‘Holidays at the Beach’ concert is Saturday, Dec. 13, in CH 2
LW ORCHESTRA
The Leisure World Orchestra’s “Holidays at the Beach” concert will feature holiday and wintry musical favorites and a line-up of soloists from inside and outside the community. The free concert will be held on Dec. 13 at 1 p.m. in Clubhouse 2.
LW Orchestra conductor Linda DeRungs has programmed several seasonally themed classical works, including Prokofiev’s “Sleigh Ride;” and the Russian dance movement from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite.” Additionally, the Leisure World Korean Community Church Choir under the direction of Dr. Samuel Kim will join the orchestra to perform the “Hallelujah” chorus from Handel’s “Messiah.” The concert also includes a medley of songs associated with Hanukkah and a singalong of traditional Christmas hymns.
Twentieth-century holiday pop standards have their place on the program too. The orchestra performs Mel Tormé’s “The Christmas Song” (think “chestnuts roasting”), and guest soprano Carol Winston will sing Irving Berlin’s classic, “White Christmas.”
The concert spotlights Leisure World’s home-grown musical talent. Mutual 14’s Richard Freedman will solo on “A Trumpeter’s Lullaby” by Leroy Anderson. GRF Member Resources Liaison Robann Arshat will present a Baroque-influenced flute solo accompanied by Mutual 7’s Yuri Lotakov on piano.
Lotakov will also play two duets with another guest artist, LA Opera first violinist Armen Anassian. Anassian, who was the conductor and violin soloist during two world tours of new age musician Yanni, will perform dance-inspired works by Béla Bartók and 20th-century composer Alfred Schnittke.
The concert is the first of the season for the Leisure World Orchestra, which will for the first time ever host three formal concerts during its 60th anniversary season. To mark the 2026 anniversary the orchestra’s board is formulating a new fundraising effort and readying a college/community partnership.
—William Thompson
Seen from the Amphitheater's backstage, conductor Linda DeRungs rehearses musicians for their Dec. 13 concert.
William Thompson
