The Central California Youth Wind Ensemble will present its holiday concert, Snow and Stars, on Friday, Dec. 22. The free performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. and be staged at California State University Stanislaus, Snider Recital Hall, in Turlock.

The Youth Wind Ensemble has been performing music in the Central Valley since 2015. The group is made up of local student and professional musicians from Stanislaus, Merced and San Joaquin counties.

“We invite everyone to our biannual free concerts to enjoy high level musical performances by skilled and talented musicians who call this area home,” said Oakdale High School graduate and Conductor Alex Arellano. “Our goal is to break down the barriers that exist with orchestra and “classical” music concerts by removing the cost and hosting quality performances of approachable music.”

Arellano grew up in Oakdale and attended Oakdale High, went on to study music on the East Coast and in Europe while still working with the ensemble to perform twice a year. He currently lives in Tampa, Florida.

“I still proudly return home to perform with this ensemble that, just like myself, encourages local musicians who went on to study music at the university level, to come home and share those talents with the community that gave them their start,” Arellano said.

All are welcome and encouraged to attend this special evening of music.