NATCHEZ — Locals can see signs that Christmas is coming all around them — from the Main Street Christmas tree to wreaths on doors — and this weekend they can hear Christmas, too, as Alcorn students’ harmonic voices echo through St. Mary Basilica.

At 7 p.m. Sunday, Alcorn State University students will lift their voices in song during the annual holiday concert, which is free, open to the public and sponsored by the Natchez Festival of Music.

“The Natchez Festival of Music has been sponsoring the Alcorn Choir for years,” festival chairman, Diana Glaze, said. “They provide an excellent opening to the Christmas season. … They are so professional and have such tight harmony. I don’t know how to say enough good things about their performance. Under the direction of Miss Alexander, they are well on their way to a professional music career.”

Choir director, Alana Alexander, said this year’s performance is dedicated in honor and memory of Jayla Gray, an Alcorn student who died in a storm-related automobile accident on Nov. 1 when the vehicle struck a tree.

“It was her second year in the choir,” Alexander said, “and she is dearly missed.”

Alexander said this weekend’s music has been in the making since October and features performances across several genres and ensembles.

“We have — of course — Alcorn’s Concert Choir, our Chamber Singers, our men and women’s choirs, we have a few soloists and have an array of different music from different composers and different genres,” she said.

Alexander said attendees would hear holiday-oriented music from classical to contemporary, including two movements from Vivaldi’s “Gloria” and other familiar tunes such as “Carol of the Bells,” “Silent Night” and some new music from more recent composers such as Rosephanye Powell.

“The talent we have is immaculate, to me,” Alexander said. “These students take on every challenge and can do anything that is presented to them. I’m excited to do this concert so others can see what we’ve been working on.”