HANFORD - Lemoore native Zachary Sheely will be the featured vocal soloist when the Kings Symphony Orchestra puts on its annual Christmas Concert at Hanford High School's Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center art 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17.

Sheely will perform "O Holy Night" with orchestra accompaniment. A 2000 graduate of Kings Christian School, Sheely received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Westmont College in 2004. After completing his studies at Westmont, he decided to devote his time and energy to opera.

Sheely is winner of the California Opera Association competition, Young Artist Competition in 2004 and 2006. He has performed Rinuccio ("Gianni Schicchi"), Pinkerton ("Madama Butterfly"), Brack Weaver ("Down in the Valley"), Rodolfo ("La Boheme"), Kaspar ("Amahl and the Night Visitors"), the Witch ("Hansel and Gretel"), and Remendado ("Carmen"). In addition, he sang the role of Hermes in the world premiere of "The Silver Swan" by Victor Kiulaphides.

In October, Sheeely made his international operatic debut in Hangzhou, China with the role of Remendado, followed by his Don Jose in "Carmen." He is a favored artist in the Bay area's Golden Gate Opera, and will appear in the company's spring gala concert in April.

Sheely will be singing a concert tour of Western opera favorites in May and June as an invited guest artist of the Chinese government. He trains with the world-renowned dramatic mezzo-soprano Edna Garabedian.

Orchestra selections at the concert include "A Christmas Festival" by Leroy Anderson, "Christmas Fugue" by Robert Brown (based on "We Wish You A Merry Christmas"), and "A Rockin' Christmas" by Chuck Sayre.

The audience will be invited to sing along on Christmas songs (with words printed in the program) and to join in with selections from Handel's "Messiah",ending with the "Hallelujah Chorus."

Tickets will be available at the door, priced at $10 adults, $8 for seniors and $ 2 for high school and college students.

For more information, call Mike Navarre at 583-9511 or Phyllis Gaines at 924-2300.

(Dec. 8, 2006)