Home Grown Orchestra Wows at Cowboy Poetry

​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"