Walter White, left, and Assistant Conductor Gaye Nelson, take a bow after a nearly 20 minute solo performance at the Southern Nevada Symphony Orchestra’s first show of 2016 “In The Winter Storm” at the CasaBlanca Showroom on Feb. 20. Photo by Stephanie Frehner.

Walter White, left, and Assistant Conductor Gaye Nelson, take a bow after a nearly 20 minute solo performance at the Southern Nevada Symphony Orchestra’s first show of 2016 “In The Winter Storm” at the CasaBlanca Showroom on Feb. 20. Photo by Stephanie Frehner.

When the Southern Nevada Symphony Orchestra (SNSO) was formed in 2014, many speculated whether or not it would draw enough audience members to support it. Just a year and a half later, Conductor Dr. Selmer Spitzer is seeing just what he knew all along: that Mesquite loves quality entertainment.

Their first performance was in November of 2014 at the Mesquite Community Theatre with a sold-out crowd. They moved their performance to the Virgin Valley High School Auditorium which accommodated more seating but the acoustics weren’t as kind.

Now that they have been performing at the CasaBlanca showroom for several shows, they must once again decide what to do about their sold-out shows and ensure that everyone gets a chance to see their hard work come to fruition.

“We have talked about several ideas,” Spitzer told the MLN. “Not only is the audience full, but we’re pretty full on stage, too.”

The SNSO has grown to over 60 members now, ranging from middle school students to retired musicians. All of them come together because of their love of music. And it’s not just musicians from Mesquite. The SNSO has participants from Moapa Valley as well, including a Swiss exchange student, Milena Amhof, who was featured by the MLN in October 2015.

As with most performances, the SNSO plays for a purpose. Last Saturday was no exception, as they dedicated their night to those who lost everything from homes to family this past winter with the harsh weather that many parts of the world experienced.

It was a very moving performance, as they tend to be, and it was sad to know that not everyone who wanted to watch the SNSO perform could. However, the problem may have been solved.

The SNSO has scheduled a second performance of “In The Winter Storm” at Moapa Valley High School, 2400 St. Joseph St. Overton, NV on Friday, March 11 starting at 7 p.m.

Tickets will be available on Feb. 26 at both Danielle’s Chocolates, 1155 W Pioneer Blvd. Suite 102, in Mesquite or Moapa Valley Progress, 2885 N. Moapa Valley Blvd, in Overton for just $15.

Their next program will be the Spring Concert at the CasaBlanca Showroom on Saturday, April 23 at 7 p.m.