The joyous music of the Christmas season will ring out as the Moore County Choral Society presents its annual holiday concert, "Everywhere Christmas Tonight," in Owens Auditorium at Sandhills Community College on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 2 and 3.

Under the direction of Anne Dorsey, more than 100 singers will join their voices in a program that includes "A Festival of Carols," "Christmas in the Manger," "Gettin' in the Mood for Christmas," and "Holiday Favorites."

One of the songs, "The Dream Isaiah Saw," was begun in July 2001. Composer Glenn Rudolph chose a paraphrase of Isaiah's vision of peace among the people of God and all creation. The poetry, by Thomas Troeger, mixes the dream of the prophet with the conditions of modern life.

A soloist, followed by the chorus, sings the words of Isaiah and beseeches the baby Jesus to make the vision of the prophet a certainty by coming into our hearts.

Interestingly, the piece was finished on Sept. 30, 2001, immediately after the horror of Sept. 11. It had become apparent to the composer that the words were suitable and apt for that time. The piece was dedicated to those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.

Donald McCullough, composer of "Hodie," is the director of the Master Chorale of Washington, D.C. His music has been performed extensively in the U.S. and abroad.

The Moore County Choral Society will also be performing his arrangement of "Go Tell it on the Mountain."

These works and other favorite selections of the season will be accompanied by Moore Brass: Chris Dunn and Rob Hill, trumpets; Kim Clark, French horn; Chris Shaw, trombone; and Davis Clark, tuba.

Additional accompanists are MariJo Brown, piano; Michael Howe, organist; Wayne and Nate Osborne, percussion; Jamie Bream, saxophone; and Darlene Skinner, piano.

Tickets for the Dec. 2 concert, at 8 p.m., and the Dec. 3 concert, at 4 p.m., are $10. They are available in advance from the Campbell House, The Country Bookshop, or by calling Ann Covington, MCCS Board of Directors member, at 910-315-8336.

Tickets are also available at the door.