Strains of holiday music will fill the air when the R.L. Paschal High School orchestra performs at the University Village Barnes and Noble this Saturday.

Kristi Tollefson, director of the Paschal orchestra, said her students would perform in small group ensembles throughout the day. They will play nothing but holiday music, and Tollefson said she hopes patrons will enjoy their performances.

“Hopefully it provides the patrons of Barnes and Noble with a unique holiday music experience,” Tollefson said.

In addition, the event provides Tollefson’s students with real-world experience, she said. Many professional musicians find work playing in small ensembles during various events, such as dinner parties or wedding receptions.

The orchestras will be split into groups of four to nine students, Tollefson said. The ensembles will take turns performing throughout the day, beginning at 11 a.m. and ending at 6:15 p.m.

The orchestra students have been practicing more than just holiday music, though. More than 50 students recently auditioned for All-Region orchestra, and Tollefson said almost all were accepted.

Tollefson said the reason behind her orchestra’s success is the hard work and dedication of its members.

“The students at Paschal generally are highly motivated to succeed, and I think they continually prove that with both their academic and extra curricular achievements,” Tollefson said.