​The public was invited to attend a special performance of the Heber Valley Choir and Orchestra (HVCO) alongside the students of JR Smith Elementary as they celebrated, “Music In Our Schools” month on Tuesday, March 28, at 6:30 pm.
Over the past several months, elementary students throughout the district had been learning, “The Carnival of the Animals” by Camille Saint-Saens, and on March 28th the HVCO performed the piece for the children. The Carnival of the Animals is a fun, whimsical piece that features many different sections of the orchestra. The students and the audience enjoyed the Saint-Saens playful melodies.
Additionally, a choir of twenty 4th graders also got to perform with the choir and orchestra during the concert.
“This special event is the first of its kind in the Heber Valley. We’re excited to be able to help these children learn the joy of music,” said Darin Prince, Choir President.
"Music in Our Schools” is a nationwide effort started by the National Association for Music Education to inspire school-aged children to participate in music through singing or by learning a new instrument. HVCO hopes that combining their efforts with the school district will help these children develop an appreciation for music.
“It is well documented that learning to sing, play, or having music in a child’s life leads to better performance in school, improved behavior and strong teamwork skills,” said Stacey Eaton, Orchestra President.
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​-Dallin Koecher

​Join the Heber Valley Choir and Orchestra for a night of American Folk Music. This free concert is open to the public and will feature Rob Sorenson on Millionaire’s Hoedown, Dvorak’s ‘American Suite’, & An American Rhapsody by Richard Meyer. Choral numbers include 'Hark I Hear the Harps Eternal', Turkey in the Straw, Stephen Foster Tribute, The Freedom Train, and From Sea to Shining Sea.
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Join us at the Midway Town Hall on Monday, November 14. Bring the whole family.
(Additionally, our concert will be hosting a food drive for the local Heber Valley Food Bank. Please consider bringing a non-perishable food item to donate at the concert.)

-Martin Chatterly

​On Thursday, October 27, 2016 the Heber Valley Orchestra performed with renowned Country Western singer Michael Martin Murphey at this year’s Heber Valley Western Music and Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
The 40-piece orchestra performed along sing Murphey as he sang some of his most well know songs, such as What’s Forever For, Streets of Laredo and Wildfire, to a crowd of 1,100.
Murphey-who has been coming to the Gathering for several years-told the sold-out crowd how great he thought it was to “have a home grown” orchestra performing at the gathering. Ted Caldwell, director of the Gatherings, agreed with Murphey when after the show he told the orchestra that this performance was one of the best.
“It’s as best we’ve ever had perform with Michael Martin Murphey,” said Caldwell.
The opportunity to debut at the gathering was has been a year in the making. Mary Kelly, one of the Gathering’s organizers, has many responsibilities at the Gathering one of the most daunting is lining up the entertainers. When Murphey said he wanted to come back and do a symphony show, Kelly turned to the Heber Valley Orchestra.
“It was a little bit of leap of faith when we asked the orchestra, because we hadn’t heard them play yet,” said Kelly.
Once given the green light, the orchestra knew this was a chance not to pass up.
“The orchestra did such an amazing job. We are so glad to have such talented local musicians,” said Kelly.
"The opportunity to play for our home community for an event like Heber Valley Cowboy Poetry was something we’ve been waiting for,” said Stacey Eaton, violinist and orchestra board member.
According to Eaton the orchestra is a relatively young group. They are going on their third season of performing in the Heber Valley, so when they were asked to play with Murphey at Cowboy Poetry they were a little taken aback.
"Cowboy Poetry draws in people from all over our community, state and country. This was big for our orchestra,” said Eaton.
Playing for the Gathering is an important step in the growth and success of the orchestra, but more importantly than the exposure for the Heber Valley group was the chance to help the audience connect to the emotions and memories the music brought back.
"They just love this music. Music has a powerful way of connecting audiences through generations, and I think that happened tonight,” said orchestra conductor Heather Thaxton of the evening.
Heber Valley Choir and Orchestra is a made up of some 40 vocalists and musicians who enjoy playing and honing their craft. They hope to inspire the community and their audience as well as promote performing arts in the Heber Valley.
For more information about the Heber Valley Choir and Orchestra and to find out more about upcoming performances visit hvchoirandorchestra.com.

​-Dallin Koecher in the "Wasatch Wave"

Along with our Spring Concert, Heber Valley Choir and Orchestra will be performing backup music for the upcoming Alex Boye concert. Alex is a famous pop/gospel singer and actor "with an African twist". He has performed with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He was on also "America's Got Talent", and has 200 million total YouTube views.

​-Jen Stockett
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​So maybe you haven’t sung publicly in a while, but you sure sound good singing in the shower.  Or maybe you are a little rusty on your cello but you wish a venue existed where you could play for fun.  Once upon a time, all of us living in the Heber Valley wished someone would begin a choir and orchestra that fulfilled and enriched our lives.  Well, wait no longer because Heber Valley Choir and Orchestra (HVCO) has been thriving in the valley for over a year now and we would love for you to join.  Here are five reasons why you should.
1.  You NEED HVCO in your life.  Consider it similar to wondering whether you should go to a party or not.  Part of you always thinks it’s better just to stay at home in your pajamas watching Netflix but once you get there you end up having a really great time and you can’t even remember why you were so reluctant to go. We assure you that once you come to the first practice, you will love it!  As you play your instrument or sing, you will remember why you enjoy it so much and it will become therapy for you.
2. You will improve on your instrument – whether voice or music.  There’s nothing worse than being stagnant at something and nothing better than some personal progress.  After going over a certain musical phrase 10, 15, or 20 times you will finally get it right and it will make you ridiculously happy, for example, when you remember to play the F# there and sing that syncopated rhythm right.
3.  You need a break.  Between your work, school or family responsibilities you need time to recharge.  They say you can’t draw water from a dry well so come to practice and you will be guaranteed to fill that well.
4.  You will meet new people and become part of a group of music enthusiasts. Meeting new people who live in this beautiful valley might be my favorite reason I go to orchestra.  It’s such a treat to befriend new people who have similar interests from you.  Their enthusiasm for playing in HVCO will be contagious and you will learn from them as they learn from you.
5.  Your brain needs this.  Apparently new research shows that regularly playing an instrument can raise your IQ by seven points in children and adults and it even changes the shape and power of your brain!  Other research shows that music can also increase your memory, teach you perserverance, and enhance your coordination.  Basically you can’t afford not be a part of HVCO.
As Confucius said, “Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.”  We hope you join us in this edifying pursuit of pleasure.  For more questions on how to join, contact us here on the website.