By SALINA POST
LINDSBORG - A recently formed music ensemble has received a significant grant to help it with its mission.
The Chamber Orchestra of the Smoky Valley has received a $10,000 grant from the David Nutt Fund for Lindsborg.
The Chamber Orchestra of the Smoky Valley is an auditioned, regional ensemble of professional musicians that include Bethany College faculty members, as well as musicians from Salina, Hutchinson, and Wichita, according to information from Bethany College. The chamber orchestra is under the direction of Keith Dodson, assistant professor of music and director of instrumental studies, and led by Concertmaster Ann Samuelson, assistant professor of upper strings, both of Bethany College.
"While there are many symphonic orchestras in the central Kansas area, this ensemble is unique in terms of its smaller size, fostering a level of intimacy in their performance and venues and creating a different concert experience from the large halls of symphonic orchestras," the college noted in a news release.
Dodson noted that the chamber orchestra will have "another opportunity to share classical music with the Lindsborg and Salina/McPherson communities in large part due to the Nutt grant."
About the David Nutt Fund
According to information from Bethany College, the fund was "originally established as an endowment in 2004 to provide a resource to organizations serving the Lindsborg community and the invested endowment gift earnings allows for approximately $350,000 in annual grant distributions."
"Mr. Nutt first shared his support of Bethany in 1988 when he felt compelled to match a gift to Bethany after reading a Lindsborg News Record article about a gift the college had received to improve library facilities," the college noted. "Based on all the kindness shown to him as a child, Nutt desired to support any contribution that he knew his neighbors and former Bethany librarians Vendla (’14) and Elda (’14) Wahlin would support.
Upcoming performance
The Chamber Orchestra of the Smoky Valley is scheduled to perform at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Lindsborg Old Mill and Swedish Heritage Museum. Seats are limited and should be reserved, the college noted. Each concert is to have 25 preferred seats at $25 each and 50 general admission seats at no charge, according to information from the college.
Contact Anne Hassler Heidel at (785) 227-3380 ext. 8235 or by email at [email protected] to reserve tickets.