LAKEPORT, Calif. – This year’s annual Lake County Symphony Christmas concert will feature vocal presentations by six gifted local singers, along with the dozens of audience members who traditionally join in singing along with favorite Christmas songs.

The concert takes place on Sunday, Dec. 20, at 3 p.m. at Lakeport’s Soper Reese Theatre, 275 S. Main St.

John Parkinson, music director and conductor of the orchestra, has chosen holiday music ranging from the familiar to the exotic for the 65-member group.

As is the usual practice the program opens with the two dozen members of the Lake County Symphony Association Youth Orchestra, led by Sue Condit.

They will play “December Fanfare” written by Andrew Dabczynski with recognizable seasonal themes such as “Holly and the Ivy” and “Joy to the World” woven through its rhythmic drive.  Their second piece is “Carol of the Bells,” a traditional carol set in a contemporary rock style by composer Michael Hopkins. It also features the theme from “We Three Kings.”

Parkinson opens the main concert with “A Christmas Festival,” written in 1950 by Leroy Anderson, followed by a trio of Christmas favorites – “It’s a Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Have Yourself a Merry, Little Christmas” and “Winter Wonderland.”

“Mary’s Boy Child” was written by noted black American composer, choral director and actor Jester Hairston in 1956 and recorded by, among others, Harry Bellefonte.

Hairston tailored the familiar story of the birth of Christ in the style of black spirituals, and Parkinson’s arrangement holds true to this pattern. He went on to appear in more than 50 movies, before his death in 2,000, but “Mary’s Boy Child” is recognized as his most lasting contribution to the arts.

Following on the program is three more up-tempo numbers, “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers,” “Frosty the Snowman” and “March of the Toys” from the musical “Babes in Toyland.”

Following intermission, with complimentary cookies and juice provided by members of the Lake County Symphony Association – the nonprofit group that funds the symphony – the local vocalists strut their stuff.

Shelly Mascari sings a medley of “Let it Snow,” “Christmas Time is Here” and “Santa Clause is Coming to Town.” Cory Cunningham then takes the stage to sing “White Christmas” followed by Lorraine Gatton with Mel Torme’s “The Christmas Song,” after which the audience is invited to lend their talents to singing Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride.”

The perennial holiday favorite,  Handel’s “Messiah,” features solo leads by tenor Nick Reid on “Every Valley Should be Exalted,” bass Roger Smith with “But Who May Abide the Day of His Coming” and soprano Beth Rutiger wraps it up with “Rejoice Greatly oh Daughter of Zion.”

As a grand finale the singers and audience will join in singing the “Hallelujah Chorus” from “The Messiah.”

Admission to the Christmas concert is $25 per ticket for the general public and $20 per ticket for Lake County Symphony Association members.

Volunteer recruiters will be on hand, and those purchasing memberships can have the discounts applied to the day’s performance.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.soperreesetheatre.com , by phone at 707-263-0577 or at the box office, 275 S. Main St., Lakeport, on Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There also is a full-dress rehearsal at 11 a.m. to which youths under 18 are admitted free, while others pay just $5.