The Nebo Philharmonic Orchestra and Payson Civic Chorale performed together in a joint concert at Payson High School on Feb. 25.
The music groups collaborate every other year to perform a free night of classical music for the public.
Part of the orchestra's purpose is to make live classical music more accessible to musicians and members of the community, Wendy Elizabeth Jay, the orchestra's board president, said.
"We are all here as volunteers, for fun, because it's our creative outlet, social life — all of those put together," Jay said.
The orchestra and chorale give locals the opportunity to continue making music outside of a strictly professional setting.
"We're hoping to make sure that everybody ... whether or not they played 20 years ago, if they just graduated high school, if they have to dust off an instrument, borrow an instrument, or if they are a retired band director or army band person — everyone is welcome in this group," Jay said.
Participating in the orchestra has allowed McKay Peterson, a bassist and student at Utah State University, to fulfill his purpose and connect with others, he said.
"I feel like it's really nice for other people because I get to perform and give these people the opportunity to hear these sounds, and I want to continue doing that more in the future with other instruments as well," Peterson said.
David Dahlquist, the chorale's director, announced his retirement during the concert. He conducted the choir for over 30 years.
"It's been a joyous, marvelous journey," Dahlquist said.
Paul Daniel Wells, director of the Nebo Philharmonic Orchestra, is the conductor for several local youth orchestras. He hopes that seeing civilian music groups will inspire young people to continue making music after high school, he said.
"Far too many of them just stop as soon as (they graduate)," Wells said. "They think, 'I'm not going to be a performer, I'm not going to be a music major, so I'll never play again,' and I wanted them to be able to see there are opportunities to be an amateur musician."
Members of the orchestra expressed that getting communities to participate in the arts is important. They hope to get more Utah County locals involved in their rehearsals and concerts.
"We really do represent the communities that we're a part of," Wells said. "I don't know if there are a lot of communities that have active civic chorales and community orchestras where they get together and do collaborative concerts like this."
Community music-making also allows musicians to explore art and emotion together, Jay said.
"That's one of the things that's lovely abut community-level musicianship — everybody's welcome and we all get to express ourselves through music," Jay said.
To learn about upcoming performances or get involved, visit nebophil.org or paysonchorale.org.