Soderstrom Music
with Mrs. Nelson
"The life of the arts, far from being an interruption, a distraction, in the life of a nation, is close to the center of a nation’s purpose -- and is a test of the quality of a nation’s civilization."
- John F. Kennedy
Committed to Smoky Valley Excellence
About Us!
Welcome to the Soderstrom Music page. We are proud to be a part of the long standing musical tradition in the Smoky Valley Schools in Lindsborg and the surrounding communities. We are very strong in tradition, both musical and cultural (Swedish). As you explore our website, you will see that the students learn about general music in hopes of feeding into our strong orchestral, band, and vocal programs; but they also have many unique performances - like Hyllningsfest and St. Lucia.
HUGE HONORS!
2019-2020
During 2019 and 2020, Lindsborg celebrated their 150th. With this came lots of performing, including the opportunity to premiere a new town song, Kära Lindsborg, by Mike and Rose Marie Wallen. In the above picture, a small group of Soderstrom 3rd & 4th graders, along with some SVMS 5th graders, are standing on the stairs in the capitol. The two pictures above it, are 2020 Fourth graders performing in Wichita at KMEA. We were honored to have the opportunity to premiere the new town song, perform at the capitol and at KMEA.
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Hyllningsfest
Oct. 16-18, 2025
Svensk Hyllningsfest, Swedish Honoring Fall Festival, falls on odd numbered years. Those are very busy years for the boys and girls.
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Oct. 16 This is the district wide downtown rehearsal during the day. In the evening, the third and fourth graders that volunteer to sing at the Hyllningsfest worship service, perform at the Bethany Lutheran Church.
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Oct. 17 Soderstrom students 1st-4th sing for the Opening Ceremony and then follow with the dancing. Each grade performs three Swedish (or Scandinavian) folk dances.
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Oct. 18 After the Hyllningsfest parade, the 1st-4th graders once again dance on the circle.
4th Grade's Lucia
December 13, 2025
The second week of December has always been a very special week for the Soderstrom fourth graders. They bring cookies to school for children's treat bags and Bethany Home's platters, carol to Bethany Home, have a St. Lucia assembly at school, and perform for the community Lucia celebration on Saturday. ​​​​​
First and Second Holiday Concert
December 18, 2025
The first and second holiday concert will be at the A. J. Steinberg Auditorium, located at SVMS.
Kindergarten Music Program
Feb. 12, 2025
The Kindergarten concert is a fun program to help them get used to the idea of performing. We usually have a theme. The program will be in the Soderstrom gym.
Third and Fourth Spring Concert
April 23, 2026
The third and fourth graders will have a formal choir and orchestra concert at the AJ Steinberg Auditorium at SVMS.
S.E.S. 4th Grade Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia was the bringer of light and hope to the Swedish people. Lindsborg’s Lucia Festival is always the second weekend in December. The fourth graders have the honor of performing for this special event. They vote on a Lucia and Starboy to represent their classmates. The fourth graders take cookies and carol to Bethany Home and Assisted Living.  At the Soderstrom assembly, they give cookies to the boys and girls, tell about the Lucia legend, and sing Swedish carols. On Saturday, they perform at the Bethany Lutheran Church for the community celebration.
Hyllningsfest
Svensk Hyllningsfest takes place every other year in Lindsborg. The festival honors the Swedish heritage of the community. The Smoky Valley School District plays an important part in this tradition that began in 1941. The SVHS and SVMS bands and strings play in the parade. The first through eighth grades participate in singing for the Opening Ceremony and in the Swedish folk dancing on Main Street. This is a big event for the Soderstrom and Smoky Valley Middle School students, as they spend a great amount of time preparing costumes and practicing dances.
2025-2026 School Year
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Oct. 16 District Wide Downtown Hfest Rehearsal
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Oct. 16. Hyllningsfest Worship Service at 7PM
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Oct. 17 Hyllningsfest Opening Ceremony and Dancing
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Oct. 18 Hyllningsfest Dancing after the parade
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Dec. 8 4th Grade Lucia Caroling
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Dec. 12 4th Grade Lucia Assembly at Soderstrom at 2:30
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Dec. 13 Santa Lucia Festival and downtown dancing and processional with LSFD at 10:15
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Dec. 13 Traditional 4th Grade Lucia Performance at BLC at 11:30 AM
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Dec. 13 Small Group Lucia Performance with LSFD at 3PM
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Dec. 18 1st/2nd Holiday Concert at the SVMS/SVHS AJ Steinberg Auditorium at 7PM
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Dec. 19 Soderstrom School Wide Sing Along
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Feb. 12 Kindergarten Program at 7PM at SES
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April 23 3rd/4th Spring Concert at 7PM at SVMS/SVHS AJ Steinberg Auditorium
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General Music
In class, the boys and girls work hard for their numerous performances, but they also learn how to appreciate and become musicians.  We play a variety of instruments, work on our terms through games and a word wall, try to guess the mystery composer, dance, move, create and sing!  What fun!
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About Mrs. Nelson
I have been teaching for over 30 years, most of which have been in Lindsborg. I have a supportive husband and two very busy boys. I love teaching in a variety of ways in my classroom. How wonderful to dance, move, create, drum, sing, and play a variety of instruments to all types of music. Nothing is more exciting than to see the light turn on when a student finally makes a connection, or to see the students shine when all the hard work pays off for a wonderful performance. I love watching them beam!
Besides my bachelors, I also have a masters and my Orff Level 1. I currently serve on the Kansas Orff Chapter board, and am involved in MENC, KMEA, and AOSA. In 2015, I received the KMEA South Central Elementary Music Teacher of the Year award and in 2016, I was added to the Baker University's Education Wall of Honor. Most recently, I was stunned when presented with the Smoky Valley's Impact Teacher of the Year 2021-2022. With this honor came the SV nomination for Kansas Teacher of the Year in 2022-2023. I have been blessed to teach at Smoky Valley, where we have such a rich history of the arts.
