More than 40 musicians are prepared to woo the Niles community with a medley of holiday songs during the Niles Area Community Orchestra’s second annual Christmas Festival. The concert will take place from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 at the Niles District Library, 620 E. Main St.

Violinist Mary Jane Thomas, of Niles, said the concert is one of the orchestra’s most esteemed performances.

“If you don’t have the Christmas spirt when you get there, you will have it when you leave,” Thomas said.

The concert will include the performance of a number of holiday classics, including “Jingle Bells,” “Silent Night” and “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire.” Those who attend are invited to sing along to the music.

Orchestra director Valerie Rumpf said the concert promises to be high energy and ideal for anyone with a love for music.

There is no admission cost for the event, but those who attend are asked to bring food to the concert to donate to the Niles Salvation Army Food Pantry. A donation barrel will be available at the library to drop the items off. Last year, the event collected several barrels full of food.

Rumpf has owned and operated the Music Academies in Niles for about 15 years. The business is located at 115 N. Third St. and provides music lessons to more than 200 students. 

Rumpf said that giving back to the community has always been an important value.

“I’m all about giving back,” Rumpf said. “We play for the community and then the community helps members of the community in return.”

In 2012, Rumpf decided to expand her gift for sharing music and developed a community based orchestra, where musicians across all ages and abilities could gather to play music.

“I just wanted to offer something to [Niles] that wasn’t there before,” Rumpf said.

Sandra Redman heard about the orchestra and, despite initially having some doubts about her abilities as a musician,  decided to join the orchestra. Looking back, Redman said she can’t believe all she has learned from Rumpf and the other musicians, who fill out the sound of the community orchestra. 

What started as a small band of musicians has grown to more than 40 players, who range in age from 14 to 80 years of age. And while their abilities may vary, Rumpf said each musician brings their own unique talent and sound to the team.

“You are never too old to learn or participate,” Rumpf said.

Both Redman and Thomas commended Rumpf’s musical ability and knack for knowing how to re-write music to feature the orchestra’s strength, while giving them a sense of ownership for each piece they play.

“It’s hard to find a group like this,” Thomas said. “How lucky are we that there 39 other people that want to get together to play music?”

The orchestra meets each week and rehearses at the library. They typically play four concerts each year. Each concert is designed around a new theme that inspires the players. One year the orchestra did a “Pirates of the Caribbean” theme and invited concert goers to attend in pirate garb. They also play music inspired by the latest pop songs.

Rumpf encouraged the community to attend the yearly Christmas concert and to join the orchestra if they are interested.

“We are always looking for new players,” Rumpf said.

For more, visit themusicacademies.com