DeKalb | The First United Methodist Church choir was chosen to perform for a Christmas special hosted by WGN’s Orion Samuelson.

The program, titled “This Week in Agribusiness,” will showcase the church choir as well as some students from the NIU Chamber Choir.

A TV crew will film the church choir as it performs holiday songs Saturday at the church, 321 Oak St. Students from the School of Music have received memorial scholarships to perform with the choir at the church for the Christmas special. The NIU Chamber Choir will also perform a song.

Christopher Jackson, tenor section leader and graduate student, said the show means a lot to him and his fellow choir members.

“Hard work pays off every year,” Jackson said. “It just shows how much we work in the choir and we really deserve it. It’s a celebratory thing.”

Samuelson chooses one church each year for the Christmas Special. Bass choir member Brad Pietens said the First United Methodist Church choir prides itself on its musical reputation.

“The church has a reputation in DeKalb,” Pietens said. “We have a rich music history. This is a ministry that just celebrates Christian singing.”

Connie McCleary, alto singer and choir member, said it’s a great honor to be chosen to perform on a well-known broadcast.

“It’s a spiritual uplift,” she said.

The special will air on RFD-TV at 7 to 8 a.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. Dec. 19 and 5 to 6 a.m. Dec. 30.