A sold-out crowd eagerly waited in the lobby of the performing arts center to hear the marvelous orchestration Professor James Song prepared for the annual Holiday Lights concert’s that occurred on Dec. 5.

The auditorium filled up with the crowd’s blissful holiday spirit as the orchestra sounded the beginning of their concert.

“We want to celebrate the holiday season with joyous and festive sounds,” said Song. “This concert is truly my favorite part of our annual performance offerings because it is a pure joy to see lots of smiles throughout the concert.”

The audience gathered to see not only friends and family performing, but also to hear the auditorium fill up with jolly Christmas tunes.

Song conducted the orchestra as they performed selections from the “Nutcracker” and the Christmas portion of Handel’s “Messiah.”

During the “Nutcracker” portion, dancers joined the orchestra on stage and moved beautifully to the exquisite sounds of the music.

Closing this portion of the concert Robert Salas, dance director, joined Song for a bow and received a standing ovation from the crowd.

Holiday Lights Concert at Moorpark College has been a tradition around the holiday season for the past eight years.

The Holiday Lights concert first started as an all day festival equipped with food and entertainment that would conclude in a lighting ceremony and a concert by the Moorpark College Orchestra.

It has adapted itself to become a simple and beautiful concert just in time to welcome the holidays.

“The Music Department had holiday concerts for more than 20 years, but it was integrated into that holiday lights festivities about 8 years ago,” said Song.

The audience truly got to see the holiday spirit when the orchestra pulled out Christmas themed hats as they performed “Sleigh Bells.”

Emilie Joy Lethcoe, 22, Music major, performed “Rejoice Greatly” in the “Messiah” portion of the Holiday lights concert.

“What I really like about ‘Rejoice Greatly’ is it sends this message of hope out to the people watching and that’s something that’s really important to me,” said Lethcoe.

Lethcoe was a veteran to the show performing the “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” excerpt at last years show. She shared her favorite part including the choreography she had to learn.

“I think my favorite part was probably learning the choreography that goes along with it as well as the vocal aspect,” said Lethcoe.

Apart from preparation, Lethcoe shared her joy of the connection she makes with the audience while performing and helping them feel a certain way through music at the Holiday Lights concert.

“My favorite part about performing on stage is that I really love the chance to be able to make the audience feel something that they wouldn’t necessarily feel otherwise.”