Elisabeth von Trapp delivers the Sound of Christmas

As the holidays draw near, Southeast Missouri State University is hosting a Christmas treat. As a part of the 2013-2014 Touring Series, Elisabeth von Trapp and the Carolian Brass quintet will perform on Thursday at the River Campus.

Trapp is the granddaughter of Baron Georg Johannes von Trapp and Baroness Maria von Trapp, who is technically von Trapp's step-grandmother, the couple whose lives the musical "The Sound of Music" is based on. Growing up in a musical household, von Trapp said that Christmas time was one of her favorite times during her childhood.

"My father [Werner] would take out a beautiful Austrian guitar and play," von Trapp said.

According to her biography, von Trapp began taking piano lessons at the age of 8 and learned to play guitar by the age of 16. She said that several years ago, her mother, Erika, found a letter from Werner that had discussed how he was excited to stop touring with his family, the von Trapp Family Singers, so he could be home all of the time and spend time with his family. He also expressed in the letter how he wanted to pass down his love of music and composition to his six children.

Playing music professionally wasn't von Trapp's original career choice, though. She went to college to get a degree in elementary education, but she said she began to develop a "beautiful interest" in performing music. She now has released five self-produced albums, according to her biography. She also has performed on programs such as "Good Morning America," BBC-Radio and Japanese National Radio.

"Any time I perform, even in high school, I'd be left for days so exhilarated and happy," von Trapp said.

Performing with the Carolian Brass has been an "honor" for von Trapp. She said that she has been working with them for the past three years. The Carolian Brass is made up of musicians who, according to their biography, are "virtuosos in his own right."

The members of the ensemble are tuba player Kenneth Amis, trombone player Mark Hetzler, trumpet players Charles Lazarus and Marc Reese and horn player Gregory Miller. Included in the performances are piano player Douglas Major, who will accompany von Trapp and the quintet throughout the performance.

The performance will include one of the more famous songs from "The Sound of Music;" "Edelweiss," which Trapp will perform with Major. The show will begin with the Carolian Brass performing, and Trapp and Major performing next. Before intermission, they will all perform "A-Soalin," traditional carols that have been adapted.

The final half of the performance will have all of the performers coming together to perform traditional holiday music. Von Trapp said that she likes to include the traditional with the modern during her performances.

"People are really learning how to express themselves, especially during the holidays," von Trapp said. "Music is there is remind us that everything's okay."

For Southeast student Kelsey Koenig, this performance is perfect for getting her in the Christmas spirit.

"I like Christmas music so much because of the tradition," Koenig said. "For me, it really starts the season."

The Sound of Christmas will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall at the River Campus. Tickets range from $29 - $39 and can be purchased at the River Campus box office or online at rivercampusevents.com.