In a celebration of autumn, the Santa Barbara Symphony Youth Ensembles will perform two free November concerts for the community.

The first is 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22 in the Music Academy of the West’s Hahn Hall, with the Camerata Ensemble and the Philharmonia Orchestra directed by Marisa McLeod.

From spooky tangos and ghostly legends to festive favorites, the concert spotlights students in grades two through 10.

The second concert features the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony, 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23 at the Lobero Theatre.

Directed by Daniel Gee, the Youth Symphony will perform a galaxy-themed program with movements from Holst’s “The Planets: Mars, the Bringer of War;” “Venus, the Bringer of Peace;” and “Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity;” along with John Williams’ “Duel of the Fates” from “The Phantom Menace Suite” in collaboration with the Westmont College Choir.

Santa Barbara Symphony Youth Concerto Competition winner cellist Gretta Ulivo will be the soloist for Arvo Pärt’s “Fratres.”

“With these three substantial and challenging movements from the Planets, it feels like we are diving in headfirst,” said Gee, Santa Barbara Youth Symphony conductor and director of the Westmont College Choir. “The students have been practicing and rehearsing diligently to bring this exhilarating music to life.”

In further collaboration with Westmont College, Gee brought the musicians of the Youth Symphony to campus to view Saturn and various constellations through Westmont’s Keck Telescope, led by his wife Jennifer Gee, assistant professor of physics and director of the Westmont Observatory.

“Our collaboration with Westmont has been twofold this cycle, resulting in what I hope to be an ever richer educational and musical experience,” he said.

“The Santa Barbara Symphony’s Youth Ensembles are about much more than music lessons,” said Kathryn R. Martin, president/CEO of the Santa Barbara Symphony. “They represent our vibrant community where students learn leadership, discipline, teamwork, and the joy of artistic expression.

“These performances are a chance for audiences to witness the dedication of these young students, and to nurture our next generation of performing artists and community leaders.”

The Santa Barbara Symphony Youth Ensembles program is currently accepting mid-year applications for all three levels. Application deadline is Dec. 1. One year of experience playing an instrument and the ability to read music is required.

For more, visit https://thesymphony.org/education/youth-ensembles-audition-information/.