Troy University will ring in the Christmas season with its traditional “Sounds of the Season” concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Claudia Crosby Theater on the campus of Troy University.

The concert is presented by the John M. Long School of Music and the College of Communication and Fine Art and is free and open to the public.

Megan King-Johnson, Long School adjunct vocal faculty, said “Sounds of the Season” is a collaboration of many departments and will feature performances by the Symphony Band, Collegiate Singers, Troy Dance Theater, Concert Chorale, frequency, Gospel Choir, Jazz Ensemble, POPulus, Guitar Ensemble, an Irish Ensemble and faculty soloists.

“The production will include new music and songs as well as familiar Christmas songs including ‘Little Drummer Boy,’ ‘Carol of the Bells’ and “Mary Did You Know?’ The audience will be invited to participate with the singing of ‘Silent Night.’ The ‘Sounds of the Season’ concert will close with all the choirs and the symphony band coming together for the ‘Hallelujah Chorus.’”

King-Johnson said the “Sounds of the Season” concert will be filled with beautiful holiday music and is the perfect way to begin the holiday season.

“Following the concert, everyone will be invited to participate in the lighting of the campus Christmas tree adjacent to the theater,” King-Johnson said. “Just follow the line of traffic out the door to the lighting of the tree.”

The “Sounds of the Season” also serves as the opening concert of the 2015 Middle School Southeastern United States Honor Band weekend. More than 500 middle school students will participate.

The Middle School SEUS honor bands will perform the event’s closing concert at 10 a.m. Saturday in Sartain Hall. The public is invited.