FAIRBANKS — An orchestra conductor floats on an air of mystery. Standing on an elevated riser, an audience can’t help but ponder the special workings of this person operating with his or her back to the audience. And then, through a performance of gestures — exaggerated and subtle, a movement of hands, baton and body — unleashes a kind of magic culminating in an aural and visual delight of sound and exuberance.

Several times a year, George Rydlinski proudly ascends that riser as conductor of the Fairbanks Youth Symphony where his exaltations and intensity yield splendid results from the 50 seats filled with (mostly) high school students.

But these concert events are actually the culmination of months of hard work. While black-clad and visibly focused on stage, most of the generally easy-going Rydlinski’s work happens behind the scenes as he guides, develops and prepares these students for several yearly performances.

The next youth symphony performance, the Winter Concert, is 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11 in Davis Concert Hall. There also will be performances by the Youth Concert Orchestra and Youth String Orchestra. Totaling approximately 120 students, all three groups fall under the umbrella of the Fairbanks Youth Orchestras, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

Rydlinski doubles as the youth symphony’s musical director. He selects music that challenges his symphony, but doesn’t break them.

“It’s an educational thing, but also something to help them progress, to give them something a little above their ability to strive to achieve,” he said. “I teach them how to work as an ensemble to define their roles … how to play rhythmically precise and together. We work on breathing and feeling the musicians coming together under one idea, not 100 different ideas. We shoot for one concept and go from there. It’s a unified approach.”

As a classically trained bassoonist who performs with the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra and Arctic Chamber Orchestra, Rydlinski understands those needs from a player’s perspective and is able to extend these concepts to his students.

“They all contribute to something that is greater than their individual part. To me it’s the ultimate team experience, more so than any sport I’ve ever played,” Rydlinski said.

“He’s been doing a great job. Every conductor has his own vision of what the orchestra should be doing. He’s a wonderful conductor, a great musician, he enjoys working with the kids and that’s a great recipe for success of the youth symphony,” said FSO maestro Eduard Zilberkant, who ceded the position to Rydlinski in 2005.

“When I conducted the youth symphony, he (filled) in on bassoon. Sometimes when I couldn’t do the rehearsals he was the one to step in and rehearse the orchestra. The kids really liked him a lot.”

As Zilberkant’s professorial duties at the University of Alaska Fairbanks increased, he took a leave of absence and recommended Rydlinski take over as interim director. A year later, Zilberkant resigned the position.

“I knew everything was going great. So I basically handed it over to him,” Zilberkant said.

Even before working with the youth symphony, Rydlinski amassed plenty of orchestral and conducting experience. He studied bassoon (“not exactly the most common instrument,” he joked) at Northern Illinois University, earning a Bachelor of Music Performance degree. He joined the army three years later, working first with the 76th Army Band in Kaiserslautern, Germany. His 21-year army band tour also included stints with Fourth U.S. Army Band at Fort Sheridan, Ill., the U.S. Continental Army Band at Fort Monroe, Va. and the 9th Army Band at Fort Wainwright.

It was during his time in Alaska (which included a stay at Fort Richardson), that Rydlinski honed his conducting skills.

“My final army job was first sergeant and enlisted band leader. I was the senior non-commissioned officer of the band, and that requires quite a bit of conducting,” he said.

When he retired in 2004, he became the publicity director with FSO, a job he still holds.

Most Saturday mornings find Rydlinski at Davis Concert Hall practicing his symphony. His approach is casual and relaxed, but very focused. Because the work is with students, they can only practice once a week, and Rydlinski squeezes all he can out of these two hours.

“If we could meet more than once a week we could perform more,” he said, “but due to our (student) situation (homework, additional activities) we can only get together once a week.”

Working with students poses another challenge: Graduation.

Rydlinski explained that each year, approximately

25 percent of his symphony graduates. Many leave the area to attend college; some move up to the FSO. This typically leaves a few holes. While some students from the concert orchestra usually move up, sometimes filling enough seats for certain compositions proves challenging.

“We have guests fill out my orchestra, usually university students or community members,” he said. “We like this so my kids get a good solid orchestral experience.”

Despite the high graduation rate — 50 percent one year — Rydlinski said many of the students stick with the group for three to four years. It’s during these periods of musical accomplishment and growth he achieves great satisfaction. The students might arrive a little shy and unsure of their skills, but by the time they leave they have amassed confidence in their abilities.

“I’m not saying I’m taking credit for that, but it’s really nice to see and gives us hope for the future of our community,” he said.

“It’s just one of the highlights of my life, working with these talented young kids. … As much as they seem to enjoy it, I enjoy it even more,” he added with a light laugh. “To see when they finally get something, an idea or concept that becomes second nature to them, just to see the growth and progress they make, that’s what really gets me really excited. I’m really proud of our kids.”