SNSO Concert Salutes Veterans

By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

Wonderful music filled the Mesquite Community Theater on Saturday evening, Nov. 12 pleasing the ears of the full house of attendees.

The Southern Nevada Symphony Orchestra (SNSO), led by Conductor Dr. Selmer Spitzer, presented a musical “Salute to Veterans” and their families in a grand concert.

Acting as “narrator” for the event was Greg Dutkowski who preceded each musical selection with a little history of each piece. Since this was a salute to Veterans, the music all had to do with military battles.

They included The Star-Spangled Banner, The Ukraine National Anthem, even Tchaikovsky composed 1812 Overture to commemorate the Russian defense against Napoleon’s Army.

All pieces were performed with the vim and vigor of a Selmer Spitzer production. A highlight was the orchestra’s execution of In-Chon, by Composer Robert W. Smith, in a dedication to his father, a veteran of both Korea and Vietnam. The piece captured, as said by Dutkowski, “the feel, the noise, emotions and maybe even the smells filling a Marine’s senses as he departs the safety of the ship and heads into harm’s way.”

For the enjoyment of all, Spitzer had one orchestra member creating sounds of the sea waves, and eight drummers strategically placed in the theater to represent the sounds of helicopters. It was a truly stirring experience.

The audience was also treated to the sounds of the trumpets by guest performers Larry Ransom, Joseph Durk and Gary Cordell from T.A.P.P.S., a non-profit organization that honors veterans by playing the anthem “Taps” live at veteran’s funerals.

The SNSO was established in 2014. The core of the Orchestra is 65+ members led by Selmer Spitzer. Their mission is to share their passion and dedication for music with everyone. They do that very well.

After the helicopters left the scene, the orchestra ended with a rousing John Philip Sousa march, entitled “The Washington Post.” Again being informed by Dutkowski the audience learned that the piece was created for an awards presentation by the Washington Post newspaper to Amateur Authors Association.

The house was packed with a happy audience. But the theater only holds 250 people, it was sold out. Mesquite needs a larger venue or the SNSO needs more performances to please more local music enthusiasts.