The holiday season isn’t complete without some classic holiday music to get people in the mood for winter festivities.

 Each year, the Cal High bands perform at winter concerts with songs that are sure to spark the holiday spirit in everyone.

Jazz band and jazz ensemble performed on Tuesday their first of three sets that includeclassics such as “Angels We Have Heard on High” with unique jazz twists. 

One song, played by jazz ensemble, called “The Christmas Song” was a slow ballad version of the classic song, “Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire.”

“That song is pretty different,” said senior Dylan Wirawan, a pianist in jazz ensemble. “Most of the song is comprised of trumpets and a little piano accompaniment. It has a pretty cool sound.”

Sophomore Lexie Giles, a bassist in jazz ensemble, said the bands have prepared the set for about two months prior to the concert

Symphonic band and wind ensemble performed  on Wednesday a set of classical holiday pieces including “The Night Before Christmas” and “Celtic Carol”. 

Both bands feature a large variety of wind, brass, and percussion instruments including flutes, clarinets, and trumpets.

“For the past couple years, we’ve done feature pieces,” said senior and tenor saxophone player Nika Worth. “This year, we [did] ‘Night Before Christmas’ that Michael Bahk narrated. It’s pretty cool showing off other people’s talents outside of just instrumental music.”

Those who missed the first two band performances can still enjoy some great holiday tunes tonight at the orchestra performance, which will be in the Cal High theater at 7 p.m. 

The string orchestra and chamber orchestra will be performing holiday favorites such as “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” and “The First Noel.”

“We work really hard on the set list Mr. (Kent) Johnson chooses,” said junior Danna Kim, a percussionist in chamber orchestra. “We are also a band class that Cal High hasn’t had in a long time, so it’s like a cool comeback.”

Watching the band concerts is a great way to support the program and get in the holiday mood with live music performed by some of the many talented students here.

Another upcoming winter performance is the annual choir concert that will be on Dec. 21 at 7 pm in the Cal High theater. Tickets are $10.

“We have a wide variety of holiday pieces,” said choir instructor Nicholas Patton.“There’s one song in Hebrew, one in Spanish, and other songs about winter.”

The performance will also feature the first Cal High jazz choir, which started just this year.

 In addition, alumni of Cal’s choir program will be invited to perform a piece along with this year’s students. 

The concert will be a great way to relax after finals and get ready for the holidays.