This Friday night the Castle Valley Youth Orchestra will perform on Price City’s Facebook page. This concert was originally planned for December, but due to restrictions put forth by the state was canceled. The program is set to last about an hour and will feature the full orchestra as well as members and students who will perform solos on both violin and piano.

One of the founders of the orchestra said that the group came out of a need for kids who wanted to play stringed instruments with no outlet to do so. Amy Nelson, along with Annaliese Clark and SeLinda Bryant all had children who played violin and cello and nowhere to perform. They approached the school board but because of budgetary constraints the district did not have the funding. They were told they were welcome to join the band program, but it is very difficult for orchestral instruments to work in school band setting.

In 2018 the three ladies decided to start the Castle Valley Youth Orchestra.”We have averaged between 15-20 members over the past few years, we also have a couple of adults that we help and sit in from time to time”, stated Nelson.

The Castle Valley Youth Orchestra began preparing for their Christmas concert in October of 2020, but when the state wide mandate came down in November it had to be put on hold. Fast forward to January this year when they started rehearsing and for the concert coming up this Friday night.

They will be performing one Christmas song, “Foom, Foom, Foom”, as well as three other selections. “Finlandia”, which you may recognize as “Be Still My Soul”. The selections “Silver Forrest” and “Gauntlet”, a rather challenging piece will round out the orchestra’s portion of the program. Members of the group and also some private students will then perform solos.

It’s going to be a great night of music Friday February 26 at 7 pm and you can tune in on Price City’s Facebook page.