Walking into Huntley’s performing arts center, the loud rumble of about 200 hundred voices echoes off the sound boards. The audience lights faded and up came the blue green lighted background to set the mood for the holiday concert. The first band lines up to take their seats on stage with instruments in hand. Tonight, they will have to show the audience what they have been working on tediously for the past few months.

At 7 and 8 o’clock on the evening of Dec. 17, the Huntley bands take the stage to perform what they have been working on for about two months.In the first concert, the Wind Symphony and the Freshmen band performed. The Wind Ensemble A, Wind Ensemble B, and the Jazz Ensemble played the second concert.

“I think everybody in the audience can expect a pretty interesting concert with a very wide mix of music,” said band director Nick Konwerski. “Hopefully there is something that everyone will like.”

While this year’s fall concert was a theme of Sousa marches, this winter’s unofficial theme was a classical transcriptions of original works of music. Some of the transcriptions included “The Nutcracker Suite” and Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony 4 Finale.”

“I believe even if you’re not a classical music fan, just about everyone is going to appreciate and enjoy the Tchaikovsky finale for what it’s worth since it’s so full of energy and passion,” said Konwerski.

Also, each band played holiday tunes and contemporary music. At the end of each concert, bands joined together to play the holiday tune, “Sleigh Ride” as a holiday tradition. Normally Konwerski conducts “Sleigh Ride” but he sprung the performance on the second Performers are allowed to wear Santa hats and any kind of holiday gear.

The next concert will be in March. The Wind Ensemble A will be performing with the ensemble from Del Webb.