Saratoga Orchestra presents the classics

Saratoga Orchestra of Whidbey Island presents “Classically Speaking,” a concert featuring music of Mozart, Mendlessohn and Haydn at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3 at South Whidbey High School in Langley.

Saratoga Orchestra of Whidbey Island presents “Classically Speaking,” a concert featuring music of Mozart, Mendlessohn and Haydn at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3 at South Whidbey High School in Langley.

Celebrating its sixth season under the artistic direction of Legh W. Burns, the orchestra will welcome guest conductor Roupen Shakarian and Demarre McGill, principal flute with Seattle Symphony Orchestra for this event.

The program includes Mozart’s Overture to “The Impressario” and G Major Flute Concerto K. 313, featuring McGill, as well as Mendelssohn’s “Hebrides Overture” (Fingal’s Cave) and Haydn’s Symphony 96, “The Miracle.”

“This concert is filled with wit, elegance, humor and excitement from a trio of amazing composers,” said Shakarian, now in his ninth season as music director of the Skagit Symphony. “It truly is ‘miraculous.’”

In addition to his work with the Skagit Symphony, Maestro Shakarian has appeared as guest conductor with the Seattle Symphony and Northwest Mahler Festival Orchestra as well as conducting the Victoria Symphony, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Youth Symphony, California Youth Symphony and the Northwest Chamber Orchestra.

McGill, principal flute of the Seattle Symphony since 2011, has held the same position with the San Diego Symphony, the Florida Orchestra and the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra and was Acting Principal Flute with the Pittsburgh Symphony. Winner of a 2003 Avery Fisher Career Grant, McGill has performed concerti with the Chicago Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, San Diego Symphony, and Baltimore Symphony, among others. He has been featured on a PBS Live From Lincoln Center broadcast with the Chamber Music Society, the Ravinia Festival’s “Rising Star” series, the A&E Network Series “The Gifted Ones,” and was a special guest on the “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood” television program.

Tickets cost $20 for adults and $18 for senior/military. Students 18 and under are admitted free; under 14 must be accompanied by a paying adult.