Left, Henderson Symphony Orchestra drummer John Nasshan plays Aug. 28 during a rehearsal at Greenspun Middle School. The orchestra will perform its first concert of the season on Sunday. Below, conductor Taras Krysa, top center, leads the rehearsalPHOTOS BY LOUIE TRAUB/VIEW
Left, Henderson Symphony Orchestra drummer John Nasshan plays Aug. 28 during a rehearsal at Greenspun Middle School. The orchestra will perform its first concert of the season on Sunday. Below, conductor Taras Krysa, top center, leads the rehearsalPHOTOS BY LOUIE TRAUB/VIEW
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More than 20 years ago, Frank Irvin, the orchestra teacher at Basic High School, started a civic symphony in Henderson. Only four people showed up to the first rehearsal in 1987. Now, as the renamed Henderson Symphony Orchestra begins its 21 season, there are 75 members.
Two current members date back to those earliest rehearsals. Sheila Sovocool, a Henderson resident, was one of the violinists at the first rehearsal, and Eleanor Beckert, a cellist from Boulder City, joined at the third rehearsal.
Sovocool said she remembers sitting on the floor of the band room office pouring over music catalogs, trying to figure out what to play with the few instruments they had, according to a history she published on the orchestra's Web site.
The orchestra meets once a week for rehearsal and will perform eight concerts for the 2007-08 season.
"It's really unique for a community orchestra to have such a full schedule," said Molly Murphy, the orchestra manager and principal oboist.
The all-volunteer orchestra works with the Henderson Parks and Recreation Cultural Arts Department. For years, the city sponsored the group and provided a budget to put on concerts. In 2005, the orchestra became an independent organization.
Henderson Orchestra concerts are always free, but the nonprofit group does accept donations. Money can be contributed at performances or by sending a check to Nevada Community Foundation, Attn: Henderson Symphony Orchestra, 300 S. Fourth St., Suite 1009, Las Vegas, NV 89101.
"We want to bring music and culture to the community," Murphy said.
The orchestra has performed all over the valley but now does most of its concerts at the Pavilion at Liberty Point, 200 S. Green Valley Parkway.
The group holds auditions for new members every summer, but it also will do a small round of auditions in January to fill any open spots.
Murphy said members come from all walks of life. She said she is a professional musician who has been playing since junior high school. She works at Schofield Middle School in the orchestra department.
"I enjoy working with kids," she said. "They're just so excited and they learn so rapidly at this age."
Murphy said she heard the orchestra was looking for an oboist and auditioned about seven years ago.
Members suggest music they want to play, but music director and conductor Taras Krysa makes the final program decision, Murphy said.
The orchestra also presents a lecture an hour before each concert to discuss the history of the music. Viola player David Green presents the pre-concert discussions.
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