SNSO Packs House For “Tribute to Peace” Concert

By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

The Southern Nevada Symphony Orchestra (SNSO) packed the house at the Mesquite Community Theater on Saturday evening, April 22 for its latest concert entitled “Symphonic Tribute to Peace.”

The audience was eager to see and hear their friends and neighbors that make up the SNSO. The members of the 65-piece volunteer orchestra are eager to share their love of music and their musical talents with others. The members are mostly local, but some come from as far away as California and Montana.

Under the Direction of Selmer Spitzer, SNSO Musical Director and founder, the group has flourished and become a beloved part of the community since 2014. Packing the house at each performance attests to that.

The opening night audience listened intently to the music. Respectfully there was no chatter going on in the audience. But plenty of applause after each piece.

Jim and Dandi Knuth come to hear the group whenever they have a performance. Jim said his favorite this night, was the “Barber of Seville” while Cindi said she liked “Hear the people sing” from “Les Misérables.”

Concert narrator for the first time with the SNSO was Greg Dutkowski. He did a superb job.But then, community members are used to seeing Dutkowski volunteer his time and vocal talents as master of ceremonies for many community events such as the Mesquite Senior Games.
“I have never met a microphone I didn’t like,” Dutkowski joked.

During intermission one could hear a chorus of voices expressing their glee to one another and talking about which piece they liked the best.

“I became part of the orchestra by asking to sit in on a rehearsal playing the French Horn,” said local musician Deborah Stephenson. “But I brought my favorite instrument, an oboe, along too.”
She left the rehearsal as an oboe player for the orchestra.

The program featured two of the musicians.

First was Nona Miller, a violinist since the age of nine. She played with many symphony orchestras in her career. In 2006 a car accident stopped her from performing for a while. She has since worked her way back. Nona is happy to play in the SNSO under Dr. Selmer Spitzer who is a fellow North Dakota native. Miller said, her playing stamina isn’t up to its old level yet. She is still working on it.

The other featured musician is percussionist, Chuck Hanson. Chuck started playing at the age of twelve. In 1980’s he was part of the Thunderbird Band playing 50 & 60’ music. He joined the Southern Nevada Symphony Orchestra in 2014. Hanson is employed as a building inspector and is part of the local jazz ensemble “Dry Heat” as well.

Dr Selmer Spitzer, native of North Dakota has been active in music since age of six. He has an M.M. Ed from the College of Music in Chicago, and earned his Ph.D. in Administration and Music Education at Lawrence University in Sarasota. FL.

Spitzer has spent his life as a music teacher, band teacher, Instrumental Music Director in various schools and universities throughout the United States. He came to Mesquite with plenty of knowledge, experience and awards.

The SNSO hold its rehearsals at the Bunkerville Community Center. There are not many places large enough to accommodate them. They are dreaming of a new Performing Arts Facility in Mesquite that could hold an audience of 800-1000 people. The Mesquite Community Theater has only 250 seats. The orchestra is looking for donors to help with this project. For more information on how to help call Spitzer at 701-226-6062.