The Rowan Big Band All-Stars returns to Albemarle at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 to perform Christmas favorites for the Stanly County Concert Association at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center.

“I love playing big band music with this incredibly talented group of musicians,” said Tim Hedrick, leader of the band and retired band director at Albemarle High School. “Our Christmas show is a favorite of our audiences and musicians alike.”

The band features retired and current band teachers, as well as dentists, lawyers, accountants and others who enjoy playing big band music.

The late Dr. Ron Turbyfill organized the group in 2006 by gathering “a bunch of friends together,” he told The Stanly News & Press in 2018.

The program includes jazz singers Nikki Jones Bailey, Bill Bucher and Alexis Cowan.

One of the main goals of the group is to give back to students. Members play for free and much of the money made goes to programs like Communities In Schools in Rowan County and Stanly County High School Band programs as well as other charitable organizations.

Charlotte Maness, president of the Stanly County Concert Association, said SCCA invites students from Stanly Community College, Pfeiffer University and high schools as our guests as part of the organization’s educational outreach.

“This is one of the most outstanding groups of musicians we feature in our series, and their Christmas show is one of the best,” Maness said. “You won’t want to miss this program.”

Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for students. Tickets can be purchased by going online at stanlyconcert.com, at the Agri-Civic Center, at Starnes Bramlett Jewelers and at the door.