Marilee Langill has worked at Sakku school in Coral Harbour for the last 12 years. She said the concert is a tradition that began long before she arrived.

"We have a theme each year for decorating. Classes from Kindergarten to Grade 6 will make Christmas trees. Another year it might be angels," said Langill.

The decorations are hung in the gym to help make it look festive during the event.

Every grade is invited to participate in the concert. Younger students sing songs, do dances or perform short plays. Students from older grades participate with poems and songs.

The date for the event is Dec. 18.

"It's extremely popular. Most people come and they're very excited. Lots of people get special clothes for the occasion," said Langill.

Classes began working on their songs and dances about two weeks ago. A highlight at last year's concert was a dance put on by the Grade 6 class.

The events at Victor Sammurtok school in Chesterfield Inlet are quite similar.

Principal Reed Smith is counting down the days to the concert. He's heard so much about it that he almost can't wait to see it pan out. This is Smith's first year at the school.

The big day is Dec. 19 at 7 p.m.

All 119 students will participate. Elementary students will sing Christmas songs. Grade 7 and 8 students will lip sync and dance to some of their favourite popular music groups. The older grades also help with props and get the stage ready.

"We're inviting the whole community. We plan on filling up our gym. All together there are 350 people that live in Chesterfield Inlet and we have a student body of 119. We already have over one third of the population participating," explained Smith.

The students in Chesterfield Inlet will be quite busy. On Dec. 10, all students and staff of Victor Sammurtok school are invited to the first Christmas Dinner with Calm Air.

"They're flying up 10 turkeys and the whole works. They're going to have two people come into the community the weekend before to set everything up," said Smith.

Smith said the concert is almost as big as the assembly at the end of the year.

Students in both communities are already decorating. Christmas trees are going up in the foyers and teachers are helping their students exercise vocal cords. The concerts are something to look forward to and to have fun with.