The 54th annual Mennonite Schools Choir Festival is coming to southeast Iowa.

Area school Iowa Mennonite is participating and has played a major role in preparation for the event. IMS Music Instructor Josh Tyson says that planning for the event began more than a year and a half ago. IMS is one of 13 schools participating, 11 of which come from the United States with two others from Canada. Tyson says each school will perform individually, the last portion of the concert will see all 400 students perform in a mass choir. Selections for the show include classic pieces from Handel, Mendelssohn, spirituals, gospel, and folk songs. The concert will be hosted at Washington High School on Sunday, April 10th at 3p.m. There is no admission cost but they will be taking a freewill offering to help with expenses.