LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Sunday, Sept. 8, a concert by the Lake County Symphony Chamber Orchestra will take place at Lakeport’s Soper-Reese Community Theatre.

In a departure from its usual practice the 3 p.m. concert will be presented free of charge to the public by its sponsor, Clear Lake Performing Arts.

Classical standards will include Haydn’s Symphony No 85 – often called the “La Reine” or “Queen Symphony” – because it was a favorite of French queen Marie Antoinette.

Music Director and Conductor John Parkinson also will lead the orchestra in the “Sinfonia in C Major” by Antonio Vivaldi, which features the local symphony’s noted string section. Vivaldi was not only one of the truly great composers of baroque music but was also recognized in his day as a violin virtuoso.

Also on the program will be the Horn Concerto No 3 in E flat by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It will feature soloist Mike Thompson, principal player of the Symphony’s horn section, who is an orchestra regular even though it means commuting from his home in Garberville for every concert.

CLPA president Ed Bublitz said his board’s decision to open the doors to the concert free of charge, was to introduce both his group and the orchestra to the public.

“We’ve found many people don’t even know we have a symphony, let alone one of the largest and best in the area, and others have no idea what Clear Lake Performing Arts is, and that it was founded some forty years ago for the precise purpose of creating and maintaining this orchestra,” Bublitz said. “When people hear what a treasure we have here, we hope they will be eager to support us.”

Prior to the official opening of the concert the string players will play Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No 3 as background music, with the annual Meeting starting at 3 p.m. with a couple of business items for CLPA members to address – including voting on CLPA officers for the new year.

Nominations for seats on the board of directors will be accepted from the floor. Bublitz stresses that he is actively soliciting greater participation from the public, as well as from current CLPA members.

Seating at the concert is open on a first-come, first-served basis, so members are advised to arrive early to ensure themselves a good seat.

“We hope our members bring others who may be interested in joining us in promoting good music in Lake County,” Bublitz added.

Complimentary desserts, prepared by members of the CLPA Auxiliary, will be served, and wine and soft drinks will be available for sale.