Joyful holiday music performed by the Augusta Concert Band filled the sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Augusta during Sunday's 17th Annual Empty Stocking Fund Christmas Concert.

The concert, which began with the rousing Stars and Stripes for Christmas and ended with the popular Russian Christmas Music, appeared to strike the right chord with the audience, who were invited to clap and sing along with a few of the songs throughout the concert.

Bob Willing, who was conducting the concert for his second year, said he and the band were looking forward to finding out how much money they helped raise.

"This just really begins the excitement, and it makes all of us want to look at the newspaper every day to see what the tally is for the Empty Stocking Fund," Mr. Willing said.

During the concert, the audience was also treated to the debut of the song Hanukkah: Festival of Lights, written and conducted by Dr. Martin David Jones, a music professor at Augusta State University.

The Empty Stocking Fund, which has been sponsored annually by The Augusta Chronicle since 1930, provides food and clothing for needy families in the Augusta area.

"It's really great to be able to help the community and just do something beneficial," said French horn player Kara Silver, who was performing in the concert for her second year.

In 2007, the Empty Stocking Fund collected $123,457.63 for the benefit of 1,776 needy families in the area.

Reach Jonathan Overstreet at (706) 823-3708 or jonathan.overstreet@augustachronicle.com.