The Poulsbo Community Orchestra’s free opening concert of the 2022-23 called “Comfort & Joy” will take place at 3 p.m. Dec. 3 at the North Kitsap High School auditorium.

Conjuring cozy, nostalgic and joyful times, PCO presents classical and holiday favorites from a variety of composers.

The concert will introduce music director and conductor Joseph Pollard White.

Reservations are required at www.PoulsboCommunityOrchestra.org.

The program showcases the holiday perennial Prelude to the opera “Hansel and Gretel” by Engelbert Humperdinck, Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Greensleeves, a selection from “Winter” from the Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi, and gives a playful nod to the festive favorites Sleigh Ride and Christmas Festival by Leroy Anderson, the traditional 12 Days of Christmas, the Hanukkah song Ocho Kandelikas, and more.

White has performed across the United States and Europe, on the concert stage, in the orchestra pit, and in the recording studio. He was conductor for the popular films Bring it On and Air Bud and the critically acclaimed One Hour Photo. As conductor for the Seattle Mandolin Orchestra, he led innovative performances of Handel’s Messiah and released two CDs. As music director of the Thalia Symphony, he has directed a wide range of repertoire, including an Ode to Joy concert at Benaroya Hall.

PCO orchestra members violinists Daniel Leonhart and Wendy Snyder are featured in their December printed programs. Discover the off-stage stories of the volunteer musicians online at www.facebook.com/PoulsboCommunityOrchestra.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, PCO is dedicated to providing opportunities for musicians, young and old, to play orchestral music year-round and perform concerts for the North Kitsap community.