Love of music unites all-volunteer Henderson Symphony Orchestra

A pleasantly discordant melody fills the Del Sol High School band room as musicians ready their instruments.

A violin tweaked to perfect order by a woman sitting on the floor. A tuba honking out notes in an adjacent courtyard. Even the clanging of metal-legged chairs being unstacked adds to the vibe of an impending something.

It's a Tuesday night rehearsal of the Henderson Symphony Orchestra, an all-volunteer ensemble of teachers, students, lawyers, retirees, homemakers and, really, anybody else who possesses a love of classical music and the talent and dedication to bring it to life.

The orchestra was founded 25 years ago as the Henderson Civic Symphony with not quite a half-dozen musicians. This season, the orchestra -- the rechristening came in 2006 -- is celebrating its silver anniversary with a corps of about 65 musicians, a schedule of nine concerts and a repertoire that's often ambitious, sometimes challenging and always eclectic.

At 8 p.m. Friday , the orchestra will present its second concert of the 2011-2012 season at the Henderson Pavilion, 200 S. Green Valley Parkway. The program will include Bohuslav Martinu's "Memorial to Lidice," Franz Liszt's Piano Concerto No. 2 and Jean Sibelius' Symphony No. 1. The guest artist will be conductor Mykola Suk, associate professor in keyboard studies in the music department at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

A pre-concert discussion with Taras Krysa, the orchestra's conductor and music director, will be held one hour before the concert, and a silent auction will begin at 7 p.m.

During rehearsal, an animated Krysa cajoles what he seeks out of the players, sounding at times like Jerry Lewis doing a musical bit ("No, no, one more bar; da DA blum ba blum blum ...").

"Some things are obvious, some things are not obvious, and some things are weird as written," he tells players during a particularly tricky passage.

This is Krysa's fifth year with the Henderson Symphony Orchestra. His day job is assistant professor and director of orchestras at UNLV.

How did he land the Henderson Symphony Orchestra gig? The simple explanation: There was an opening, he applied, he got it.

The more metaphorical explanation: "Well, I just jumped on the train and I didn't even think about it," Krysa says, laughing. "But I think it's a wonderful experience, a wonderful group."

In fact, consider it a tribute to the musicians of the Henderson Symphony Orchestra that Krysa approaches his work with them pretty much the same way as he does with musicians at UNLV.

"At the end of the day, I don't see a big difference," he explains. "It's about the music and it's about them.

"The most important point, I think, for any team, whether it's an orchestra or a classroom or a business, is morale, and if morale is fine ... the results will always (exceed) the expectations."

Why would a musician devote so much time and energy to a job that involves so much hard work and no actual pay? "It's just passion," answers Molly Murphy, oboist and the orchestra's executive director.

Many of the ensemble's musicians have been playing music since they were young and "still have that passion," Murphy says. So, for many, playing with the Henderson Symphony Orchestra offers "a release from your day-to-day job."

"I enjoy playing. I love music," says violinist Will Ranney, 25, who works in construction.

This is his third year with the orchestra, and Ranney says playing classical music is "the polar opposite" of his job for those times "when I want to do something different."

Tuba player Jon Kercher has been a member of the symphony since 2007. Formerly a professional -- that is, a paid -- musician, he now works as a waiter at Piero's restaurant, where, he says, "they're nice enough to let me out once in a while to come to these rehearsals."

"We just enjoy each other's company," Kercher says. "I love classical music, so it's a pleasure to be around people who show the same interest."

Violinist Carol Johnson -- "I'm a second fiddle," she jokes -- joined the orchestra in 1991, although she had played with the ensemble several times before that.

Johnson, 76, is a retired Boulder City music and English teacher and band and orchestra director. For Johnson, the best part of being in the orchestra is just "being part of the ensemble."

"It's just the people getting together and playing," she explains. "People have done that for centuries."

Principal flutist Clare Birmingham, 27, is in her second season as a full-time orchestra member after having served as a substitute for about three years before that.

Birmingham teaches flute and, at the moment, has put her aspirations for a full-time performing career on hold to raise her daughter.

"I really enjoy having an opportunity to play in this group," she says. "It makes me feel I can stay involved in the music scene.

"I just don't know how to explain it, other than (that) I love it. It's so fulfilling for me, and this is what I would like to make my profession. I'm hoping that, somewhere down the road, I can find a position where I actually make a paycheck."

Until then, playing with the symphony is "a great way for me to keep on my toes and keep me disciplined," Birmingham says.

Principal violist Jennifer Hellewell, 26, is in her fifth season with the orchestra. She also teaches viola and violin and says performing with the orchestra complements her teaching.

"You can't not perform and still be a good teacher," she explains. "You've got to keep your skills up."

Murphy says the Henderson Symphony Orchestra's longevity also is owed, in large measure, to the city of Henderson's support in the form of grants, donated venues and donated technical support.

Most of the orchestra's concerts are presented at no charge, Murphy notes (although $10 donations are welcomed).

However, it seems that such largesse goes both ways. Hellewell loves it that the orchestra's concerts are free and family-friendly and that the venues in which the orchestra plays are not intimidating for newcomers to classical music.

For Hellewell, donating her time and talent to the orchestra is, "in a way, kind of what I consider my community service. I have something to offer the community, and I'm going to give it to them."

Contact reporter John Przybys at jprzybys@review journal.com or 702-383-0280.