STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

The Wood River Orchestra will couple its annual holiday concert on Sunday with a pre-concert celebration of holiday-themed refreshments and an opportunity to big on a variety of silent auction items.

The free concert will begin at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, at the Church of the Big Wood in Ketchum. The pre-concert celebration will begin at 3:30 p.m.

The concert itself will feature a long list of beloved holiday classics, as well as several new tunes the orchestra has not performed before.

“We’ll weave several medleys of holiday classics with familiar pieces such as ‘Trepak’ from ‘The Nutcracker’ and ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ from ‘Meet Me in St. Louis,’ ” said Brad Hershey, the orchestra’s conductor and musical director. “Newer, less familiar works – ‘Taiga,’ for example – will bring a fresh sound and spirit to the festivities.”

Silent auction items will include photos donated by the Sun Valley Photography Club and an opportunity to wield the conductor’s baton at a future Wood River Orchestra concert. Also on the auction block is an hourlong string trio performance by Wood River violinists Stephen McDougall Graham and Andy Moffat and cellist Richard Inouye.

Rounding out the items is a cocktail party for up to 15 guests prepared by orchestra musicians and featuring live piano music at the home of Nancy and Bill Warren—or a party for up to 20 people at a home with a piano.

Donations to help the orchestra cover such expenses as purchasing sheet music, hiring guest musicians and paying for the conductor will also be gratefully accepted.

The Wood River Orchestra was founded 16 years ago in 2007 to enrich the lives of Sun Valley-area residents to perform and enjoy orchestral music. New members of all abilities are always welcome and the orchestra also helps refurbish instruments when needed.

The orchestra performs three free concerts a year, and many of the members play at other community events throughout the valley, including weddings, the Daffodil Festival at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden and more.

“Part of our mission is to provide an inclusive opportunity for musicians to play in an orchestra led by a professional conductor,” said Lynne Heidel, who plays first violin in the ensemble and serves as president of the board. “We welcome participation by musicians regardless of their age, ability or financial means. The other part of our mission is to play for the public free of charge. Therefore, we rely entirely on donations and grants to cover expenses such as music, practice and concert venues, promotional materials, programs and our conductor.”

Want to know more? Visit www.wrcorchestra.org.