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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4th Grade's Lucia
December 9, 2023
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.
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First and Second Holiday Concert
December 14, 2023
The first and second holiday concert will be at the A. J. Steinberg Auditorium, located at SVMS.
Kindergarten Music Program
March 30, 2024
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 25, 2024
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.
2023-2024 School Year
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Oct. 12 3rd/4th Ensemble Sing for Hyllningsfest Worship Service at BLC
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Oct. 13 Sing for Hyllningsfest Opening Ceremony at 1:20, then dance.
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Oct. 14 Dance after Hyllningsfest Parade
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Dec. 6 4th Grade Lucia Caroling
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Dec. 8 4th Grade Lucia Caroling at Soderstrom
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Dec. 9 Santa Lucia Festival and downtown dancing and processional with LSFD at 10:15
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Dec. 9 Traditional 4th Grade Lucia Performance at BLC at 11:30 AM
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Dec. 9 Small Group Lucia Performance with LSFD at 3PM
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Dec. 14 1st/2nd Holiday Concert at the SVMS/SVHS AJ Steinberg Auditorium at 7PM
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Dec. 15 Soderstrom School Wide Sing Along
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March 30 Kindergarten Program at 7PM at SES
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April 25 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!
About Mrs. Nelson
I have been teaching for 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.
