Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society

Dr. Douglas Peterson has an enthusiasm and love for great choral music unparalleled in Southern Nevada. As an expression of this passion, he has been at the helm of the Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society (SNMAS) for nearly half a century. In a quote by Hal Weller, “the Society has brought exemplary performances of choral music (often with full orchestra) to all corners and peoples of the Las Vegas Valley with a dedication and zeal that has garnered a measure of acclaim to a city not largely known for high culture.”

Celebrating his ninetieth birthday last month, Dr. Peterson received praise from Eugene Kohn: “As Music Director for Plácido Domingo’s concerts for over thirty years now, I have worked with hundreds of choruses all over the world. But it was only in the last seven years, since I have been conducting for Andrea Bocelli as well, that I had the pleasure of collaborating with Dr. Doug Peterson, during our annual concerts in Las Vegas. Dr. Peterson is a powerhouse of energy, combined with total dedication to his art, to the world of sound colors and expression to tone. His attention to detail of intonation and diction are well known. During our rehearsals his patience and kindness has been an example to me, and during performances Maestro Bocelli and I have frequently been impressed with the work and dedicated results he elicits from his singers. Ninety years is not an excessive age for conductors, and both Andrea Bocelli and I wish we could celebrate with you, but we’ll settle for looking forward to seeing all of you fine singers, and our dear Dr. Peterson, on our next visit!”

Throughout his 48-year tenure as SNMAS music director, Peterson has volunteered his considerable time and effort to producing great choral masterworks and performances of Broadway, folksongs, and spirituals at CSN and UNLV. This dedication speaks volumes about his Community Service to the Arts and recognition of his achievements has not gone unnoticed. Nevada Arts Advocates’ gave him a “Legend Award” in 2013 “for his long-standing dedication and contribution to the arts;” During its 50th Anniversary, SNMAS honored him “in appreciation of his 45 years of excellence in musical artistry and leadership” and the Nevada Music Educators Association gave him the “Steve Maytan Service to Music Education Award.” Bank of America awarded him its “Local Hero Award” in 2006; Nevada Governor Richard Bryan acknowledged his contribution to the Arts in 1987 as did Governor Gibbons in 2007; the L.V. Chamber of Commerce gave him its top Community Achievement Award in Arts and Entertainment in 1998.

Doug’s passion for great choral masterworks extended into his parallel choral universe as choral director at UNLV, where he taught for 36 years. He was one of three individuals who began the Music Department at Nevada Southern University in 1967. The program boasted choral-orchestra performances of great masterworks including the American premiere of "African Sanctus" by English composer, David Fanshawe. The program under Dr. Peterson’s direction was well represented by performances at prestigious music educator conventions in Utah, Arizona, California, and Nevada.

Douglas Peterson studied with many of the great choral conductors of his day, including Robert Shaw, and Helmuth Rilling, both guest conductors of the Las Vegas Musical Arts Workshop in 1975. Orchestra conducting workshops lured Doug to Norway, Scotland, Austria, France, Czechoslovakia, the Ukraine, and back to his alma mater, the University of Iowa for summer studies.

Peterson says his truly mountaintop experience came when he conducted the 29-voice Musical Arts Singers in "Dixit Dominus" by Handel in the Mormon Tabernacle at the American Choral Directors Association National Convention in 1985. He says he has been blessed by being able to perform so many of the world’s great works in Las Vegas with the wonderful singers of SNMAS. Performances include, "The Mass in B Minor" by Bach; "A German Requiem" by Brahms; "The Verdi Requiem," all of the Haydn Masses; Mendelssohn’s "Elijah;" Honegger’s "King David" and "The Mass in f minor" by Bruckner. As a beginning music teacher at a Consolidated School (K-12) in Norway, Iowa, Doug says he could never have imagined performing these massive works he had seen Robert Shaw, Helmuth Rilling and others conduct. Nor could he ever have imagined someday performing a great Catholic masterwork just a mile or so away from the Las Vegas Strip …or performing with Andrea Bocelli at the MGM Grand.

Upon his arrival in 1983 at the Association of Professional Ensembles Workshop, Doug was greeted by Gregg Smith as “that Shepherd in the Desert.” Today he continues as that Shepherd, bringing great choral-orchestra masterworks to a thirsty audience.