The Lake Area Community Orchestra returns to the city of California.
Conductor Andrew Drennen is bringing his orchestra to the halls of the United Church of Christ at 101 N. Oak St. for a new yearly performance at 7 p.m. June 27.
After a productive winter season, Drennen said the Lake Area Community Orchestra is eager to return to the stage as well as the city of California.
Last year, the orchestra appeared at the United Church of Christ after a venue fell out of their schedule. When the day finally came to perform, Drennen said his orchestra appreciated how well the church's architecture and attendees supported the music.
"It's a beautiful venue...," Drennen said. "It's just well laid out. The space is well thought out as far as your sound goes and it's got a pretty decent stage with pretty decent backing into it, and sound baffling. And when you hear (the music) you're like, 'Oh, nice.'"
"My first time going to that church, not only did I see the developmental potential of having larger type concerts here, but I saw the warmth of the people and it's like, my God, I love talking to all these people. With their hospitality and everything like that," Drennen continued. "What started off as an open spot on the schedule... (the United Church of Christ) was like this surprise that now we don't ever want to get rid of."
The orchestra will perform an assortment of music ranging from classical to ragtime and St. Louis blues. Drennen said he's impressed with the talent in his orchestra. The Lake Area Community Orchestra is comprised of accomplished musicians young and old, from only one year of experience to decades. The conductor said he's especially impressed with the younger members of his group as they achieve difficult feats in classical music and other genres.
He said support for the orchestra can be seen in the communities they visit as well as the families of its members.
"You have your parents, you have your supportive family members and friends that always come to performances, always are dropping their kids off to rehearsals," Drennen said. "It just makes taking a program full of really hard music and it makes it all worth it."
Drennen noted attendees can make donations or contributions to the orchestra through its social media accounts such as Facebook. He said it is accepting new members, musical writers and instruments for the orchestra.He also said the group is looking for additional venues.
The orchestra plays every Tuesday from the end of May to the beginning of August. Its schedule can be found on lakeareacommunityorchestra.com or on the Lake Area Community Orchestra Facebook page.