LAKEPORT, Calif. – It was a full house for the Lake County Symphony’s Christmas concert Dec. 17 at the Soper-Reese Theatre

The event also marked the 40th anniversary of the Lake County Symphony Association.

Former Lakeport Mayor Martin Scheel, the concert’s emcee, gave an excellent introduction and urged concert goers to consider joining the LCSA to provide continuing support for the Lake County Symphony and the youth orchestra.

The Lake County Youth Orchestra (the farm team for the Lake County Symphony), began the concert under the direction of Sue Condit, playing a traditional French Carol, “Noel Nouvelet," followed by “Angels We Have Heard on High.” The audience was impressed, responding to the young musicians with enthusiastic applause.

After that, it was time for symphony conductor John Parkinson to lead the orchestra in a medley of holiday traditional and popular tunes, including “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Winter Wonderland,” and other favorites like “Frosty the Snowman,” and “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers.”

An energetic John Philip Sousa collaboration with James Pierpoint, “Jingle Bells Forever,” also was on the list.

The orchestra played perfectly, navigating through the traditional and popular songs as well as several new arrangements by Parkinson (“Fum, Fum Fum” and “Mary’s Boy Child”) and then morphing seamlessly into a “big band” sound to back up jazz vocalist, Sarah Cunningham.

She started off with a smooth rendition of “Let It Snow,” by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn and continued to amaze the audience with her skillful renditions of three other popular holiday selections: “Christmas Time is Here,” followed by Mel Torme’s well known “The Christmas Song,” and “White Christmas,” by Irving Berlin, all featuring arrangements by Parkinson.

After thunderous applause for Sarah Cunningham, another talented pro, Lorraine Gatton, made her way to the stage.

After a little humorous banter with Parkinson, the diminutive singer with the big voice sang his arrangement of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” with her usual energy and style – much to the delight of the audience.

Then it was necessary for Parkinson to take charge of the audience sing-a-long medley. After directing the musicians in a flawless “Joy to the World” Parkinson noticed there were not many people who were singing along and turned to face the audience.

"Do you need some help?" he asked. "This is the part where you sing along. We will start again."

Parkinson restarted "Joy to the World" and alternated his direction between the orchestra and the audience. Luckily there were no further reprimands needed during “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,” Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” and “Silent Night.”

Following the sing-a-long, a rousing rendition of Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride” classic was enjoyed by all before Parkinson began his final audience participation selection: the Hallelujah Chorus from the "Messiah."

"I want to hear all the words," said Parkinson.

The audience came through.

Debra Fredrickson is a volunteer with the Lake County Symphony Association.