A choral ensemble is making its way to Austin for a concert this Friday.

VocalEssence will perform Friday with WCCO’s Don Shelby in the “River Songs and Tales” concert at Austin High School’s Knowlton Auditorium. The concert will take place at 7 p.m. Friday.

VocalEssence, a 36-voice choral ensemble from Minneapolis, will perform a number of pieces centered around a river theme. Shelby will also play Mark Twain in a series of dramatic vignettes during the show.

The concert will feature American favorites such as “Wade in the Water,” “Down to the River and Pray,” “Shenandoah,” “Shall We Gather at the River” and many more. Shelby, the longtime anchor of WCCO news in Minneapolis, has played the role of Mark Twain many times.

A VocalEssence quartet came to Austin High School and worked with the choirs in October as part of their outreach program. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students if purchased ahead of time — either online at www.austinarearts.org, from a high school choir member, or at the Austin Area Arts Center downtown. At the door, adult tickets will be $20.

This program is sponsored by the Austin Area Commission for the Arts, Music Boosters of Austin and Austin High School Choral Department.