"Music does bring people together,” John Denver said. “It allows us to experience the same emotions. People everywhere are the same in heart and spirit. No matter what language we speak, what color we are, the form of our politics or the expression of our love and our faith, music proves: We are the same.”
Stephen Rice
I love music. It’s good for the soul, and it’s good for the community. It’s not constrained by party affiliation, social or economic status, age or race. There are enough issues in the world that divide us; music has the power to overcome. It brings people together. That’s why I am so passionate about the work the Henderson Symphony Orchestra does for Southern Nevada.
As one of only two symphony orchestras in the United States that offer a full season of free concerts to the community, the Henderson Symphony Orchestra allows unrestricted access to classical music. We believe that music is for everyone and that the ground behind the conductor is always level.
Founded in 1986, the Henderson Symphony Orchestra began with two violinists, one drummer and one flautist. The musicians rented out a school rehearsal hall and met weekly to enjoy the art of making music. That has grown to 80 members, almost all of whom volunteer their time to participate in community concerts and special events. These volunteer artists and professional guests entertain and inspire us through challenging musical styles and genres. In addition to offering 11 free public performances each season, the Henderson Symphony Orchestra is committed to educating Southern Nevada’s youth about classical music through its Music 4Kids program. The program, which serves public school K-12 students, provides an immersive classical music experience for participants. Students can interact with orchestral instruments and the musicians who play them, conduct and choose the endings to pieces performed. Offered every spring, the free program aims to break down barriers and expand the horizons of Southern Nevada’s youth.
The Henderson Symphony Orchestra also focuses on the musicians of tomorrow through its Young Artists Competition. The competition spotlights emerging talent in Southern Nevada and offers a professional concert experience for those who participate. Unlike many musical competitions that require musicians to perform a preselected piece, the young musicians in this contest are free to choose their own solo pieces to perform. This allows the young artists to discover and nurture their individual style, personality and creativity.
Since the closure of the Henderson Pavilion, the Henderson Symphony Orchestra has been in search of a home. We’re grateful to the school theaters, rec centers and outdoor spaces that have welcomed us for concerts, but we believe the City of Henderson and its 300,000-plus residents deserve a dedicated performance space for the arts, including music, theater, classes and programming for young people. There are opportunities on the horizon, and we’re very hopeful the arts might soon have a home in our city.
The arts are an important part of life. They encourage creativity and expression and sharing, and they encourage community. The Henderson Symphony Orchestra has a long history in Southern Nevada and a bright future ahead.
Stephen Rice is on the board of directors for the Henderson Symphony Orchestra.
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This story appeared in Las Vegas Weekly.