By CATHERINE ELLERTON
Moapa Valley Progress
Their mission is to “share our compassion and dedication for music with everyone.”
The Southern Nevada Symphony Orchestra realized the fulfillment of that Mission Statement when it presented its inaugural concert on Saturday, November 22 at the Mesquite Community Theatre.
A new beginning was heralded by the community as they filled the auditorium. A roving violinist, Barry Bowers, greeted the audience members with music as they entered the Reception Area. Many came ‘dressed to the nines’ for a chance to win the “Best Dressed Couple” award. Our own Moapa Valley couple, Robin and Garren Fulmer took the honors.
Moapa Valley’s musicians were also well recognized as members of the orchestra. Gaye Nelson, who presides over several local musical groups, is the Assistant Conductor for the So. Nevada Symphony Orchestra (SNSO). As such, she skillfully took the helm to lead Beethoven’s “Egmont Overture.” This number, like the rest in the program, was an arrangement.
The ambitious program also included the popular “Bugler’s Holiday” by LeRoy Anderson; Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man,” the “1812 Overture (Op. 49) by Tchaikovsky and “Hymn to Joy” by Beethoven which was rearranged for full orchestra by local harpist, Brent Pettit.
The Director/Conductor is Dr. Selmer Spitzer who hails from North Dakota. He has organized string ensembles and full orchestras in high schools and universities and decided to come out of retirement in Bunkerville to build this new orchestra in this part of Southern Nevada.
Future concerts will be January 24, 2015, and March 7, 2015, at the Virgin Valley High School Auditorium and April 11, 2015, at the Mesquite Community Theatre.
It will be interesting to watch this new orchestra grow and develop into the promise it so richly deserves. I look forward to hearing it in a larger venue.
