The Bow Memorial School chorus shared the limelight during the Granite State Symphony Orchestra’s annual Christmas concert.

The students sang in between the orchestra’s segments last year and did so well, they were invited back again.

“It’s so exciting for our students to perform in this type of event outside of Bow and with the professional orchestra,” said Elaine Giguere, Bow Memorial School chorus director. “I think for everyone involved, it was just such a joyous way to celebrate the holidays.”

For the Dec. 17 concert, Bow students sang four songs. The first was a compilation called “A Christmas Cartoon Celebration,” which included tunes from the “Charlie Brown” and “Garfield” Christmas specials, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” The group also performed an arrangement celebrating Hanukkah, as well as “The Little Drummer Boy” and “Swingin’ with Santa.”

And while the student singers’ expanded their repertoire this year, they were given a special treat by performing with the orchestra on stage. Orchestra director Robert Babb e-mailed Giguere before the show and asked if the students could participate in the third segment by singing along to “The 12 Days of Christmas.”

Because there were 102 of Giguere’s 142 fifth- through eighth-grade chorus students set to participate, she decided the older students would go up on stage so the orchestra members wouldn’t be overcrowded.

But during the show, Babb invited all the students on stage, saying the remainder of the show was meant to be fun and slightly informal. In fact, even Santa paid a visit and directed a song.

“It’s a holiday pops concert, which lends itself to this upbeat and fun kind of Christmas music,” said Giguere. “It was such a neat thing that he involved them and was comfortable having them there while he finished the concert.

She said the students were very excited and had a great time.

“It was a very positive experience for all of them,” she said. “It was very exciting to perform outside of Bow Memorial School and be able to hear a professional orchestra in person.”