LAKEPORT — Clear Lake Performing Arts (CLPA), the county”s music-support organization, presents the Lake County Symphony in its annual Mother”s Day concert, 3 p.m. Sunday at Lakeport”s Soper Reese Community Theatre.
Music Director and Orchestra Conductor John Parkinson said he has tailored a program to match the talents of Lake County soprano Shelly Mascari and the vocal quartet EarReverence. It is entitled “The Great American Songbook” and is a tribute to the “Golden Age” of American popular music. This was the period from roughly 1920 to 1960, which saw the advent of a new type of music — original in some respects, but grounded in the basics of tin-pan alley and jazz.
The era encompassed the Roaring ”20s, the Great Depression years, World War Two and the immediate post-war recovery.
According to Parkinson, the great composers, musicians and performers of the period produced music to match the varying moods of America. Among them were Gershwin, Berlin, Kern, Porter, Arlen, Rodgers, Armstrong, Jolson, Holliday, Crosby, Sinatra, Ellington, Garland, Fitzgerald, Torme and scores of others.
Parkinson said he chose music that earned the title of “pure gold” over the years since it was first performed.
The CLPA Youth Orchestra, under the direction of Susan Condit, departs from the “golden oldies” theme with more contemporary offerings in the form of “Hit the Beach,” written by Dean Sorenson, a number with a pronounced bossa nova beat and the Disney theme “Pirates of the Caribbean,” composed by Klaus Badeit and arranged by Ted Rickets. Symphony members will join with the Youth Orchestra for the latter piece.
The balance of the program includes “Skylark” by Hoagy Carmichael and Johnny Mercer, “I”ve Got the World on a String” by Ted Koehler and Harold Arlen and “I”ll Take Romance” by Oscar Hammerstein and Ben Oakland. These three numbers have been orchestrated/arranged by Parkinson for Mascari to sing.
Parkinson also arranged “Don”t Get Around Much Anymore,” by Duke Ellington and Bob Russell, for EarReverence, made up of Valerie Reid, soprano; Carol Cole-Lewis, alto; Nick Reid, tenor and Bill Bordisso, bass.
Parkinson”s program will also include a 70-piece orchestra playing “April in Paris,” “Shadow of Your Smile,” “Georgia on my Mind,” “Sophisticated Lady” and many others.
At intermission, along with the usual complimentary cookies and juices offered by members of the CLPA Auxiliary, an auction of a violin, painted by Lake County artist Leah Adams, will take place.
The auxiliary, which is the official fund-raising arm of CLPA, is also planning to open silent auction bidding on a full week”s lodging in a deluxe condo unit located at the Valley Isle resort on Maui, Hawaii. It is offered by a long-time CLPA member. The one-bedroom unit offers views of nearby Lanai and Molokai islands and is adjacent to white-sand beaches, snorkeling and five championship golf courses.
The final award will be presented during the Home Wine Makers Festival on June 23 in Lakeport. Details will be available at the auxiliary table in the Soper Reese lobby.
General admission to Sunday”s concert costs $25. CLPA members will be admitted at a cost of $20. Membership applications will be available at the door and member rates will apply to those who join.
A full-dress rehearsal will take place at 11 a.m. Sunday, to which children younger than 18 are invited free of charge. Admission for others costs $5.
