Enthusiasm was high in and around the Woodrow Wilson Early College High School auditorium Monday, with preparations underway for Tuesday evening’s 7 p.m. Holiday Pops concert by the Symphony of Southeast Texas.

Paula Bothe, SOST publicist, said symphony executive director Doug Fair and president of the symphony, James Black, visited the Woodrow Wilson campus located  at 1500 Lakeshore Drive on Monday and found the Port Arthur Memorial High School Choir practicing for the concert. They will appear with the 55-member symphony.

“The place is just lovely,” Bothe said. “The building improvements are lovely, they have been down there trimming the tree and the symphony will bring in pizza for the players.”

In fact, she said, the symphony’s hosts were “so attuned to what is going on” that they’ve made sure Maestro Chelsea Tipton will be well stocked with Diet Pepsi, his preferred soda.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and seating is free. The concert starts at 7, will last about an hour and will be followed by a reception that includes hot chocolate, punch, cookies and photos with Santa.

The capacity for the historic auditorium — national performers such as Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, Johnny Mathis and Crystal Gayle have played that auditorium — is 1,000.

Among the personal touches: Jeff Newman, Motiva maintenance manager, will be guest conductor for one number, “Horse and Buggy,” by Leroy Anderson; and Port Arthur ISD Superintendent Mark Porterie will be the guest “sleigh bell percussionist” for the number, “Sleigh Ride.”

“We’re looking forward to a full house,” Bothe said.

Motiva Enterprises LLC is sponsor for the event.

Tuesday marks the second symphony performance in Port Arthur this year. The SOST played a pops concert in May on the Lamar State College Port Arthur campus.