The soothing sounds of Christmas music will fill Birmingham’s Boutwell Auditorium tonight. More than 1,000 students are expected to perform at the Birmingham City Schools’ 77th annual All-City Christmas Music Festival. The event is free and open to the public.

The group got in a final rehearsal Wednesday at the Boutwell preparing for the highly-anticipated event.

Boutwell Auditorium to host annual holiday concert featuring students from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.

Birmingham Schools’ Fine Arts Department Coordinator John McAphee was on hand for the rehearsal. McAphee, 68, was an elementary school student in the 1950s when he started performing in the annual concert. He went on to become band director from 1971 to 1997.

McAphee says guests will be treated to sounds of the season at this annual favorite.

Special guest seating area for the concert. (Keisa Sharpe/Alabama NewsCenter)

Student musicians rehearse under the direction of John McAphee Jr. (Keisa Sharpe/Alabama NewsCenter)

Student musicians rehearse under the direction of John McAphee Jr. (Keisa Sharpe/Alabama NewsCenter)

A view of the performance stage at the Boutwell Auditorium as the students rehearse. (Keisa Sharpe/Alabama NewsCenter)

Christmas lights and decorations set a festive mood at the Boutwell Auditorium. (Keisa Sharpe/Alabama NewsCenter)

Student musicians rehearse under the direction of John McAphee Jr. (Keisa Sharpe/Alabama NewsCenter)

This stage will be filled with performances Thursday night as the All-City Christmas Music Festival gets underway. (Keisa Sharpe/Alabama NewsCenter)

The school district’s Fine Arts Department is putting on this event and it will feature performers from elementary to high school.

Students from the bands, orchestras, choirs, art and drama departments will perform a medley. The festival kicks off at 7 p.m.