r The Sunday Concert Series is featuring the Nebo Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Sherrie Dunford, on Sunday, March 17, at 4:30 p.m. in the Grand Gallery of the Springville Museum of Art. This concert is free to the public and is family and sabbath friendly.
The Nebo Philharmonic Orchestra was organized in 2006. Carolyn Sorensen approached the Spanish Fork Arts Council with the idea, asked Benjamin Winkler to conduct, and worked together with him to recruit members. The orchestra debuted at the Spanish Fork Harvest Moon Hurrah on October 7, performing patriotic selections including “The Stars and Stripes Forever.” This was followed in November by a premiere concert, “Off to the Hunt!”, with performances in Spanish Fork and Payson.
In 2013, the orchestra became an independent nonprofit, expanding its mission to serve the communities throughout the region, including Springville, Spanish Fork, Salem, and Payson. Laurisa Christofferson began conducting in 2014, and Sherrie Dunford took over in 2016. Under their artistic leadership, the orchestra has continued to grow and develop. It still performs annually at the Harvest Moon Hurrah, and has added new traditions like the Salem Pond Christmas Lighting and children’s concerts at the Springville Library.
They have collaborated with many local groups over the years, including the Payson Civic Chorale, Spanish Fork Chorale, Pleasant Grove Orchestra, Utah Philharmonic Orchestra, Utah Valley Handbell Ringers, and high school groups from Spanish Fork and Salem Hills.
Because Easter falls on the third Sunday in April this year, the Sunday Concert Series will be held on April 28. Swede Larson will perform classical guitar. Swede holds a Masters degree in Humanities with a focus in Philosophical reasoning and has a great ability to connect to his students, particularly from diverse cultural backgrounds. He is working toward a PhD in Cognitive Psychology with an emphasis in instruction and is fantastic at coaching his students to achieving their personal musical goals. He has an energetic and outgoing personality with an easy vibe and is exceptionally skilled with the guitar. He particularly loves performing classical guitar and has written, produced, and recorded a number of incredible albums.
