The Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra (GNOYO) performs two local concerts this weekend that showcase “New Orleans Symphonic Dances,” the most recent original composition by New Orleans-born composer, performer, and music educator Mike Rihner.

Composed for GNOYO’s celebratory 20th anniversary tour through five east coast cities and culminating at Carnegie Hall, the piece is a lively, 15-minute symphonic work in several movements that depicts various musical celebrations, cultures, and traditions native to New Orleans.

This weekend’s shows (5 p.m. at Mandeville High School on June 20 and 2 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church on June 21) are the only opportunities to hear the piece in the New Orleans area. Both are free of charge, but donations to GNOYO are graciously accepted.

Rihner has been teaching in the music department at NOCCA since 1997. He has also taught music at Loyola University, Delgado College, and UNO. He has received awards and grants for both classical and jazz works, including the most recent “Battle of New Orleans” suite for the NOCCA Jazz Big Band.

He has released several CDs of original music, including the OffBeat-reviewed Rhino Electro-Acoustic Project, Purple, Green & Gold Blues, and his original jazz group “RHINO” has performed twice at the New Orleans Jazz Festival, among other local venues.