The Demopolis High School band is getting into the holiday spirit as it begins preparations for its annual Christmas concert.

As football season winds to a close, the marching musicians are beginning to learn and tweak their collection of Yuletide selections in anticipation of the Nov. 29 concert.

“The last few weeks of marching band, we start devoting time in class to working on our concert stuff,” Demopolis High School band director Matt Fields said.

The concert will feature an opening act performance from the 19 members middle school band members before the 40 high school entertainers take to the stage.

“The middle school band will be doing three (songs) and the high school band will be doing four to six,” Fields said. “For the beginners, it is the first chance they have to really perform songs they know in front of everybody.”

Selections will include a number of holiday favorites, including Sleigh Ride, The Christmas Song and Christmastime with Charlie Brown.

“We’re not as able to do as many pieces with the Christmas concert as we are in the spring,” Fields said, referring to the time constraints created by trying to mesh marching band season and a Christmas concert into the same semester. “So we try and do pieces that are enjoyable and recognizable.”

While the transition involves some difficult juggling, Fields said the Christmas concert has long been a favorite of Demopolis’ instrumental ensemble.

“It’s always really enjoyable for them,” Fields said. “There are some pieces we keep from year to year because the students really like them and keep asking for them.”

The concert is set for Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. at the Demopolis High School auditorium.

Admission is free to the public but donations to the band program will be accepted.