CHARLESTON, W.Va. --  While other choirs and orchestras present Christmas classics this season, the Charleston Civic Chorus will add twists to the traditional holiday show. Fusing elements of Eastern and Western music, choreographed dancers and black light, the Civic Chorus presents its featured work, "Luminosity," in its winter concert Sunday at the Charleston Baptist Temple.

For 60 years, the Civic Chorus has presented Charleston audiences with unique repertoires, from significant choral standards to compositions no more than 10 years old. Though the winter concert features recognizable pieces like Ken Berg's "Sing We Now of Christmas" and John Rutter's "I Wish You Christmas," it incorporates contemporary works "Luminosity" by James Whitbourn and "A Celtic Blessing of Light" by Eleanor Daly, among others.

"Luminosity" focuses on "the transcendent beauty of creation and enlightenment of the soul as expressed by luminaries and mystics through the ages," according to the Chorus' website. It was first commissioned by conductor James Jordan of Westminster Choir College in April 2008 for performance alongside the black-light dance company Archedream.

"It's exciting music," said 31-year conductor Dr. J. Truman Dalton. "'Luminosity' is hard to put into words. It's an experience."

"Luminosity" features viola, tanpura (an Indian stringed instrument) and tam tam, similar to a gong. With organ and piano accompaniment by Randall Peters, the performance will be a collaboration with January Wolfe and dancers from her Academy of Arts at January's, performing with black light.

Civic Chorus president and 39-year member Conrad Haskell attributes most of the group's success and longevity to artistic director Dalton. He believes Dalton's unique song selection has kept Charleston audiences interested over the years.

"Dr. Dalton's choices of works are largely leaning to very fine compositions, arrangements composed in the last 10 to 15 years," Haskell said. The chorus has performed pieces by "so many composers who have achieved international stature we don't feel we have to rely on Bach, Beethoven and so forth. That approach has appealed to our audience," he said.

Dalton says Charleston audiences "have come to expect what we do with traditional text and new arrangements."

He references Handel's "Messiah" as a piece audiences anticipate this time of year. "People think that's it, but there's a lot of works out there. We try to promote contemporary works, challenge the singers and stretch the ear of the audience."

Though the Chorus maintains a loyal following, Dalton acknowledges the difficulties the group faces with attendance and finances.

"There is so much music out there in the media, in places not available 60 years ago," Dalton said. "Live music is a tougher sell all the time. They can just put music on their iPods."

One way the Chorus combats the competition is providing free admittance to its concerts. For 60 years, the group has never charged admission.

"It makes it very hard to meet expenses," Haskell said. "We must obtain grants and contributions, but we'll continue to go that way as long as we can. People can see quality performances regardless of income."

Although the Civic Chorus is always looking for new members -- with "tenors always at a premium" -- Dalton stressed that the program is for singers "looking to stretch themselves"

"It's not 'Glee.'"

Visit charlestoncivicchorus.com to learn more about the group's history, auditions and ways to contribute.