LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — One year ago, the Lake County Symphony Association Youth Orchestra was practicing for its annual June concert when COVID-19 closed down all rehearsals.
At that time, no one realized that it would be more than a year until they would rehearse again.
Due to the COVID-19 protocols, the Youth Orchestra is unable, once again, to present a live concert in June.
The good news: There will be an exceptional virtual live concert to be aired Sunday, June 6, at 2 p.m., through the Soper Reese Theatre.
A special thanks goes to LCSA board president Camm Linden, and son, Slade Darren, for many hours spent filming and editing this project.
It was a lengthy process that began in late January, when the string section of the youth orchestra began practicing three pieces at home they had worked on last season.
By April 11 the young musicians were able to meet outdoors at the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church for a rehearsal; the following week all three pieces were filmed outside at the same location.
The conductor’s welcome and program notes, solos, scholarships and awards were filmed indoors at the Soper Reese Theatre.
Orchestral pieces included in the program are: “Take Five” by Paul Desmond, arranged by Bob Cerulli; “Folk Tune Air” by Alexander Safford, with solo by Rafael Contreras; and “Libertango,” by Astor Piazzolla, arranged by James Kazik.
Concertmaster Rafael Contreras performs Vivaldi’s Violin Concerto in A minor, Opus 3, No. 6, accompanied by Camm Linden on piano.
He concludes with three fiddle pieces- “Wizard’s Walk,” “Ook Pik Waltz,” and “El Cumbanchero” with guitar accompaniment by Camm Linden.
Maya Leonard and Nafisa Jamil, who normally play violin in the youth orchestra, are featured piano soloists in this concert.
Leonard performs “Phantom Rider” by William Gillock. Jamil performs “Menuet, BWV Anhang 116” by Johann Sebastian Bach.
High school graduating seniors Rafael Contreras and Samantha Carter will receive scholarships for ongoing college studies through the LCSA in conjunction with the Allegro Scholarship Program, and both are recognized for their nine years of membership in the Youth Orchestra.
Contreras will receive the prestigious College Scholarship award for playing in the Lake County Symphony.
Maya Leonard and Nafisa Jamil will receive Allegro Scholarships for continued study in piano.
This virtual concert is sponsored, in part, by the Lake County Wine Alliance, Allegro Scholarship Program and Soper Reese Theatre.
The June 6 concert will be available on YouTube through the Soper Reese Theatre as a ticket donation event.
Go to http://www.soperreesetheatre.com for more information about this virtual concert.
For the latest on LCSA activities and events go to www.lakecountysymphonyassociation.org .