BOUNTIFUL — With a handbell choir to literally ring in the Christmas season, the Cheney family are once again ready to start off the holidays with an evening of music and readings.

Their 18th annual Christmas Celebration, scheduled this year for Nov. 28 at 6:45 p.m. at the Bountiful 13th/53rd Ward Chapel (1356 N. 650 East), will feature a wide variety of performers including concert violinist Jennifer Dunn. The evening will be tied together with Mark Cheney reading from “The Life of Our Lord,” a narrative version of the New Testament that Charles Dickens wrote for his children.

The theme of the evening will also be taken from Charles Dickens’ words: “It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child himself.”

The featured performer for the evening will be Jennifer Dunn, a concert violinist and current member of the Boise Philharmonic. The 2007 winner of the American Mothers national violin competition, Dunn has recently turned her attention to arranging. She will be performing two of her own arrangements, “Silent Night” and “What Child Is This.”

Pianist Tawna Cheney Love will be accompanying Dunn, as well as several other performers throughout the evening. Tyler Knowlton will lead the brass quintet, which will perform the prelude as well as a special musical performance later in the evening. Other performers scheduled include Kevin Cheney Love, Amie Johnson, Karel McDonough, Carolee Ericksson, and a men’s and children’s chorus.

In addition to the traditional handbell choir, the event will also once again include the opportunity for congregational singing under the direction of Lane Cheney. The hymns will follow the evening’s theme of Children at Christmas.

Admission is free, but early seating is advised. Sunday dress is appropriate.