AMES, Iowa -- Santa will bring greetings from the North Pole and Ames' newest confectionary will bring chocolate to Central Iowa Symphony's family holiday concert on Saturday, December 9.

Ames' only community orchestra, the Central Iowa Symphony, invites friends, neighbors, relatives and co-workers to join them for their annual Sounds of the Season holiday concert. The concert will begin at 4 p.m. in Ames City Auditorium at 5th and Clark Avenue. The program is designed for families of all ages.

Santa Claus will direct the festivities, which will include traditional Christmas favorites as well as two Hanukah pieces performed by the 60-member orchestra. Chocolaterie Stam, the Ames franchise of the Des Moines-based store owned by Terry and Anne Stark, also will bring chocolate samples for concert-goers. The new store, located at 230 Main in downtown Ames, sells European-style chocolates and coffee.

Central Iowa Symphony music director and conductor James Hannon has selected a number of pieces to flavor the holiday program. The orchestra will perform two versions of "Sleigh Ride," the beloved version composed by Leroy Anderson and a lesser-known rendition written by Leopold Mozart (whose son Wolfgang went on to gain fame). Concert goers also can look forward to several selections from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Ballet.

"We especially want families to come to this concert," said Hannon. "Normally our concerts are in the evening but we moved the time ahead so that people could spend the day shopping, celebrate with the Central Iowa Symphony, and then have dinner together at an Ames restaurant."

Tickets are $14 for adults, $11 for seniors and $5 for students of all ages (children 5 and under are free). They may be purchased at Reiman Music in downtown Ames, via credit card by calling Ames City Auditorium, (515) 239-5360, or at the door.

Central Iowa Symphony is celebrating its 20th season. Other concerts include "Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales" on February 24 and "A Musical Flight" on May 4.