Maine West's Show band will swing along yuletide style under the direction of Mr. J. Spears in the 1961 Christmas concert to be held tonight at 8:00 p.m. in the auditorium. Highlighted, also, will be special childrens' Christmas songs and a Christmas cantata, "The Song of Christmas."

Three outstanding numbers of the band will be "A Theme Congenial," an arrangement by Mr. Spears, rollicking Glenn M ill e r version of "Jingle ,Bells," and Gershwin's 11 Is Wonderful." Vocalizing in the Gershwin number will be Ingrid Gustus '63, Sue Conn '64, Marcia Relph '62, Jean Mitran '63, and Pat Martin '64.

The Christmas cantata, "The Song of Christmas," will be directed by Mr. W. Schafer. Participating will be members of the Girls' Glee club, the A Cappella choir, and the Boys' chorus. A nativity scene will be presented on the stage with John Schafer '63, narrating. "The Song of Christmas" will take the place of the "Hallelujah chorus," traditionally sung in former years.

Two Christmas folk songs will be presented by the combined Boys' chorus singing "Here We Come A-Wassailing," an old English carol, and the Choraliers singing the beautiful "Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head," an early American carol from the Appalachian mountains. The A Cappella choir will make its appearance singing, "Hodie, Christus Natus Est," in Latin.

For the first time in the history of the Maine West music department, all the string players will be assembled in one presentation, directed by Mrs. Mildred Heidorn. The 60 players will perform "A Wreath of Carols," an arrangement of seven old Christmas songs from European lands. "Dans Cette Estable" ("In That Stable"), by Charles Gournod, will give "un air francais" to the performance. The "Hampshire Carol" is one of the oldest English carols in existence. Another British carol to be played is "The Waits' Song," or "The Moon Shines Bright." The "Furry Day Song" has an illustrious history dating back to Robin Hood and the Spanish Armada. "Baloo‑loo Lammy" was crooned by Scottish mothers to their children since the year 1600. "A Carol of Mary," a Basque song, and the "Old Twelfth Night Song" also will be played.

The Concert Orchestra will present "Christopher the Christmas Tree," with John Schafer narrating, "Toy Train," "Toyland," and "Gesu Bambino," by Pietro A. Yon.

Children's Christmas specials presented by the Concert Band will include "The March of the Toys," "The Clock in the Toy Shop," "Frosty the Snowman," and others. Animating "Frosty the Snowman" will be the Maine West twirlers Gretchen Rider '62, Peggy Seiffert '62, Janet Edwards '62, and Vicki Webster '62. Foreign flavor will be added with the Noel francais which will include "Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella," "The First Noel," "Angels We Have Heard on High," and "Willie, Take Your Drum."

Admission is with activity tickets, Music Booster cards, or $1.