COLLEGEVILLE - The air will fill with holiday choral music out in Collegeville before too long.

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For over 30 years, the campus of St. John's University has presented the beloved "Christmas at St. John's" concerts, and it debuts the 2012 show tonight.

The program, comprised of an ensemble of choirs and orchestras, is based in many years of musical tradition at the University.

Axel Theimer has been directing music at St. John's for 44 years. He says "Christmas at St. John's" wasn't a formal musical program when he arrived, but rather a group of students and community members who would gather on campus to sing carols around a Christmas tree.

Theimen directs the Amadeus Chamber Society, the St. Ben's/St. John's Chamber Choir, and the St. John's Men Chorus, three of the seven ensembles featured in the show.

Theimen says each group has their own unique set of classic work by composers like Bach, Mendelsson and Handel, alongside newer pieces.

The show also features the music of the St. Ben's Women's Choir, The St. Ben's/St. John's Brass Choir,  the St. John's Boys Choir and the Gregorian Chant Schola.

Concertgoers will also be encouraged to join in singing carols throughout the perfomance.

"Christmas at St. John's" begins Friday at 8:00 p.m in the Great Hall on the St. John's Campus. They'll hold a second show tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. before leaving for their final performance at 8:00 p.m. at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis.

For ticket information and availability, visit the CSB-SJU online.

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