Wednesday, October 22, 2014

American Composers on the Stage






































After traveling around the world with our community and high school choirs, the Orchestra of Southern Utah brings us back home.  OSU performs “American Composers Without Borders,” on Thursday, November 13, at 7:30 pm in the Heritage Theater as the second concert of the season celebrating Pieces of Peace. Each number has a unique aspect for lifting spirits and bringing joy. Join us as we listen to these uplifting pieces from George Gershwin to Marshall McDonald and Steven Sharp Nelson. 
Adam Lambert and Carylee Zwang, our assistant conductors, are showcased with two entertaining pieces by Leroy Anderson. Lambert, and our trumpet section, perform Bugler’s Holiday. Albeit, technically challenging, this classical-pops piece is sure to get your foot tapping. Zwang solos on an unconventional percussive instrument, a typewriter! This will have you wishing you were the orchestra’s secretary while listening to The Typewriter!
We introduce new composers Chad Cannon and Mark Dal Porto with music that washes over you with pure sounds and blended chords. Chaconne for After a Storm by Cannon and Song of Eternity by Dal Porto explore the tonal range of the orchestra under the direction of Xun Sun, OSU Music Director and Conductor.
Through the eyes of Marshall McDonald and Steven Sharp Nelson, OSU performs the sounds of Africa with the help of Enterprise High School’s Concert Choir.  The World Premiere with OSU from 2009 has inspired many around the globe. We’ve even sold our recording in Sweden! You will dance to the drums and be swept across the Sahara with the beautiful harmonies and bold melodies of Africa!  Marshall McDonald continues to compose and perform in Salt Lake City and Steven Sharp Nelson is the cellist in the internationally popular Piano Guys.

The night will end with the talents of 14 year-old Sarah Sun as she tickles the ivories with the famous Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin. From the trill of the clarinet to the last cymbal crash, the musical story captivates its audience with jazz-like orchestration. She received top honors in her age category in the Salt Lake Piano Competition this summer.

“American Composers Without Borders” will be performed Thursday, November 13, at 7:30 pm in the Heritage.  Doors open at 6:45 with lobby music by pianist Harry Taylor. Tickets may be purchased for $10 for adults, $5 for students (ages six and up), $30 for groups of six. Tickets are available at the Cedar City Heritage Center Box Office by calling 435-233-8213 or online at http://www.heritagectr.org/. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended. Children over the age of six are welcome at all the concerts with adult supervision.  OSU requests that babies and children less than six years old not attend as evening concerts are recorded.
The major sponsor for the concert is Melinda Wagner in memory of her father Orien Dalley, who was born in Summit, taught at SUU, and went on to a distinguished career at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor as well as being instrumental in the establishment of the Interlochen Center for the Arts.
For more information, please visit www.orchestraofsouthernutah.org or call the Orchestra of Southern Utah at (435) 233-8213.

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