Music lovers can chase away the cold-weather blues on Feb. 17 during Southwest DeKalb High School Orchestra’s annual winter concert at Ray of Hope Christian Church.

Thirty-seven musicians in the ninth to 12th grade will play gospel, pop, R&B, jazz and classical selections, including “Motown Forever,” a medley of classic R&B hits; “Take 5,” a jazz getup by Mary, Mary; and “Palladio,” a classical favorite made popular by De Beers’ “Diamonds Are Forever” commercial.

The concert starts at 4 p.m. in the sanctuary. There is no admission charge, but donations will be solicited.

Orchestra director Melanie Driver says students have been rehearsing for six weeks.

“This is the fifth year we’ve done this concert,” she said. “It’s the biggest fund-raiser we have.”

Tomeka Walton, the orchestra’s booster club president, said the funds raised will help ensure that the kids continue to have music outside the classroom setting.

“Some children don’t take music at all during the school day, so they have to come after school,” she said. The funds also pay for music festival and performance trips.

“Wherever we’re invited, we’ll show up,” Walton said. “We’ll play anywhere we can get an audience.”

The booster club also pays for clinicians from the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra to work with the students. Five students are members of the DeKalb Youth Symphony this year.

The church is at 2778 Snapfinger Road in Decatur.

For more information, call Tomeka Walton at 770-808-8153.