To see an orchestra in full swing, most rural residents would have to drive a lengthy distance into the hustle and bustle of the city. But this being South Whidbey, where the arts are alive and well, South Enders don’t have to go far to see a quality orchestra.

The Saratoga Orchestra, currently in its 10th year, is performing its second concert of the season with its performances of the children’s classic Peter and the Wolf. It’s the second time they’ll perform Sergei Prokofiev’s classic, but instead of only doing it in Coupeville like last year, the orchestra will bring the show to Oak Harbor and Langley in addition to Central Whidbey. The orchestra will perform at 2 p.m. at First Reformed Church in Oak Harbor today, 11 a.m. at Coupeville High School on Dec. 10 and at 3 p.m. at Island Church in Langley Dec. 10.

The concerts are preceded by what the orchestra is calling an “instrument petting zoo.” Adults and kids alike can meet and greet with musicians in the orchestra and familiarize themselves with the instruments by getting hands-on experience.

“We like doing that because the kids can get up close to the instruments and hear them in context with what the Peter and the Wolf story tells,” Executive Director and trombonist Larry Heidel said. “This hopefully will spark a little bit of imagination with these kids. They might be interested in furthering their music curiosity.”

The instrument petting zoo is in line with one of the orchestra’s overarching goals: to encourage and develop young musicians on Whidbey. Anna Edwards, the music director and conductor, is an educator by trade who is also the music director at Roosevelt High School in Seattle. Principal second violinist and original orchestra member Paula Pugh said Edwards has been adding even more of a youth development component to the orchestra, although that was part of the late Legh Burns’ vision for Saratoga Orchestra as the founding conductor 10 years ago. Burns died Nov. 8.

High school students have the opportunity to play side-by-side with professional musicians in the orchestra if they are at a high enough level. It’s part of the talent development program, where students are mentored by their more experienced peers. There are currently five high school students involved in the Peter and the Wolf performances.

“There’s not a youth orchestra per se on the island, so we’re trying to fill that gap where students have the opportunity to come and play with us,” Heidel said.

“We’re very much an educational organization, while we remain a quality orchestra,” Pugh said.

Edwards isn’t the only orchestra member whose professional life revolves around education. Other orchestra members include educators such as Chris Harshman, a South Whidbey High School music teacher, Jenny Gochanour, a Spanish teacher at the high school, and Brian Kenney, who teaches at Whidbey Island Waldorf School. Harshman is the principal bassoonist while Gochanour and Kenney are violinists.

The orchestra’s mentoring aspect is one of its services to Whidbey. The orchestra works with the net of music educators on the South End such as those at Island Strings and the South Whidbey School District. While the organizations coordinate to track and develop talent, the orchestra also has members who went through Island Strings and the high school’s music program.

Gochanour is one of those musicians. She started playing violin with Island Strings in second grade.

“I love to have students involved in the orchestra,” Gochanour said. “It is such an important aspect of what we do, and to me it really feels like a complete circle.”

In addition to fostering young musical talent on the island, Saratoga Orchestra adds to the plethora of organizations that make Whidbey’s burgeoning arts scene what it is. Heidel says Whidbey has been known for its visual arts scene for as long as he can remember, but these days there is a litany of music ensembles and bands.

“I can’t say enough about the support that we get from the community,” Heidel said. “It’s the only way we can survive here.”

For Pugh, the most important aspect of the orchestra is its ability to give back to the South Whidbey community. To have a quality orchestra that islanders could hear without having to wait in ferry lines or pay more than $50 is important for her. It also cultivates public interest in the arts, and that interest is part of what has kept the orchestra going for 10 years.

“It’s been very heartwarming to see it grow and flourish from its beginning,” Pugh said.

Kyle Jensen / The Record High schoolers Quivande White (left), Jordan George (center) and Kenzo Sturm (right) rehearse for Peter and the Wolf. The trio are part of the talent development program, which offers young musicians a chance to play in the orchestra.