Jackson Symphony Orchestra conductor Stephen Osmond is making Saturday's "Stars of the JSO" concert part of his 25th anniversary celebration with the symphony.

Rather than featuring one or two stars in the annual concert, as is the custom, Osmond has assembled a galaxy of I I stars, including several who rarely get a chance to shine because of the instruments they play.

"This concert, I really want to focus on the people who have made these 25 years really enjoyable for me," Osmond said.

The soloists include concertmaster emeritus Philip Mason (violin), who will perform a Beethoven triple concerto with his son , Brian Hodges (cello), and daughter-in-law, Betsi Hodges (piano).,

Brian Hodges, the symphony's administrative assistant and director of the Community Music School, said he enjoys the chance to perform with people he knows so well and whose style is so similar to his.

"It really helps when you're comfortable," Hodges said. "Even though we play with each other all the time, this is still a unique experience."

Other soloists include: Anita Fobes, piano; Xie Min, violin; Clyde McKaney, viola; Danilo Mezzadri, flute; Stephen C. Foster, French horn; Ronald Douglass, trombone; Steven Newton, bassoon; and Joseph Feinberg, double bass.

Doulgass, Newton and Feinberg see the concert as a chance to put their instruments in the spotlight.

Douglass, a member of the symphony since 1970 and conductor of the Jackson Community Concert Band, will be performing his first trombone solo at a JSO stars concert in 12 years during a concertino for trombone and strings by Milhaud.

"I'm excited about it," Douglass said. "It's an orchestral instrument that doesn't get much opportunity to solo."

Newton, a member of the symphony since 1996 and principal bassoonist since

1998, will perform the first movement of a Mozart concerto for bassoon. Newton said he likes the bassoon because what it lacks in volume it more than makes up for in tone.

"You can't play it very loud, but you can get a good sound out of it," Newton said. "It has a huge range."

Feinberg, an orchestra member and adjunct instructor at Albion College, will perform a tarantella for double bass, the biggest and deepest sounding stringed instrument, by Bottesini.

Feinberg said it will be only his fourth solo in 40 years on the double bass, and he is grateful for the opportunity

"For a double bass player

it's rare a person gets to do it once in a lifetime," Feinberg said. "I'm looking forward to it."

The "Stars of the JSO" concert, the third in the subscription series, is at 8 p.m. Saturday in Potter Center at Jackson Community College. Seats at the rear of the main floor and in the balcony are still available.

Tickets are $14, $22 and $25, and may be purchased at the JSO office, 215 W. Michigan Ave., or by calling 7824133 until 2 p.m. Friday. Tickets also can be purchased after 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Potter Center.