This Arkansas ward has a full orchestra—and they’re all youth

Eight cellists from the Sugar Creek Ward Youth Orchestra in Bella Vista, Arkansas.
Photograph courtesy of Brady Blake and Amy Bingham

Just before Christmas 2023, Bishop Brady Blake woke up with the thought that his ward needed an orchestra. Not just any orchestra, but an orchestra comprised of the talented ward youth.

Though not musically inclined himself, Bishop Blake’s inspired thought became a reality when ward members, including local middle school orchestra teacher Cami Austin, got on board. Together, they organized a group that has since become an integral part of both ward and community events and the youth’s testimonies.

“A Wealth of Musical Talent”

If there is one thing everyone agrees on in the Sugar Creek Ward, it is that the youth are not amateur musicians. Because of the “wealth of musical talent,” as Bishop Blake calls it, it just made sense to utilize it.

In the first year that the Sugar Creek Youth Orchestra, as they refer to it, was created, a total of 18 youth and two adult helpers donated their time and talents to practice and perform for their ward’s Christmas party and sacrament meeting.

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The Sugar Creek Youth Orchestra performs “Somewhere in My Memory”

Last year, that number was a little smaller, but the dedication of the youth was just as strong. Whether as a complete orchestra or in smaller groups, the youth of the Sugar Creek Ward have performed for events ranging from ward parties and temple open houses to a recent favorite—the local Bentonville Square Giving Machines.

The Sugar Creek Youth Orchestra performs in front of the Giving Machines in Bentonville, Arkansas, in December 2024.
Photograph courtesy of the Hess family

The positive energy that emanates from the group is something that up-and-coming youth look forward to being part of.

Thanks to strong music programs in the local K–12 schools, each member of the orchestra is a talented instrumentalist. And the ward orchestra has become just one more way the youth have been able to contribute their musical skills in their ward.

From playing prelude to leading sacrament meeting music, Bishop Blake explains, “We’ve tried to include the youth as much as possible because they’re so talented, and it gives them a chance to use their skills in a unique way.”

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Sharing those skills through the ward youth orchestra requires additional time and effort, but the youth are excited to be part of it. They find both faith and friendships in their extra practices and performances.

Sister Cami Austin conducts the Sugar Creek Youth Orchestra.
Photograph courtesy of Brady Blake and Amy Bingham

Sister Austin, who is a member of the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra and leads the youth both at church and at school, enjoys being able to start the ward orchestra practices with prayer. “The impact of music involvement is very real,” she shares. “Practicing and filling their homes with music and musical discipline is a blessing to them and their families. The impact ripples outward as they share their talents with the community.”

A Sibling String Quartet

Four of the talented Sugar Creek youth are the Hess children, who play violin and cello in the youth orchestra.

From left to right: Sarah, Mary Jane, Daniel, and Luke Hess
Photograph courtesy of the Hess family

Though having their children learn to play instruments wasn’t originally in David and Marianne Hess’s plans, Marianne says it was ultimately an inspired decision for the family. “As we prayed about the expense, we felt like there was a greater and grander purpose for the children playing,” she explains. “And we’ve already been able to begin to see that. Those sacrifices are made, and then Heavenly Father seems to make up the rest for us.”

David says the efforts of his children and their friends are bearing gospel fruit wherever they go: “All the teachers, all the students in that big high school know who the Latter-day Saint kids are because they’re so good, and they’re such good examples.”

For their 17-year-old violinist daughter, Sarah, orchestra is a place to build faith and friendships. “One thing that I love about orchestra is that no matter where you go, it builds camaraderie,” she says. “It’s my favorite place to be. And my other favorite place to be is at church. And so, combining those two together is just wonderful.”

Likewise, the family’s 15-year-old triplets, Daniel (cello), Luke (cello), and Mary Jane (violin), have found their testimonies growing stronger as they’ve bonded with each other and other ward members through their participation in the orchestra.

“One of the things I love about the ward orchestra is that we’re all happy to do it. We all want to do it,” Luke says.

From left to right: Luke Hess, Bethany Stewart, Ashley Fillmore, and Daniel Hess
Photograph courtesy of the Hess family

Daniel agrees with his brother: “When I play my cello with all the youth, I can’t not feel like I fit in with them.”

As for Mary Jane, the orchestra has strengthened her testimony that the Lord loves effort:

“Once I started the violin and I realized how much effort I had to put into it, I thought about how much effort people may put into their testimony and other daily things that I might have thought were easy. I now appreciate all of the work they’ve put into becoming better.”

A Musical Legacy

“With music, especially spiritual music, the Spirit is always present,” Bishop Blake shares. “And there’s always teaching that happens if people will slow down and just pay attention.”

As Sarah and other members of the orchestra graduate from high school over the next few years, there is no doubt that they will continue to inspire, teach, and share the Spirit they carry through playing their instruments, as will the new youth entering the orchestra.

“I often look back and ask myself why I was so blessed to connect with wonderful people and make beautiful music together,” Sister Austin says, reflecting in part on this unique experience of leading such talented, faithful youth. “I know that it is not by chance. These people were put in my path at specific times for a purpose. God is aware of our talents and our needs. He most definitely uses us as ‘instruments’ in His hands.”