Whidbey Island Orchetras will be hosting a holiday concert and community party Friday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of Langley United Methodist Church.

There will be music by the Whidbey Island Youth Orchestra, Whidbey Island Community Orchestra and by small ensembles from within the orchestras and their friends, as well as a holiday carol sing along.

Refreshments will be provided.  Admission is free.

The orchestras’ holiday tradition is to share music and food with all community members. Donations from the holiday concert will be shared with Friends of Friends, the local group offering financial help to South Whidbey residents with medical-related bills they cannot afford to pay.

Both the youth and community orchestras have openings for new musicians.

Whidbey Island Youth Orchestra is open to young musicians who have the basic musical skills for reading music and playing in ensembles. Beginning this year, the Youth Orchestra is open to all wind instruments as well as strings.The Community Orchestra is open to all orchestral instruments.

Both orchestras hold rehearsals on Thursdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at South Whidbey High School.

There will also be a winter concert on Friday, March 2, and a spring concert on Friday, May 25.

For information about the concert or about joining an orchestra, email Bill Halstead at billmvg@gmail.com or contact Sheri Kelly at 360-341-3130 or james.kelly1@juno.com.