Dr. Selmer Spitzer, conductor of the Las Vegas Summerlin Symphony, is a native of North Dakota. He has been active in music since age six playing piano and singing in the country church choir. He played tuba in high school then switched to clarinet as a music education major at Lakeland University, Sheboygan, WI. He attended Vandercook College of Music, Chicago, IL, and received his M.M.Ed, and then continued at the University of Sarasota, Sarasota, FL, where he earned his PhD in Administration and Music Education.

Dr. Spitzer studied under such well known musicians as Arranger, Forest Bucktel; Percussionist, Haskel Harr, and Clarinetist and Composer, Edgar P. Thiessen.

He taught in high schools in Williston, ND; Spearfish, SD; Hanford, CA; accepted a position of Instrumental Music Director at Victor Valley College, Victorville, CA, as department chairman, conductor of bands and the High Desert Symphony Orchestra. 

After retiring he returned to North Dakota as Director of Instrumental Music at the University of Jamestown, Jamestown, ND, retired a second time and accepted an interim position as an

associate professor, directing the Dickinson State University Wind Ensemble and Marching Band. Dr. Spitzer has organized string ensembles, and full orchestras in high schools and universities. He is credited for organizing high school honor groups in North Dakota, South Dakota and California including the North Dakota Intercollegiate Honor Band. His passion continues to be conducting instrumental ensembles.

Dr. Spitzer is proud of the fact that the students at the University of Jamestown honored him with the Professor of the Year Award in 2005; and the state of North Dakota honored him with the North Dakota Band Directors Association Distinguished Service Award for the year of 2008.

He has been extremely blessed by his God and thankful for what influence God has had on his life.

Dr. Spitzer has been married to his lovely wife, Phyllis, for 64 years. They have three wonderful children, seven grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren.