When Shelia Jackson says that the Shelia Jackson & Company Christmas Concert on Friday night will be a variety show, she means it.

The annual holiday concert is sponsored by the Troy Art Council and brings together a “variety” of talent from around the county and beyond.

“We have so much musical talent in and round Pike County that it amazes me,” Jackson said. “After the Christmas Concert each year, people come up to me and call saying that they were so impressed with the wide range of talent n the show. The Christmas Concert is a wonderful way to usher in the Christmas season and to showcase the talent that we have here.”

Each year, Jackson likes to invite new people to the stage.

“Our band is outstanding. Our accompanists are outstanding. Our backup singers are outstanding, as are our guest vocalists and musicians,” Jackson said. “And, of course so are the Troy University Dancers who will open the show with us. This year, we will have several new people on stage and we are excited to have them be a part of the Christmas show.”

Jackson said that Troy University’s very talented singing group, frequency, will sing in the show for the first time, as will the Troy University music fraternities, Phi Mu Alpha and Sigma Alpha Iota.

“They will join the entire cast on the finale and that should be something the audience and the cast will remember for a long time,” she said. “If you don’t leave filled with the Christmas spirit, then we didn’t do our job.”

Jackson will have two soloists, Dr. Diane Orlofsky and Susie Wood, who will join her for the first time.

“Everyone is familiar with Dr. Orlofsky’s talent and I am honored to share the stage with her,” Jackson said. “Susie will be incredible with ‘Will You Love Me Tomorrow.’ She will be backed by our backup singers.”

Ten children will join Jackson on “Silent Night” and that, too, will be a very moving moment in the show, she said.

“The first part of the Christmas concert will be a variety show while the last part will be all Christmas songs,” she said. “We’ll singing a variety of seasonal songs from ‘White Christmas’ and ‘Winter Wonderland’ to ‘Go Tell It on the Mountain’ and ‘O Holy Night.’ The finale is being kept under wraps.”

Tickets for the Shelia Jackson & Company Christmas Concert are $10 each.

“The Troy Arts Council wants the Christmas concert to be affordable,” Jackson said. “This concert is really the TAC’s gift to the community at Christmas time. We hope everyone will come and experience the joy of Christmas in song, dance and music.”

Tickets will be available at the door. Show time is 7 p.m. Friday at the Claudia Crosby Theater on the campus of Troy University.