They've "pulled off" some extremely difficult pieces in the concerts they've performed so far, he said.

The group of about 40 musicians is now preparing for a major Irish concert to coincide with St. Patrick's Day. The concert features music from Ireland and Irish composers.

Clarinetist Kay Mendenhall, a retired schoolteacher, was looking for an opportunity to play the instrument he took up at age 11.

"This was a good one," he said.

Matt Sorensen (no relation to Carolyn Sorensen) played his string bass in the Utah Valley Symphony, but that meant driving several miles north to rehearsals in Provo from his Spanish Fork home. He saw an ad in a local newspaper for musicians and applied.

"I love it," he said, "especially in this end of the valley."

"This is a great way for adult musicians to keep playing," said French horn player Emily Gunderson.

If you go

What: Nebo Philharmonic Orchestra "Emerald Isle"

Where and when: 7:32 p.m. Spanish Fork Middle School, 50 N. 900 East, March 16; 2:32 p.m. Payson Junior High School, 851 W. 450 South, March 17

Cost: $5/$3 children, $15/family

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E-mail: rodger@desnews.com