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Our History In the summer of 2003, violin teachers Jenny Jackson and Terilyn Taylor decided to create an organization for young LDS musicians to build their testimonies and serve others through music. Jeremy Woolstenhulme, a cellist and director at Hyde Park Middle School, joined forces with Sister Jackson and Sister Taylor to organize a small string orchestra. They performed three concerts that first season, and provided music at the annual fireside for workers at the Las Vegas Temple. Elder Richard G. Scott was the featured speaker at the fireside. After hearing the new orchestra perform, he sought out Sisters Jackson and Taylor to encourage them to keep to keep the group going, emphasizing that "the youth of Las Vegas, and the community of Las Vegas, need this group." Heartened by Elder Scott's support, the three musicians expanded their string orchestra to include woodwinds, brass, and percussion, creating a symphonic orchestra. In its second season, the symphony performed a number of concerts with stake youth choirs throughout the city. After the Christmas concert of 2004, it became clear that the next step in the development of this growing organization was the addition of a permanent choir. DeNae Handy, an experienced music teacher and choir director, was invited to organize and direct the choir, and the Las Vegas Mormon Youth Symphony & Chorus was born. Almost immediately, the group was invited to perform at the dedication of a new visitor's center at the Mormon Fort, celebrating its sesquicentennial. Since that time, the chorus has grown from thirty-five to seventy voices, and the orchestra features more than fifty talented young musicians. In the
symphony and chorus’ first full season, their concerts and
performances included participation in the LDS Music Festival, stake
firesides, and major concerts at Christmas and in the spring.
The spring concert featured guest cellist Julie Bevan, a professor
at BYU and a member of “The Orchestra at Temple Square.” The
symphony and chorus also were invited to premier a number of
original works by LDS composers. The 2005-06 season culminated
in July with a concert tour through Utah, marking a successful end
to an exciting and edifying year. |