Community orchestras are becoming more and more popular in Colorado, and Summit County is lucky enough to have topnotch professionals in its ensemble.

The Summit Community Orchestra started more than a decade ago out of a specific need: The Backstage Theatre wanted musicians to accompany the musical it was producing. But once the show ended, the orchestra discovered that there was a greater need for a group of musicians – community members wanted to share their love of music with one another, and a larger audience.

Now the orchestra includes more than 30 members. Ages range from high school to late 70s, and everyone learns from one another. For example, high school students see that older people are not only still very engaged in music, but also in skiing, hiking and biking, which provides inspiration, said orchestra member Janet Harriman.

Tonight, the musicians perform their fall concert with something new: chamber music.

Harriman, a harp professor at University of Colorado at Boulder, wanted to showcase some of the professional musicians in the ensemble, including public school and private lesson teachers, as well as music professors and those with master’s degrees in music.

For example, Kenneth Evans, who will lead the orchestra in a performance of the Holst St. Paul Suite and the Vivaldi Concerto in D Minor for Strings, used to teach at University of Northern Colorado. He’s just one of the many examples of the fine talent Summit County’s orchestra draws.

“There are so many high-quality musicians in Summit County that people don’t know about,” said orchestra president Erika Krainz.

In addition to featuring highly accomplished musicians, the concert also will showcase top amateur and high school student musicians, the latter of which participated in Scale the Summit music camp. Solos, duos, trios, quartets and quintets will perform works by Mozart, Dvorak, Bach and Tchaikovsky.

Harriman intends to present more chamber ensembles through the community concerts, partially because it “feeds the musicians’ souls,” but also because it allows audiences to experience the talent Summit County holds.

Another first for the orchestra involves performing at Keystone’s new Warren Station, a venue they’re excited to play in, Krainz said.

The orchestra also will perform “The Nutcracker” at Warren Station with the Summit School of Dance Dec. 10-11.