LAKEPORT, Calif. – A full house greeted the 60 members of the Lake County Symphony Orchestra at its annual Christmas Concert held Sunday, Dec. 15, at Lakeport’s Soper-Reese Community Theatre.

It was a high point for the orchestra, which is winning acclaim as one of the best of its kind in Northern California.

Presented by the Lake County Symphony Association, which has recently changed its name from Clear Lake Performing Arts, the program featured a wide range of holiday favorites both secular and religious.

The young members of the Symphony Youth Orchestra, led by conductor Susan Condit, led off with themes from “Gloria” by Antonio Vivaldi, and a contemporary number called “Bobsled Run” written by Lloyd Conley. The group won applause for their skillful playing of the two difficult pieces.

The scene was set for the main program by the local vocal group “My Divas,” although they rounded out their number with a couple of male vocalists, singing the popular Burl Ives “Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas,” accompanied by the audience.

The symphony’s Music Director and Conductor John Parkinson then took the podium to lead his musicians through a tune written by Chip Davis entitled “Fanfare on Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” which he had arranged for the orchestra.

This was followed by a half-dozen popular Christmas numbers including such favorites as “Winter Wonderland,” “Frosty the Snowman” and Victor Herbert’s “March of the Toys.”

Following intermission, where a large selection of home-baked cookies were served by the women of the Symphony Association Auxiliary, Parkinson took the occasion to present scholarship certificates to Youth Orchestra members Clayton Rudiger and Max Lehman.

He then introduced Hidden Valley Lake’s singing sensation Shelly Mascari, who delivered another six popular numbers arranged by John Parkinson, including Vince Guaraldi’s “Christmas Time is Here,” Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” and Mel Torme’s “The Christmas Song.”

She concluded with a sultry and sexy delivery of “Santa Baby” written by Joan Javits and Phil and Terry Springer.

Four songs of faith formed a sing-along medley with the audience joining “My Divas” in singing “Joy to the World,” “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,” “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and “Silent Night.”

Then all orchestra members donned Santa hats to play Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride.” Parkinson sported a version that was royal purple in color.

As has become a tradition, the program ended with the audience joining in singing the “Hallelujah Chorus” from George Handel’s “The Messiah.”

At its conclusion the concert was awarded with continuing applause from an audience reluctant to leave its seats after hearing what many believed to be one of the best concerts ever presented by the Lake County Symphony.

This was the 36th Symphony Christmas Program and if attendance is a measure, it appears to have been the most popular yet.

According to Andi Skelton, who doubles as orchestra Concertmaster and Chair of Youth Music Activities for the Symphony Association, the open rehearsal held Sunday morning was also a near sellout.

The rehearsal is offered free of charge to anyone under the age of 18, and others are charged only five dollars admission.