Those of us who are lucky enough to come home for Christmas may soon land on the tarmac, eyes glued to the seat belt sign, our phones at the ready.

Maybe we try not to run through the airport, and wrap each other in bear hugs and wonder how it’s been so long, and marvel at how we’ve managed to wander so far and not be lost for good. Maybe we drive home belting out Christmas songs, because what better way to thank our lucky stars for home and the holidays than to sing about it?

On Dec. 16-17, the Austin Public Schools music departments invites us once again to spend Christmas at Home. With three performances featuring three unique lineups, the variety show is a chance for our community to experience the breadth and depth of local musical talent. And with both instrumental and vocal performances, there will again be something for everyone.

Several of the school district’s music directors come together annually to organize the event in their spare time because, as Katie Tharp (director of choirs at Neveln and Sumner Elementary schools) says, “Something magical happens when you can gather students from a young age all the way to community members who have performed for years in one concert.”

In addition to student groups, this year’s performers include Pam Koser, Kaye Perry, and Penny Kinney’s Forever Christmas ensemble, along with returning acts like Taylor Bliese, The Peter Jacobs Trio, and Brian Koser. The full lineups are available online at austinareaarts.org.

While Austin Public Schools boast no shortage of performance spaces, Christmas at Home will take place at the Paramount Theatre—one of only two atmospheric theatres still operating in Minnesota. Event organizers cite the theatre’s beauty and history as two major reasons to present the show there. “Austin is lucky that we have such a beautiful theatre available to our community,” said Ellis choir director Maria Wilson.

Katie Tharp adds, “It is such an incredible venue to perform in. Looking out at the theatre is like traveling back in time. I love to think about everyone who has performed there in the past and that the theater lives on.”

Why organize an event like Christmas at Home? “Music is a significant part of the Austin community and an event like Christmas at Home celebrates the variety of talent that is right here in our schools and town,” says Southgate choir director Dave Hovland. “What better way to celebrate our community and the musicianship of our hometown musicians than gathering together?”

Maria Wilson also stresses the significance of that togetherness.

“I think it’s important to have an event that brings all facets of our community together to celebrate,” she said. “We all come from different cultures and places, but music has the ability to bring all of us together.”

I believe she’s right. Christmas at Home will, if we allow it, transcend its role as a holiday variety show (a worthy undertaking on its own). And after a very long year, we could all use such an event. Abraham Lincoln himself likened the unification of people to music, saying in his First Inaugural Address: “The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.” If there is a place and a time for such chords of memory, and for such angels, surely it is the Paramount at Christmastime.

Christmas at Home performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16 and 2 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17.

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door, and $5 for students, and are available online at austinareaarts.org or at the Austin ArtWorks Center (300 N Main St.) Proceeds from the show will help fund the many fantastic musical resources and opportunities provided by the APS Music Department.

In addition to the main event, the Austin Big Band (along with a few special guests) will be performing a special concert at the Hormel Historic Home on Saturday December 17 from 4:30 – 6:30. The event will be catered by 3B eatery, and folks can even take a dance lesson while the band plays. Tickets are available through the Hormel Historic Home for $12.