LAKEPORT, Calif. – John Parkinson, music director and conductor of the Lake County Symphony, has chosen a program by and for young people, for the orchestra's Fall Concert, taking place on Sunday, Nov. 20, at Lakeport's Soper-Reese Community Theatre.

Chief among them are Felix Mendelssohn's “Hebrides Overture,” written when the composer was just 20 years old, and now generally known by it's more popular name “Fingals Cave.” The music evokes the beauty of the Irish seashore where Mendelssohn first explored the cavern.

Another relative youngster at the time Sergei Prokofiev, created what has become one of the most enduring – and endearing – family music classics ever written.

Charged with producing a piece that would help children better understand and appreciate music, Prokofiev spent just four days in developing a story about a little boy – Peter – who lives with his grandfather in a house deep in the woods, along with a pet cat and duck, and a friendly wild bird. And, of course, the household is threatened by a wolf.

The composer wrote narration to let the kids follow the story line, and assigned instruments of the orchestra to represent the characters.

For example Beth Aiken's oboe will represent the pet duck, which is eventually cornered and swallowed whole by the wolf, while Cathy Hall's flute will be the bird that warns them that the wolf is on the way.

Clarinetist Nick Biondo will play the part of the cat, while the violin section, led by Andi Skelton, will represent Peter, who eventually succeeds in capturing the wolf and hanging him by his tail from a tree, where a band of hunters find him.

The Timpani takes the part of the hunters, while Ann Hubbard's bassoon represents the grumpy grandfather and the French Horns are the wolf.

The story line becomes clear with the help of narration by veteran local actor Bert Hutt. With Hutt's help, listeners are given hope that the duck may be rescued from the wolf's belly, unhurt.

The program will also include "In the Hall of the Mountain King" from the first suite of Edvard Grieg's "Peer Gynt suite" which was adopted from a play written by Norway's most famed playwright Henrik Ibsen.

The CLPA Youth Orchestra, under the direction of Susan Condit, will also stick to the youth theme, featuring Hee Newbold's “Mythos.”

Newbold is a well-known young Korean actress, composer, musician and film-maker. A second selection is “The Royal March of the Lions” from Camille Saint Saens' “Carnival of the Animals.” The program ends with the “Finale” from the same work.

Parents are reminded that youngsters under 18 are admitted free to the full-dress rehearsal that starts at 11 a.m., with Bert Hutt's narration supported by additional comments from Conductor Parkinson.

Adults, too, are welcome at the rehearsal for just a $5 admission fee. Season tickets for the CLPA-sponsored Lake County Symphony are $85, or $100 for seats in the premium loge section, although very few of these remain unsold. In both cases CLPA members get a $10 discount.

Single concert tickets are $27 for general seating and $32 for premium, also with a $5 discount for CLPA members.

Tickets can be ordered online at www.soperreesetheatre.com or by phone at 263-0577, or at the theater box-office, 275 S. Main St., Lakeport, Thursdays or Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.