By Emily Miller

REXBURG — The historic Tabernacle Civic Center in Rexburg will be filled with tunes celebrating the American spirit as the Heritage Youth Symphony performs for the first time since its inception.

The concert is this Wednesday, November 15 at 7 p.m. at the Tabernacle at 51 North Center Street in Rexburg.

The symphony orchestra was formed earlier this year by retired Sugar-Salem orchestra teacher Jennifer Barrus, who set out to create an opportunity for young musicians in the area to gather and make music, learn from one another and find community.

“It has been joyful gathering this orchestra together,” Barrus says of the ensemble that includes young musicians aged 12-26. “Because there is a wide age range, natural leadership is emerging and sometimes in rehearsal the older players mentor the younger ones by playing their parts, helping them with rhythm, or by organizing their sections. There is an excitement in rehearsals as youth from St. Anthony, Sugar City, Rexburg, Rigby, as well as college students from Chicago, Illinois; Gilbert, Arizona; and Ladera Ranch, California join their amazing skills together to create music. It really is magical!”

Barrus says Wednesday’s performance will be “fast-moving and filled with variety and color.” The program was designed for families and music lovers of all ages. It will include patriotic tunes like “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee,” Americana classics “Shenandoah” and “The Ballad of Davy Crockett,” as well as a brass arrangement of “Simple Gifts.”

“Maybe the audience will be inspired by the legendary Americans the music represents,” Barrus says.

The orchestra will also debut a piece by local composer Wytemi called “Lanterns,” which features the orchestra with a children’s choir and a women’s ensemble.

The orchestra will take a break for the holidays after this performance, and will resume in January to start rehearsing for the next program called “Genesis.” She’d like to find more violinists, another oboist, one more French horn player and another bassoonist.

Tickets for the concert are $5 and can be purchased here or at the door. For information on joining the Heritage Youth Symphony, email Barrus at heritageyouthsymphony@gmail.com.