The Troy Arts Council brings a variety of stage entertainment to the Claudia Crosby Theater each year but none is bigger than the Shelia Jackson & Company Holiday Concert.

Dr. William Denison, TAC president, said the Shelia Jackson & Company Holiday Concert is one of the most popular events on the TAC’s annual calendar.

“Shelia’s concert is professionally done,” he said. “You won’t go anywhere and find a greater wealth of talent and a better show. Shelia and her friends put together a terrific show that is both a variety show and a holiday show.”

Jackson said this year’s holiday concert will feature a large “company” of vocalists, musicians and dancers.

“This will be the biggest ‘company’ ever for our concert and we are working hard to make it the best holiday concert that we’ve had,” Jackson said.

The 2012 Shelia Jackson & Company Holiday Concert will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30 at the Claudia Crosby Theater on the campus of Troy University.

“The Holiday Concert is family entertainment and the Troy Arts Council keeps the ticket price at $10 to make it affordable for families,” Jackson said. “It is a concert that people of all ages will enjoy.”

The first half of the concert features a variety of music and the second half is all holiday music. Prelude music for both the variety and holiday portions of the concert will be Dr. Ken Chancey from Enterprise.

The Troy University Dancers will be featured in the opening number of the Holiday Concert and will get the concert off to an upbeat start.

Jackson will be backed by the popular trio of Dorsey Fayson, Christine Barron and Carnell Barron. The “Company” band features Henry Everett, David Everett, Larry Thomas, Jason Flowers, Patrick Jackson, Mike Tyner and Johnny Brewer.

“I could not have better backup singers or a better band,” Jackson said. “They are outstanding and we have a good time working together. They are committed to the Holiday Concert.”

Jackson said the concert will feature a parade of vocalists including Marge Simmons of Enterprise, who will be back from last year’s concert by popular demand, and Susie Norman Wood, who will sing the Shirelles’ hit song, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow.”

The Troy University jazz ensemble frequency will also perform several selections.

Jackson will sing a variety of hit songs, including those made popular by Whitney Houston and Gladys Knight. She will be accompanied by Dr. Jon Jinright on the piano for both the variety and holiday portions of concert.

After a short intermission, Jackson & Company will usher in the Christmas season with many of the carols of Christmas, a favorite spiritual and favorite holiday songs.

“O Holy Night,” “Ave Maria,” “Go Tell it on the Mountain” and “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” are indications of the variety of Christmas music that will be featured after intermission.

Dr. C.P. Nobles from Tuskegee will join Jackson for a song or two and Elder Andrew T. Holtz, Jr. will be featured in an arrangement of the traditional “Joy to the World.”

“Having a group of young children to sing with me on ‘Silent Night’ is very special and meaning for me,” Jackson said.

Jackson is keeping the finale a secret but she did say that two Troy University fraternities, Phi Mu Alpha and Sigma Alpha Iota, will join her and the entire cast of singers and musicians in bringing the 2012 Shelia Jackson & Company Holiday Concert to a meaningful close. The finale will be directed by Dr. Jacquelyn Denson.

“A lot of hard work has gone into the holiday concert,” Jackson said. “But I enjoy singing and we all enjoy doing the concert because it brings people from all walks of life together. People come from out of town for the concert. The Holiday Concert is the Troy Arts Council’s gift to the community. We are blessed to be a part of it and hope that it is a blessing to those who share this holiday concert with us.”