By Lexi MooreHills-Beaver Creek band students Jessica Penning and Rebecca Crawford will spend their Saturday mornings until spring practicing with the elite Sioux Empire Youth Orchestra in Sioux Falls.The orchestra will celebrate its 30th anniversary this season.The group is comprised of orchestra students from the region who improve their musical talents by rehearsing and performing challenging music with peers who have a common interest in orchestral music.The orchestra accepts students ages 6 to 22 years old. Musicians are accepted into the program following auditions or conductors’ approval.Conductors place the students in one of five groups that will best accommodate the individual musical abilities and interests.The five groups are Prelude, Symphonia, Philharmonia, Brass/Wind Ensemble and the Youth Symphony Orchestra.H-BC students Jessica and Rebecca were placed in both the Brass/Wind Ensemble and the Youth Symphony Orchestra.Jessica, a senior who lives outside of Beaver Creek, began playing the flute in fifth grade because it was the instrument no one else wanted to play. She discovered early on that making music was just as interesting as listening to it."As I grew older and learned more about music," Jessica said. "I realized that music helps calm the soul and that I love teaching others the art of music."Her talents grew as she did and helped her earn the prestigious position of first flute in the youth orchestra. Although this will be her fourth season playing with the group, she has had to audition every year.Jessica will major in music education at Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa, next fall.This will be the first season H-BC sophomore Rebecca will play with the orchestra. She began playing an instrument when she was in eighth grade.She will be playing the alto and tenor saxophones with the youth orchestra this season. She also knows how to play the trumpet.Jessica convinced Rebecca to audition for the orchestra because it would be fun and help her improve at band by playing more difficult material."I wanted to have an enjoyable band experience."The experience must be enjoyable because the girls are on the road to Sioux Falls by 8:15 a.m. on Saturday mornings for rehearsal.This Saturday, Nov. 19, their rehearsal with the brass/wind ensemble will be open to the public. Music lovers interested in attending can arrive at the Augustana Humanities Building at 9 a.m.The orchestra will have five performances this season. Tickets can be purchased the day of the concert at the ticket counter. The "Night in Vienna Gala" in March require an advance ticket purchase.The girls said they are excited to be working on music for their winter concert featuring the Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Brass/Wind Ensemble. They will be playing "Fingal’s Cave" by Mendelssohn, "Gabriel’s Obor" from the film, "The Mission," by Ennio Morricone, "Kol Nidrei, Agagio fur Violoncello," by Bruch, and "Suite Algerienne" by Saens.Both Patriot musicians will have solos in the performance.Jessica encourages residents to come to the winter concert to hear what an orchestra is all about."Mark your calendars," she said, "because this is a great chance to see many young musicians who have a love of music and enjoy playing."SIDEBARSioux Empire Youth Orchestra PerformancesJan. 8, 2006Winter Concert featuring Youth Symphony Orchestra and Brass/Wind EnsembleKresge Recital Hall Augustana College at 4 p.m.Freeman Academy, 7 p.m.March 4, 2006Sioux Empire Youth Orchestra- Youth Symphony Orchestra GalaNight in ViennaHoliday Inn City CenterHave a ball and raise fundsfor Sioux Empire Youth Orchestra.Holiday Inn City Centre, 6:00 -10:00 p.m.April 9, 2006All-Orchestra Showcase ConcertBrandon Performing Arts Center at 4 p.m.May 14, 2006Youth Symphony and Wind/Brass EnsembleSpring ConcertKresge Recital HallAugustana College at 4 p.m.