By KATIE MCDOWELL / Lifestyles Editor

The Alabama Youth Symphony will perform its first concert of the 2011-2012 season Sunday, Nov. 13 at the Indian Springs School Concert Hall.

The AYS is full orchestra for advanced high school students, according to a press release issue by the AYS.

Jeff Pleimling, a spokesman for the AYS, said auditions were held at the end of the last school and the musicians began practicing this fall.

“It’s a very excellent group,” he said. “And our new conductor did a great job … picking music for this performance.”

The concert will feature many pieces that will be familiar to the audience, according to a press release. The concert will include the “Star Spangled Banner,” Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man,” Samuel Barber’s “Adagio for Strings,” Bedrich Smetana’s “The Moldeau,” Edward Elgar’s “Enigma Variations” and Gustav Host’s “Mars.”

“Our new conductor did a great job … picking music for this performance,” Pleimling said.

The AYS performs three formal concerts each season. Its members represent communities from across north central Alabama.

The concert will begin at 3 p.m. and is free to the public.