The Solano Symphony Orchestra has performed its annual “Salute to Youth” concert for decades, this year with five selected student soloists and songs covering a wide range of genres.

“These kids are outstanding,” says Marketing Chair Gayl Sloan. “This particular group is really strong.”

Although every year students audition to be featured soloists in the show, Sloan says it is rare to select so many. Four of the five selected soloists are available to perform at the concert: Mallika Bhargava (Flute), Matthew Vallero (Vocalist-Baritone), Claire Shu (Violin) and Robi Castaneda (Piano).

The soloists are all students ages 20 and under, most of whom are in high school. Vallero, the vocalist, is just 14 years old.

Bhargava will perform “Fantaisie for Flute and Orchestra,” Vallero will sing “Largo al factotum” from The Barber of Seville, Shu will play “Violin Concerto No. 3 in B minor, Op. 61,” and Castaneda will play “Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26.”

While the first half of the concert is dedicated to the soloists and the symphony orchestra, the second half is what Music Director and Conductor Semyon Lohss calls a “side by side.”

In the side by side, local band and orchestra students will come onstage and perform pieces alongside the symphony orchestra. “This year we have 23 kids coming from 6 different schools that are just kids who think that they can play, and they are going to sit on the stage with the symphony,” says Sloan.

Having young musicians play with the symphony can be inspiring, watching the next generation of musicians continue the symphony tradition, says Sloan.

However, Lohss admits it has its challenges. “The students do not have experience playing with the orchestra. If you are talking about soloists, that’s difficult in particular,” he says.

“We all have to be on alert,” he says, but adds that even though it may be more challenging, the symphony members are prepared every year and know what to expect.

With just two rehearsals before the concert, Lohss says things fell into place after their first run through of the program. “It was like the concert right away,” he says.

The side by side section of the performance will feature three songs, one for orchestra, one for the band, and one that brings both together.

“It’s such a variety of music. Starting with the classical composers, going to later but still not contemporary, then going into the medleys from musicals. So, it’s just a huge, huge range,” says Lohss.

“This is an absolutely different experience but it is very interesting,” says Lohss.

If you go …

WHAT: “Salute to Youth”

WHEN: March 23, 2 p.m.

WHERE: Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre, 1010 Ulatis Dr., Vacaville.