LAKEPORT— On December 22, during a rainy Sunday afternoon, Lakeport’s Soper Reese Theatre was filled with musical holiday sounds ranging from traditional standards and jazzy favorites to custom arrangements of thoughtful story-songs. The Lake County Symphony Orchestra played their annual Christmas Celebration concert to an appreciative, sold-out audience.
Concert-goers were first treated to two pieces performed by the Lake County Symphony Association Youth Orchestra, directed by Sue Condit. Then, the full 55-member Symphony Orchestra took the stage to entertain with offerings including Winter Wonderland, Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, and traditional tunes arranged by longtime conductor John Parkinson.
Following intermission, a formidable line-up of guest artists displayed their crafts. Local songbird, Paula Samonte, delighted the crowd with her high-energy delivery of Parkinson’s arrangements of Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Christmas Time is Here, and Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Next, featured soloist and veteran vocalist, Jude Darrin, captivated the spell-bound concert attendees with a commanding performance of Pretty Paper – the true story of a disabled street merchant, Mary, Did You Know? – featuring a sign-language interpretation by Jerae Berton, and Oh, Beautiful Star of Bethlehem – accompanied by the Sing Napa Valley! Chorus.
The concert concluded with an enthusiastic audience sing-a-long, joined by the Sing Napa Valley! Chorus, of a medley of Christmas carols (Joy to the World, Oh Come All Ye Faithful, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Silent Night) and the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah.
