LAKEPORT, Calif. – The June Spring Concert of the Lake County Symphony Association Youth Orchestra proved very popular, with the young musicians attracting a large crowd to the Soper Reese Theatre.

The concert – which took place on Sunday, June 8 – opened with a special presentation of the LCSA String Classes made possible by a grant from the Lake County Wine Alliance.

Because of this generous grant, new teachers, Clovice Lewis, cellist, and Jeff Ives, violist/violinist, came onboard to help teach the classes.

The beginning violin, viola and cello classes each played a selection, then all classes joined together for the final selection of the first part of the concert.

A viola solo was played by Rafael Contreras, whose primary instrument is violin. Ives worked with him on more advanced viola music, and suggested he play a solo as part of the viola string class presentation.

The string classes were well attended this year with students second grade to adult, and hopefully the students will become members of the Youth Orchestra in the future.

The string class presentation was followed by the full LCSA Youth Orchestra, delivering an impressive demonstration of their musical abilities.

The youthful musicians were led by conductor Sue Condit, who has challenged the students with higher levels of music. They have all met the challenge and presented an outstanding concert.

Presented were classical selections by Mozart – themes from two different symphonies and “Classical Symphony” by Prokofiev.

Also on the program was an energetic Morris dance, the exciting theme from a video game, and movie themes from the “Titanic,” “The Avengers” and ending with a grand finale of “Back to the Future.”

Members of the symphony joined them in the finale, and a slide presentation from “Back to the Future” was presented by Wally Fuller of the Soper Reese.

High school graduating members were recognized for their years of service in the orchestra and a few of them played a special presentation of two very difficult fiddle tunes.

First violinists, Clayton Rudiger, Lars Tisell and Edison Serena, received much applause after their energetic rendition of the challenging selections.

Thank you to Dr. Charles Marion Hovden who was so impressed with the concert that he donated $1,500 to the Endowment Fund for the “Youth Orchestra Conductor Chair” in memory of Thomas Bruner.

The Lake County Symphony Association also thanks the Soper Reese staff and volunteers for partnering with us to make this performance of the youth music groups possible in their wonderful community venue.

The Youth Orchestra and the string classes will resume in September in Kelseyville.

Anyone interested in our LCSA youth programs is asked to please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or the Lake County Symphony Association Web site www.clearlakeperformingarts.org .