald Angel Swing," a laid-back swing piece, will kick off the concert. Gary Higgins, a eighth grade saxophonist, will be featured on this first selection.Next, the Jazz Ensemble will perform a rockin' selection entitled "Who Let the Elves Out," which is based off the carol "Good King Wenceslas." Evan Haberman and Chris Lawler will be featured on this number.The jazz ensemble is under the direction of Thomas Weidner.The fifth and sixth grade band, under the direction of Weidner, will perform next. It will open with the spirited "Winter's Sleigh Ride, followed by Carols of Joy, a medley of three carols.The band will perform the popular French carol, "Papatan," and close with the Elvis Presley classic, "Blue Christmas."The Treble Chorale, consisting of fifth and sixth graders under the direction of Weiderner, will conclude the first half of the program, performing "Deck the Hall With Holly," "Hanukkah Feeling," "Peace, Peace, Peace," and "Holiday Rock."The seventh and eighth grade portion will begin with the show choir, Music Express Junior, under the direction of Laura Welkey.This portion opens with the selection "Run, Rudolph, Run," followed by the Beach Boys hit "Little Saint Nick."The modern classic, "All I Want For Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey will conclude the program.Riley Durishin, Holly Hinkle, Sophia Everett, and Ellen Perkins are featured on the first and last numbers.The seventh and eighth grade concert, directed by Beth Perkins, performs "Christmas Tidings," Pachelbel Canon," "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy," and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."Next, the seventh and eight grade chorus under the direction of Welke performs. They open with "Come Join In Singing," followed by "Gloria."Mike Shanton and Chris Lawler will be featured in their next selection, "Bright Star Shining."Next the chorus will perform another original by Andy Beck, "The Snow Begins to Fall."The Choraliers conclude their portion of the program with "Perfect Christmas Night" from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."Emily Cerimele and Holly Hinkle will accompany the chorus on piano for two of their selections.The program concludes with the seventh and eight grade band and chorus combining to present "Season's Greetings."The concert is open to the public.