Joyful sounds from area schools begin Dec. 9

Members of the Crestview High School chorus begin the 2012 Christmas concert with a candlelight a capella performance of "Carol of the Bells."

CRESTVIEW — Local schools are squeezing in final rehearsals and putting last-minute touches on their annual Christmas chorus and band concerts.

Performances are free unless otherwise noted. Here are scheduled area school Christmas concerts:

Baker School Middle and High School combined chorus: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9, Baker School Auditorium

Shoal River Middle School chorus: 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10, Shoal River Middle School gymnasium

Davidson Middle School chorus: 7 p.m. Dec. 10, Crestview High School Pearl Tyner Auditorium

Baker School Middle and High School bands:7:30 p.m., Dec. 10, Baker School Auditorium

Crestview High School chorus: 7 p.m. Dec. 12, Crestview High School Pearl Tyner Auditorium. The concert concludes with the chorus and alumni performance of the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's "Messiah." Admission: $5 adult, $2 students

Shoal River Middle School band:7 p.m. Dec. 13, Shoal River Middle School gymnasium

Davidson Middle School band:time TBA, Dec. 13, Crestview High School Pearl Tyner Auditorium

Crestview High School band: 7 p.m. Dec. 17, Crestview High School Pearl Tyner Auditorium

Audience members should avoid coming and going during a number, avoid talking, turn off cell phones, remove unruly children and avoid flash photography.

"The flashes temporarily blind the singers so they can't see me, and they need to see me," Crestview High School choral music director Kevin Lusk said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Joyful sounds from area schools begin Dec. 9