Students in LV orchestras excited to be performing at The Smith Center

Before a single note is played, this evening's concert already qualifies as a memorable one for members of the Las Vegas Youth Orchestras.

That's because today's spring concert marks the orchestras' first performance in Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts.

The concert is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. and all four of the Las Vegas Youth Orchestras' ensembles are scheduled to perform in a program that continues the organization's season-long "A Season of Dances" series.

An additional percussion ensemble will perform, graduating seniors will be honored, and cellist and student concerto winner Katharine Smith will solo Camille Saint-Saens' Cello Concerto No. 1 in A Minor.

The Las Vegas Youth Orchestras offer valley student musicians in second through 12th grades the opportunity to hone their musical skills and gain performing experience.

Students, who audition for spots in the orchestras, play in four levels of orchestral groups, from string ensembles to full symphonic orchestras, said Bev Patton, the organization's executive director.

This season, about 325 student musicians who attend Las Vegas Valley schools are participating in the program, Patton said. For many, being part of the orchestras provides a level of music instruction that may not be available at their schools and helps to "engage them early in the arts."

Some of the Las Vegas Youth Orchestras' student musicians do choose to study music in college and pursue a career in performance or teaching, Patton noted, although "not all of the students who graduate from our program become music majors."

Whether playing in the Las Vegas Youth Orchestras is a stepping stone to a career in music, it's "very nice to have that on your college application, because youth orchestras are recognized nationally," Patton said. College admissions officers "know exactly the rigor it involves and exactly what type of responsibilities that are required of each child."

Kaden Carr, 16, a junior at Centennial High School, has been in the Las Vegas Youth Orchestras since his freshman year. He has played French horn since sixth grade and said being in the orchestras -- he currently is a member of the Las Vegas Youth Philharmonic -- allows him to "work with some of the best musicians in Las Vegas."

Carr does plan to pursue a career in music after he graduates.

"I love the instrument," he said. "I want to play in college. Ultimately, I would love to be a professor at a university or playing with a major symphony."

Ryan Tingle, 14 and a freshman at Green Valley High School, has been playing in the orchestras for three years and currently is a member of the Las Vegas Youth Sinfonia.

"I started playing cello in sixth grade in my school orchestra and kept going," he said, adding that playing cello is "my escape, you could say."

While Tingle isn't sure whether he'll pursue a career in music, he said, "even if I don't pursue this as a career, I think I'll still play when I'm older."

Patton said the orchestras' young musicians are "so jazzed" about playing in Reynolds Hall.

"It means a lot to them to be able to be there" and be part of the first nonprofessional group to play the recently opened concert hall, Patton said.

Tingle agrees. Playing Reynolds Hall is "definitely going to be different," he said. "I'm excited."

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