Picture the perfect holiday celebration with all the sounds, sights and even a visit from Santa Claus and you'll have a good idea of what to expect when Central Iowa Symphony takes the stage December 10.

The community orchestra will present its annual sounds of the season concert, A Holiday Portrait, in cooperation with businesses from the Ames Main Street Cultural District and Octagon Center for the Arts. The program will begin at 4 p.m. in Ames City Auditorium, 515 Clark Avenue.

Central Iowa Symphony music director and conductor James Hannon has selected a number of pieces to create musical snapshots of the holidays. His selections include a wide variety -- from the Irving Berlin's beloved "White Christmas" to a Polish dance from "A Christmas Eve" opera.

"When people hear these pieces, they often think of the holidays because that's when they often are performed," Hannon said. "Our holiday portrait also will include Handel's 'Water Music,' Greensleeves, and two selections from the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale."

To complete the picture-perfect image, Octagon Center for the Arts will provide artwork along a winter theme and created by Iowa artists. A number of downtown Ames businesses have contributed gifts that will be given to lucky concertgoers. Santa Claus also is scheduled to make an appearance.

"We especially want families to come to this concert," added Hannon. "We moved the time ahead to 4 o'clock so that people could spend the day shopping, celebrate with the Central Iowa Symphony, and then have dinner together at an Ames restaurant."

Also performing will be the Central Iowa Brass Quintet comprised from members of the Central Iowa Symphony. They include trumpet players Jim Perkins of Boone and Larry Hansen of Dayton; horn player Brian Bunn of Nevada; trombone player Pat McFarland of Nevada; and tuba player Jim Kilmer of Marshalltown.

Concert Conversations, an informal discussion with Maestro Hannon about the program, will be at 3:15 p.m. in the Ames City Council Chambers.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $11 for seniors (ages 65 years or older) and $5 for students of all ages, available at the door or at Big Table Books and Rieman Music in downtown Ames. Credit card orders available at Ames City Auditorium office, (515) 239-5360.