Make no mistake, the holiday season is here and the Reno Philharmonic with guest singer Cami Thompson accompanied with musicians, choirs and dancers from the community will present the “Spirit of the Season” holiday concert on Saturday and Sunday at the Pioneer Center for Performing Arts. 

Born and Raised in Reno, Thompson has perfected her vocal talents and jazz singing skills with more than 30 years of performing. This year Thompson said she if foregoing performing in her own holiday show in order to perform with the Reno Philharmonic for “Spirit of the Season.” 

Thompson said it was the philharmonic’s new conductor Laura Jackson that sparked her interest in working with the orchestra after the 40th anniversary Gershwin show in August. 

“My family went to see the Gershwin show over the summer,” Thompson said. “We were absolutely amazed at this amazing, brilliant conductor.” 

Jackson later attended a jazz show Thompson was performing at and met with Thompson at intermission, Thompson said she received a call the next day that asked her to be a part of “Spirit of the Season.” 

“Normally I do my holiday show, usually I do Sparks Hometowne Christmas,” Thompson said. “I am very excited to be playing with the philharmonic.” 

Thompson said she has been rehearsing for the holiday performance for about a month and is excited to perform her own original material as well as holiday classics. 

“I did a Christmas album in 1998,” Thompson said, adding that when she met with the philharmonic to start planning the performance she brought her own music with her. 

“My arrangements have all been enhanced by Sam Cardon for the orchestra,” Thompson explained, adding that singing while being backed up by a full orchestra is exciting. 

Thompson said she will be singing classic holiday favorites such as “Silver Bells” accompanied by the Sierra Nevada Children’s Choir. “Winter Wonderland” and “Let it Snow” will be accompanied by dancers to choreography by Lynn Darth of Minden. Thompson said she will also perform “O’ Holy Night” and a narrated version of “The Night Before Christmas.” 

“Color of Christmas,” which Thompson said she wrote for her mother and is on her Christmas album, will also be performed at “Spirit of the Season” along with the song “Closing of the Year,” which audience members might find familiar since it is on the 1992 Robin Williams movie “Toys” soundtrack.  

“We’re trying to get multiple styles in this show,” Thompson said. “It’s really a diverse program. It celebrates a lot of cultures and beliefs of this time of year.” 

In addition to what many would consider traditional holiday music, Thompson said “Spirit of the Season” will include African drum music as well as traditional Hanukkah music. 

“It is to celebrate the music,” Thompson said. “It’s more about the love of humanity.” 

Thompson said she believes her career has been so successful because of her love of music and her love of people. She began touring when she was 18 and has been performing ever since. 

“I’m not really good at anything else,” Thompson said with a bubbly laugh. “I love music. I write my own music. I create my own music. I arrange my own music. I love people and I love to share my love of music. 

“I love it and I’m good at it and I prefer to do this over anything anyway,” Thompson added. 

In addition to performing, Thompson gives voice lessons and said she is very proud of all of her students. Thompson added that it is local artist who people are supporting when they attend performances such as “Spirit of the Season.” 

“It is the first week of December and it’s time to open your hearts,” Thompson said about why people should attend. “The sense of community and belonging to a community when you come to a show like this is amazing. 

“Everyone that is performing in this are from our community,” Thompson added. “It’s out community, these are people you know. It’s great to support them. It keeps the joy at this time of year going and hopefully going into the next year.” 

There will be two performances of “Spirit of the Season” one of Saturday and one Sunday. Both shows begin at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $7.50 to $56 for children and $9 to $66 for adults. Tickets can be purchased by visiting, www.renophilharmonic.com or by calling 323-6393. 

For more information about Thompson, including information about voice lessons, visit www.camithompson.com.