The Heartland Orchestra, which was formed August 15, is set to have its first concert Sunday, October 6, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Purcell.

Trinity’s Music Director Dr. Zachary Daniels saw a need for the orchestra here to give musicians an artistic outlet closer to home.

Dr. Daniels is a professor of music theory at Oklahoma City University and has been serving as music director at Trinity since February.

The newly formed orchestra holds rehearsals at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday nights. New musicians are currently being sought to  join the orchestra.

The idea sprang up last Easter when Dr. Daniels wrote a Cantata for the Trinity choir. He had to contact a small area orchestra and it gave him the idea.

“We really wanted to serve a need in the community and I knew several musicians who wanted to service the need for the community,” he said.

Anyone wishing to join the orchestra may contact Dr. Daniels at 417-425-0489 or contact Trinity United Methodist Church.

For their maiden performance the orchestra will be performing music from the Haydn Symphony, a piece by Gustav Holst and a piece by Johann Sebastian Bach, the Brandenburg Concertos and a world premier specially written by Dr. Daniels for the orchestra to commemorate the occasion.

“It’s going to be a really fun concert to introduce ourselves to the community,” Dr. Daniels said. “It should be no more than an hour long.”