FARMINGTON – Several young Franklin County musicians have been accepted into the Mid Maine Youth Orchestra.

The orchestra accepts young musicians from the Mid Maine region who excel in their instrument. Members were selected by auditions and had to be in good standing in their school band or orchestra. The philosophy is to foster the development of musical talent in Maine’s youth and to provide musical opportunities.

Jay Smith of Industry has been accepted into the orchestra as the concert master playing the first violin. Smith, 18, is a senior at Mt. Blue High School and is the son of Janet and Jim Smith of Industry.

Caitlin Douglass of Farmington has been accepted as a cellist. Douglass is a freshman at Mt. Blue High School and is the daughter of Tracy Williams of Farmington and Glen Douglass of Phillips.

Craig Collins of Temple has been accepted as a bassoon player. Collins, is a senior at Mt. Blue High School and is the son of Barbara and Dean Collins of Temple.

Anthea Fletcher of Farmington has been accepted as a violinist. Fletcher, 14 is a freshman at Mt. Blue High School and is the daughter of Catherine Kimball and Tony Fletcher of Farmington. Her sister, Claire Fletcher, has been accepted as a cello player. She is an eighth-grade student at the Mt. Blue Middle School.

Amanda Hall of Farmington has been named as a viola player. Hall, 15, is a sophomore at Mt. Blue High School and is the daughter of Lisa Ellrich of Farmington.

Luke Pane of Wilton has been named as a violinist. Pane is an eighth-grader at Mt. Blue Middle School and is the son of Y. Lily Funahashi and Steven Pane of Wilton.

Harper Burke of Wilton has been accepted as a violinist. Burke, 16, is a junior at Mt. Blue High School and is the daughter of Pat O’Donnell and Michael Burke of Wilton.

Noah Meldrum of Wilton has been named as a violinist. Meldrum is a junior at Mt. Blue High School and is the son of Barbara and Norman Meldrum of Wilton.

North Kay of Industry has been accepted into the orchestra as a cellist. Kay is an eighth-grader at Mt. Blue Middle School and is the son of Roger and Sunny Kay of Industry.

Seth Wegner of Wilton has been accepted as a cellist. Wegner is a freshman at Mt. Blue High School and is the son of Carl and Marilyn Wegner of Wilton.

The orchestra will be conducted under the guidance of Andrew Forster, music director for SAD 47, and Steve Muise, string leader for SAD 9.

The public will be invited to two free concerts at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 29, in the Messalonskee Performing Art Center in Oakland and 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, in the Nordica Auditorium at the University of Maine at Farmington.