The Folk Orchestra of Santa Barbara returns this autumn and winter with a lineup of shows featuring sea-chantey singalongs, a visit from an international Scottish fiddle master, more Irish songs and an ancient Celtic war instrument.

Four sets of shows are planned, starting Sept. 19 with Songs of the Sea. Tickets to the whole season are available at folkorchestrasb.com.

Venues include the historic Presidio Chapel, Trinity Lutheran Church, the Marjorie Luke Theater, and St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley in Los Olivos.

Led by founder and musical director Adam Phillips, the Folk Orchestra, founded in 2017, combines professional musicians with talented amateurs, all Central Coast residents.

“We’re playing with our — and your — friends and neighbors,” said Phillips. “We have created a community over the years and we welcome new listeners each time we play.”

Orchestra member Brian Mann, who has been performing on accordion since the age of four, in the LA studio scene and beyond, said. “To me, the Folk Orchestra is where beauty and hope spring eternal.

“I love this orchestra. We’ve all become like family now and travel together to distant lands on clouds of harmony. Come bask in the warmth of this classic music from every corner of the world.”

Shows for the 2025-26 season:

Songs of the Sea – Sept. 19-21.
Maritime Music from all over the world; well-known shanties, such as “The Water Is Wide,” “Haul Away Joe,” “The Wellerman” and “The Navy Hymn.”

Scottish – Nov. 7-9.
Features special guests Alasdair Fraser, long regarded as Scotland’s premier fiddle ambassador, and Natalie Haas, the Californian cellist, who has been touring internationally for 25 years.

Medieval – Jan. 30-31, Feb. 1.
Feeling dubious about music from 600 years ago? The Folk Orchestra will make this ancient music come alive with strings, hurdy-gurdy, harps, and ancient Celtic battle horns.
 
Irish – March 13-15
Always one of the most popular annual shows, this series will feature Irish favorites, Celtic surprises, and singalongs.

Tickets for all of the 2025-26 concerts are now available on the Folk Orchestra website.

The Folk Orchestra of Santa Barbara has 28 musicians, blending orchestral instruments (violin, cello, flute …) with common and specialized folk instruments (guitar, mandolin, accordion, bagpipes, world flutes, xiao, hurdy-gurdy …).

Samples from previous concerts can be viewed on YouTube here and here.