This past Saturday the Merrick Arts Council returned for another exciting season and in doing so they provided a special show for many who turned out to take in the talents of the Hastings Symphony Orchestra.

The performance entertained and also featured a pair of local faces as Central City Public Schools educators, Micah Hesterman and Alex Steinke both performed with the Hastings Symphony Orchestra (HSO) on Saturday. The beauty of the performance and the facility left many very excited.

“The Hastings Symphony Orchestra concert was really awesome,” says Merrick Arts Council President Suzanne Philippi. “It was so nice to hear the rich sound of an orchestra in that facility. Nancy McGinnis kind of summed it up....Willa (Freelend) and the Lock’s would have been so pleased to hear something of this caliber in the Performing Arts Center! Comments from our audience members were very complimentary. I was pleased that the orchestra played such a nice variety of music, ranging from Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony to music from the movie Frozen. And they began and ended with patriotic arrangements. Our next concert is Sunday, October 23 with the Concordia University’s Handbell Choir, also featuring local handbell choirs. Season tickets are always still available by contacting us via email: macatthpac@gmail.com” The HSO performed under the direction of Dr. Byron W. Jensen. Dr. Jensen brings nearly thirty-eight years of experience to the podium as an educator, conductor, performer, and administrator. His responsibilities with the HSO include developing programs, ordering and distributing music, selecting guest soloists and music, fielding and rehearsing the orchestra, assisting with procuring grants, informing the Board of the orchestra’s progress, developing a vision for the HSO, promoting the organization, and submitting musician pay. Responsibilities at Hastings College include teaching and recruiting students to the strings studio, teaching courses in music history and music education, and conducting the Hastings College Handbell Choir. He also conducts both the Chancel Choir and Bell Choir at the First Presbyterian Church in Hastings.

Now in their 97th year, the HSO has become one of the most respected orchestras in the area and each year they put on multiple shows. After leaving Central City the group held a special performance on Sunday in recognition of the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.