For the first time in years, Saratoga Orchestra of Whidbey Island is performing on Central Whidbey.

All thanks to new music director and conductor Anna Edwards

“Anna, bless her heart, really wants us to be an island-wide orchestra that the whole island supports,” said Roxallanne Medley, concertmaster and a violin player in the orchestra.

The two-concert series is Jan. 17-18 in Coupeville and Langley.

The performance won’t be by the full orchestra performing, but instead 15-20 people.

One piece that Medley describes as “special,” “Appalachian Spring,” was originally written for a full orchestra, but the composer was commissioned to rewrite it for fewer instruments.

Another song, “The American Northwest,” by Tim Huling, of Seattle, is being performed for the first time.

“It’s a premiere, and it’s not ever been played,” Medley said. “It’s going to be a brand new thing for all of us, which is always exciting, because it’s never been heard before.”

“By having these smaller pieces, it allows us to give the audiences something they wouldn’t hear,” Medley said.

Plus the group plans to “knock their socks off” with their large production of “Carmina Burana” in March.

Saratoga Orchestra is hoping to play regularly in Central and North Whidbey, something that was stopped because not enough people were attending the concerts, said Medley.

The orchestra has continued to hold performances on South Whidbey.

“This is an opportunity to hear really good quality music without leaving the island,” Medley said. “If we don’t have the support of the community, the orchestra won’t continue.

“(An) orchestra is no good without an audience.”

The Chamber Concert performances are 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts at 565 Camano Avenue in Langley, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, at the Nordic Hall at 63 Jacobs Road in Coupeville.

Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and members of the military and free for those under 18. For tickets, email to orchestra@whidbey.com or call 360-929-3045.