Sound of Christmas

The South Louisiana Community Orchestra, joined by the Vandebilt Catholic High School choir, is performing its Christmas concert at 3 p.m. on Dec. 4 at the First United Methodist Church, 6109 La. Highway 311, Houma.

Since first being organized in 2002, the non-profit orchestra generally performs classic programs three to four times each year.

“This year, at our Christmas concert, we are featuring the Vandebilt choir,” orchestra co-director John Todd said. “The community orchestra is a string orchestra, but we have invited wind and percussion players to join us this time.”

A pool of 35 orchestra members and 65 students in the choir, ranging in grades 8 through 12, will perform Christmas classics and music not typically associated with the season.

“For the kids to be able to perform with an orchestra is a new thing for many of them,” choir director Sarah Todd said. “They are used to just doing a concert with a piano. To get the feeling of working with adults will be good.”

“People in this area have limited opportunity to hear orchestral music with strings,” John Todd said. “We are local and we are trying to give the public a taste of music they do not normally get. We usually give a pretty good performance.”

Orchestra co-conductor Chris Antill is directing the concert. Admission is $6 at the door.