ALPINE, Utah -- Ten years ago, Todd McCabe, his wife, Suzie, and April Moriarty decided to put on a Christmas concert in Todd's living room as a gift to their friends. It became more popular with each year, and their living room got too crowded -- soon people were squeezing in on the stairs and even under the piano. The solution was to move to a larger venue at Timberline Middle School. After the change of venue, attendees went from 160 to 1,600.

What's the coolest thing about An Alpine Christmas Concert?

I couldn't choose just one, so here are three reasons why this concert rocks my world:

Reason No. 1: All of the proceeds go to Timberline Middle School's fine arts department. In a world where funding for the arts often gets pushed to the side and art programs are being cut right and left, this concert seeks to give back so children can have more opportunities to develop their gifts.

Moriarty said: "I feel that the arts are as essential as math, literature or science in a child's education. If I can be so bold, I will say that the arts are even more important than the core curriculum because we learn who we are as we experience the arts. We can be transported to a different sphere, hear music in the wind, see symmetry in a leaf, be overwhelmed by the wisdom of the great composers yet hear the simple truth of clarity in a child's voice. The arts open our minds, hearts and souls. For me, a life without the arts would be like eating without taste buds."

One year, the proceeds from the concert helped purchase a baby grand piano for the choir room. What a beautiful way of giving back.

Reason No. 2: This isn't just any concert -- it's carefully planned to help everyone feel the true spirit of Christmas.

"We don't want to just 'put on a show,' but rather create a meaningful, Christ-centered, inspirational experience for those in attendance," McCabe said. "Our goal is to contribute to the true meaning of this time of year, help those attending slow down from the commercial part of Christmas, and ponder on Christ and his life and gifts to us."

Reason No. 3: The musicians involved are some of the best around: pianist/violinist duo Todd McCabe and April Moriarty, singer Jessie Clark Funk, singer/actor Dan Beck, singer/songwriter Cherie Call, singer/actor Marvin Payne, young local singer Isabelle Johnson and violist James Rhodes. It will definitely be a night to remember.

An Alpine Christmas Concert is Dec. 4 and 5 at 7 p. .m at Timberline Middle School in Alpine, Utah. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at Kohlers, The Art Cottage or alpinechristmasconcert.com.