The Mississippi School of the Arts will host its chorale winter concert today at 7 p.m. in the Lampton Auditorium at 110 S. Jackson St.

There is no charge for admission, and the whole community is invited.

Vocal music teacher Patton Rice said the 29-student choir has been hard at work rehearsing their songs. Even the traditional Christmas carols are arranged to provide a challenge for the choir, he said.

“We do ‘Deck the Halls,’ but we do it in a James McKelvy arrangement,” Rice said. “It’s in an asymmetrical meter, which makes it really interesting and also harder.”

It’s been a busy semester for the group, which has spent some of its time performing in businesses and nursing homes. They’ll be accompanied at the concert by Cindy Hunter. This marks the final concert of the semester for MSA.

MSA will also be holding an “Excerpts of the Nutcracker” dance performance on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 16 at noon. The event will take place in MSA’s Enochs Black Box Theater on 355 W. Monticello St. Admission is free.