The Folk Orchestra of Santa Barbara will perform its Winter Concert, Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at several locations in Santa Barbara County.

With musicians behind him, artistic director Adam Philips welcomes an audience to a performance by the Folk Orchestra of Santa Barbara. Phillips is wearing a black cap and black shirt, and has his guitar over his shoulder. (Courtesy photo
Artistic director Adam Philips welcomes audience members to a performance by the Folk Orchestra of Santa Barbara.(Courtesy photo)

The program will explore how people around the world reflect on the beauty, community, and power of winter – from Chinese folk songs to Bob Dylan and Jean Sibelius’ “Finlandia,” set into original arrangements by Folk Orchestra founder and artistic director Adam Phillips.

The concert blends the haunting sounds of the traditional Swedish nyckelharpa with Chinese flutes and penny whistles, with the Folk Orchestra’s signature harps, accordions, assortment of bagpipes, and classical strings and winds, capturing both the stark beauty and celebrations of winter.

The concerts will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31 at St. Mark’s-In-The-Valley Episcopal Church in Los Olivos; 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1 at Live Oak Universalist in Goleta; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Santa Barbara.

Tickets are available at folkorchestrasb.com.