Corrie Lynn White, of Foley, performs during strings camp last week with the Baldwin County Youth Orchestra. The group is hosting an open house for new students this Friday.

Allison Marlow / Gulf Coast Media

Two years after Hurricane Sally destroyed their building and the spread of COVID-19 thinned their ranks, the excitement surrounding the new endeavors of the Baldwin County Youth Orchestra is building to a crescendo.

The group has moved into its new studio on Nichols Avenue in Fairhope after two years of bouncing between locations after Hurricane Sally destroyed the buildings at Fairhope Avenue Baptist Church that they once called home.

Now at the Nicols Avenue location, the orchestra, which has served more than 500 students in its decade-long tenure, has plans to expand and grow.

This year the Baldwin County Youth Orchestra will host a Baldwin Youth Chorus, bringing young vocalists into the fold to learn and perform at county events.

The orchestra and wind ensemble are also continuing to accept students and the group will host a homeschool band, choir and guitar classes.

Director Leroy Hughes was all smiles during the orchestra's annual camp last week as he discussed the plans for expansion.

"We are on fire. We're receiving a donation this week, we're having a ribbon cutting for the building, it's all just been great," he said.

Hughes stresses that the orchestra needs more high school age performers and that high school band students are welcome. There are also college scholarships available to Baldwin County Youth Orchestra members.

"We try to give college money to every senior in the orchestra," he said. "The longer they play with us, obviously the more they will receive."