Special guest stars also included the Rosin Cello Duo (RCD) consisting of Daniel Gaisford who has established himself as one of the most expressive cellists performing today and Jessika Soli. Soli runs a private cello studio in Santa Clara, UT. Photo by Teri Nehrenz

Special guest stars also included the Rosin Cello Duo (RCD) consisting of Daniel Gaisford who has established himself as one of the most expressive cellists performing today and Jessika Soli. Soli runs a private cello studio in Santa Clara, UT. Photo by Teri Nehrenz

The Southern Nevada Symphony Orchestra (SNSO) opened its fourth season in all their ‘American Grandeur’. The orchestra played to a nearly full house at the CasaBlanca Showroom on Nov. 5.

The concert, led by Dr. Selmer Spitzer was a mixture of patriotic, light and stirring instrumental bliss with the added benefit of a special vocal solo by Brian Wursten who performed ‘The Impossible Dream’ from ‘Man of La Mancha’.

As if he isn’t busy enough running golf courses, running for City Council, being a Bishop for his church, being married since 1981, raising four children and now having fun with the grand ones, Wursten is also an accomplished vocalist and has been performing since the age of four.

Daniel Gaisford Photo by Teri Nehrenz

Daniel Gaisford Photo by Teri Nehrenz

Bruce Wursten, Brian’s father, was an Opera singer who performed all over the United States and Europe. Father and son have performed for many venues around Mesquite for events such as Christmas concerts, Virgin Valley Theatre Group musicals, church functions, Veterans and Memorial Day ceremonies among many others. The elder Wursten passed away in May of this year but his son continues to make him proud with his outstanding vocal talent.

Jessika Soli  Photo by Teri Nehrenz

Jessika Soli Photo by Teri Nehrenz

Special guest stars also included the Rosin Cello Duo (RCD) consisting of Daniel Gaisford who has established himself as one of the most expressive cellists performing today and Jessika Soli. Soli runs a private cello studio in Santa Clara, UT.  As expressive as promised, the duo performed Vivaldi’s ‘Double Cello Concerto in g minor’ to the delight of the crowd.  The duo has performed in excess of 20 concerts since their beginning in 2015.  The RCD is scheduled to release their first album within the month. The RCD is now onto Baraboo, WI where they will begin their Christmas tour.

Some other highlights from the concert included ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ by Francis Scott Key, Robert Sheldon’s ‘Sound Innovations Fanfare’, ‘Academic Festival Overture’ by Johannes Brahms, Tchaikovsky’s ‘Symphony #5 (Finale)’, ‘Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, ‘Irish Tune from Country Derry’ by Perey A. Grainger and last but not least John Phillip Sousa’s ‘Stars and Stripes Forever.’

The SNSO has scheduled their next concert at the CasaBlanca on Feb. 18, 2017. The final concert of the 2016-17 season is scheduled for the same venue on Apr. 8, 2017.

For more information on the SNSO please write SNSO PO Box 7444 Bunkerville, NV 89007.