Members of Austin High School’s Austinaires are rolling up their collective sleeves and getting to work this holiday season.

While most of us are enjoying holiday events, this group of 26 juniors and seniors will perform no less than 29 times through the holidays, said director Brian Johnson.

“There are more requests than that,” he said. “But there are times when we just have to say ‘no. The part-chamber, part- swing choir s busy in other activities, too,’” he said. “It’s a very busy time of the year,” he said.

It did not appear, though, that singing with the group was anything less than fun when they were recording their appearance on public television station, KSMQ on Monday. The group will be featured in holiday  programming.

Outfitted in sparkling black and red outfits, the group rehearsed and recorded different takes, all with smiles on their faces.

The group’s performances have become a tradition in Austin, founded in its early beginnings of the 1950s. Johnson, who is in his 30th year leading the group, said performances during the holidays have grown since the 1960s.

Austinaires KSMQ performance

The appearance of the Austinaires on the annual KSMQ Christmas program will be aired at 9 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 18; at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 22; at 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 23; and at 7:30 p.m. on Christmas Day, Sunday, Dec. 25.

The group, in addition to performing at different churches, senior homes and nursing home events, will have a program at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 7, and at noon on Dec. 14, at the Hormel Historic Home; at 7:15 p.m. at the Austin ArtWorks Center; and at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16, at the Christmas at Home event at the Paramount Theatre.

The AHS holiday concert will be at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 19 at Knowlton Auditorium.