Chimes of Christmas helps kick off holiday season

Members of the IU Wind Ensemble warm up Wednesday evening during the Chimes of Christmas concert at the IU Auditorium. Santa Claus later joined the orchestra and IU Singing Hoosiers for a modern rendition of “Jingle Bells,” called “Popcorn Jingle Bells.” Male ballet dancers also provided comic relief for the event, as the dancers, clad in athletic shorts, IU jerseys, knee-high socks and tutus, clumsily performed the ballet part to Tchaikovsky’s “Waltz of the Flowers.” The nearly full auditorium was festively decked out in wreaths, Christmas lights and poinsettias as people of all ages listened to holiday favorites.