LEWES — A new orchestra comprised of southern Delaware musicians will have its first performance Saturday in Lewes at the Bethel United Methodist Church at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.

The Southern Delaware Orchestra, or SODELO, welcomes musicians of varying skill levels, said co-founder Steve Greifer. The group counts retired professionals, music teachers and high school students among its members. The orchestra will be led by James Allen Anderson, conductor of the University of Delaware Symphony Orchestra.

SODELO is “really the best orchestra that I’ve played in,” said Mr. Greifer, a Milton resident.

“The quality of the music is terrific,” he said.

The orchestra held its first rehearsal in early May, Mr. Greifer said. He co-founded the group with Eva DelGallo, a fellow violinist and cello teacher at the Music School of Delaware. While there is no cost for Saturday’s performance, the orchestra is accepting donations. The orchestra has applied for nonprofit status and contributions will be retroactively tax-deductible, Mr. Greifer said.

Interest in the group among southern Delawareans has far exceeded his expectations.

“It’s been incredibly fun and gratifying” to see area musicians flock to the group, Mr. Greifer said.

Currently SODELO is a string instrument-only group and is actively looking for bass players, Mr. Greifer said. He hopes to include other instruments in the orchestra as soon as next year, including clarinets, trumpets and flutes.

Mr. Greifer, who moved to Delaware last year from New Jersey with his wife, played in the Westchester Amateur Musicians Orchestra in New York for five or six years. The orchestra did not require auditions, which helped to create an inviting atmosphere, he said. That lack of judgment got Mr. Greifer to pick up his violin again — 30 years after setting it down after his time in his college orchestra.

He is striving to achieve a similar atmosphere with SODELO.

“Everybody’s welcome,” Mr. Greifer said.