Southwest Colorado Concerts kicked off its holiday season with a performance by the Mancos Valley Chorus on Tuesday.

The chorus sang traditional songs as well as twists on tradition.

The 32 members of the chorus, led by director Kriss Larsen and accompanied on piano by Lee Bartley, gave a lively performance.

The group opened with a vocal and bell ensemble and went on to perform more twists on holiday favorites using a few props.

The performance was free, as are all performances by the Mancos Valley Chorus.

The chorus’ theme this year is, “Ding Dong! Merrily On High,” a program that includes unexpected versions of familiar holiday favorites, as well as more contemporary songs, according to a news release.

The performers kept their full house entertained throughout the evening.

The Mancos Valley Chorus was founded in the early 2000s, according to Brent McWhirter, tenor and publicity head of the Mancos Valley Chorus.

“The main thing is our commitment to the community in bringing joy through the sound of music,” he said. “It is kind of our motto.”

In addition to the performance, the chorus played host to a Christmas Tree Auction, sponsored by different groups throughout the community.

Each tree was created by a different entity and were up for bid.

One of the organizers of the event, Monica Plewe, was astonished by the generosity of the community. “We have since had more people step up and pay more for the Christmas trees,” she said.

Erin Tanner, organizer of the event, said all the Christmas Trees were sold.

The following bidders won the Christmas trees: Adam Black of Cortez Chiropratic, Chris Crowley of Crowley Cosntruction, Corrine and Carly Wolf of the Doobie Sisters, Dr. Alan Schafer of Schafer Orthodontics, Jay Witt of Remax, Paul Bostrom, Joyce Stevenson, Sandi Valencia, Mary Lordier and Trena Decker.