Southern Nevada Symphony Orchestra is getting ready to present “The Desert in Bloom” at the CasaBlanca Showroom on Saturday, April 23. This will be the second season for the SNSO and as they continue to grow, more and more local talent has been added to the orchestra.

When the SNSO first put out the word of their development and their search for participants, the response was outstanding with more than 50 people expressing an interest.

Their first rehearsal was held on Oct. 17, 2014. They held their first concert on Nov. 22, 2014, at the Mesquite Community Theatre, which they quickly outgrew considering the number of people who sought tickets to the performances. The first concert included about 50 members. Now the symphony has more than 60 members, several of them much younger than one would expect.

Selmer Spitzer, director and founder of the SNSO, is always on the lookout for new blood and doesn’t mind including those who have exceptional musical talents, even if they are much younger than most orchestra participants. Lizzbeth Martinez plays the viola and is the first seventh grader to join. Alex Snow plays the cello and is the first sixth grade student to join the SNSO. Both attend Hughes Middle School.

Snow joined the Southern Nevada Symphony Orchestra a little over a week ago.

“I am so excited to be playing with great professionals like Dr. Spitzer and feel very proud that they are having me play by their side,” Snow said. “I play cello and my goal is to be a professional musician. Being able to play harder music and have great people to look up to is the best I could ask for. The symphony has a lot of nice, fun and supportive people. They don’t treat me like I am not good enough. Actually they help give me tips if I need them.”

Said Spitzer, “Yes, we have some younger players in the orchestra, but only accept them into the orchestra if they are able to contribute to the sound and quality of the orchestra. I don’t pay too much time in knowing what grade level they are in, but that they are a talented contributing member.”

Don’t miss “The Desert in Bloom” and the beautiful music both young and older members of the SNSO will be performing on Saturday, April 23, at 7 p.m. For ticket information please visit www.casablancaresort.com.