Although living in Southern Calif. may be cause for Jack Frost to stay away due to the warmer temperatures, it doesn’t mean that we can’t roast chestnuts on an open fire and sing a chorus or two.

In fact, on Sat. Dec. 2, the Moorpark College student orchestra and choir will perform its annual Holiday Lights concert, and provide a chance for the Moorpark community to join together, and to sing along with a lot more than just a few choruses.

James Song, music professor and the Moorpark College Symphony Orchestra music director, said that the concert will feature many familiar songs, and that the audience is encouraged to participate.

“We will have songs like ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’, ‘I’ll be home for Christmas’, ‘Sleigh Ride’, and some Chanukah songs, to name a few,” revealed professor Song. “So it’s going to be about an hour packed with music, and the audience will likely be involved in the singing of the carols.”

The Moorpark College Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Chorus is set to perform in the upcoming Holiday Lights concert on Sat. Dec. 2, at 7:30 p.m. Students and families are invited to attend and celebrate the season with traditional holiday music, Christmas carols, and classical standards.

Professor Song elaborated on the way the choir and orchestra combine to create a feeling of holiday spirit, and talked further about the selection of the works that will be performed.

“Typically our choral music and orchestra collaborate to bring the festive moods of the season,” explained professor Song. “This year we are doing plenty of holiday Christmas carols and Christmas songs, and one of the pieces we are doing is a fantastic piece called ‘Gloria’, by English composer John Rutter.”

Michael Ma, 20, a Moorpark College Instrumental Music major, French horn player, and member of the Moorpark orchestra, said that his favorite classical work in the repertoire is “Gloria,” because of the way it blends the French horn and the tenor voice.

“’Gloria’ is my favorite part, because the part I play on the French horn goes along with the tenor voice in the choir,” said Ma. “So it makes a great combination with each other.”

When asked why people should come down and watch the concert, Ma expressed that he feels the reason to attend is that the show will offer music that will appeal to a wide audience.

“I think it has a good variety of music,” said Ma. “It caters to everyone who is going to be there!”

Emily Martin, 20, a Moorpark College Applied Music major (education), and a member of the choir, also expressed that “Gloria” is her favorite part of the repertoire.

“It is just really epic!” Martin said.

As far as what to expect in terms of who will be conducting the orchestra and choir, professor Song said that both he and Moorpark College Director of Choral Activities Brandon Elliott are sharing the conducting responsibilities.

“It is a joint concert, so it will be the choir and orchestra on stage, and Elliott and I will share the conducting duties,” explained Professor Song. “So some of the songs I will conduct, and some of the songs he will conduct.”

Professor Song said that the annual concert is very popular, and he feels that it will be exhilarating for all of the performers, as well as the concertgoers.

“This is one of those concerts that everyone looks forward to,” said professor Song. “So it is going to be exciting for all of us!”

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For more information and tickets to the Holiday Lights concert, please visit www.moorparkcollege.edu/PAC, or call the Moorpark College box office at (805) 378-1485.