Only the innocent voices of children can make the Christmas season seem even more magical when the Southern Illinois Children’s Choir performs its sixth annual concert, titled Music for the Season, in Shryock Auditorium this weekend.

The choir is part of SIUC’s Youth Music program, which also includes youth activities such as the Suzuki Strings and Suzuki piano. The choir has 85 children in grades fourth through eighth representing 20 communities . Gary K. Ritcher, assistant professor in the School of Music who directs the choir, said it is divided into three groups by experience:apprentices, singers and choristers the highest.

He said that during the year, they practice once a week and do four or five concerts as well as an area tour each summer.

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He said the concert has gotten so many audience members that it has to be held in Shryock Auditorium instead of St. Andrews Catholic Church on South Popular Street where it originated.

Ritcher said that this year, the concert will have guest artists, a candlelight singalong and audience participation.

We wanted to involve the audience in the concert, he said.

He said some of the songs the audience will participate in are Joy to the World, The First Noel and Silent Night.

He said the choir will perform a swing version of Jingle Bells with SIUC professor Dr. Robert Allison on trumpet.

The theme of this concert is peace, he said. We will sing seasonal music, not just Christmas.

He said the choir will sing and dance to Zol Zain, a Jewish Hanukkah song.

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The choir will also sing Noel Des Enfants (Noel of the Children). Ritcher said the song was written during World War II.

The song is very timely, he said. In the words it mentions Serbian children. We wanted people to think of more than Santa and parties for the holidays.

He said the concert is a good way to listen to good music by children and adults.

Music for the Season plays at 7 p.m. Sunday at Shryock Auditorium . Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children and can be purchased at the Student Center Ticket Office or from choir members.