The Mohave Community Orchestra was organized by Peggy Mabry in 1995. A call for players was published and the first rehearsal was on August 22, 1995. Our ‘Premier’ performance was at Palo Cristi School on December 12, 1995. On January 27, 1996, the “inaugural” performance was given at the Kingman High School Auditorium.

Peggy conducted the orchestra until she moved from the area in 2003. Art Swanson has been the principle conductor from 2003 to present. Several members of the orchestra have also conducted, including Tom Boone and Margaret Wilson.

The orchestra usually performs three concerts each season. Our annual Holiday concert in December is performed with the Mohave Community Choir and has included selections from the Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” Suite and Handel’s “The Messiah” among holiday favorites. Our winter performance is usually a chamber concert featuring our string, brass and wood wind sections.

Our repertoire is varied. Besides the standard Orchestral catalogue of Symphonies, concertos, etc. we include marches, waltzes, pop tunes, jazz standards, movie and Broadway selections, and more. A usual program may include compositions by Aaron Copland, Johannes Brahms, John Philip Souza, John Williams, Richard Rodgers and Dave Brubeck.

Performances are usually held at the Kingman High School North Campus auditorium but we have also performed at Lee Williams High School, local churches and parks.

Among the many contributions in support of the arts in Kingman the orchestra provides scholarship to students to further their musical education.

The orchestra recently celebrated its twentieth anniversary with a performance that included Peggy Mabry as guest conductor. As the orchestra continues to grow, it will continue to provide entertaining orchestral music to the citizens of Kingman and Mohave County.