Musical pieces featuring variations on song-like forms will be highlighted in “Songs for an Olden Season,” the winter concert of East Stroudsburg University’s Concert Band at 3 p.m. Sunday in Cecilia S. Cohen Recital Hall of the university’s Fine & Performing Arts Center, Normal and Marguerite streets, East Stroudsburg.

The free performance is open to the public.

“All of the pieces are based on songs, and the first three showcase variations on chant styles,” said Brian Hodge, M.M., program conductor and director of Warrior Bands, who selected the works to be performed.

“The concert mixes classical selection and well-known Christmas pieces,” said Warrior Bands President Caitlyn McAtee, a senior from Wilkes-Barre, majoring in history.

“Technically, this is one of the most challenging programs we’ve played in my four years in band.”

Excerpts from Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana” will begin the program. Hodge explained that the work was composed “to reflect the medieval stylings of the original 11th-13th century collection of poetry on which it is based. ”

The program also features an iconic work for symphonic winds, “Chant and Jubilo,” by H. Francis McBeth.

“This work is in two connected yet contrasting movements” Hodge said. “The first is reminiscent of early church music in its simplicity, and followed by an energetic fanfare-like finale.”

Alfred Reed’s “Russian Christmas Music” features a variety of styles derived from the liturgical music of the Eastern Orthodox church. The piece is “a musical impression of Old Russia during the jubilant Christmas season” Hodge said.

Leroy Anderson’s “A Christmas Festival” will conclude the program. Hodge described the piece as “a modernized American take on music for the winter seasons.”

For more information on the concert, email esuarts@esu.edu or call 570-422-3483.