Staying In Tune with OSU...
Thursday, October 10, 2024
Friday, October 4, 2024
Childrens Jubilee for all ages, including babies, with Spooky Spectacular on Oct. 12
Spooky Spectacular for Children's Jubilee on Oct. 12
by Sara Penny
A "Spooky Spectacular" is set for Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Heritage Theatre, 105 N. 100 East. The Children's Jubilee brings the fun of a Musical Spook Alley and activities from 12 noon to 1:50 p.m. with a special family concert with the full Orchestra of Southern Utah at 2 p.m. for all ages, including babies. FREE tickets available at myosu.org thanks to sponsors "Possibilities ABA" https://www.abapossibilities.
Carylee Zwang will direct the concert with favorite Halloween pieces like In the Hall of the Mountain King, Night on Bald Mountain, Ride of the Valkyries, and Danse Macabre. OSU Composer in Residence Jacob Lee has arranged the Stranger Things theme for this special concert. Exciting and fun music for the spooky season.
The audience is invited to wear costumes to add to the festivities. "The Jubilees have provided a memorable family afternoons since 2004 and received national recognition," said Harold Shirley, OSU President. "This is a wonderful way to introduce children to the excitement of live music with our orchestra."
Shellee Younkin, OSU Education Director, led several assemblies at schools with the help of OSU musicians to alert the community to this special event. Thanks to Arts Fusion for letting the orchestra team use their percussion instruments for the school assemblies.
In addition to the child friendly Musical Spook Alley there will be stage makeup and mask making activities, as well as exploring the art of sound effects with instruments and household objects directed by Wendy Sanders, OSU Board Member. Plan on a photo booth with costume pieces. The Cedar City Arts Council will also provide activities from 12 noon to the concert at 1:50 p.m. There is a play area for toddlers and there will be an instrument demonstration table for the children to explore.
Non-perishable food donations are welcome for the HOPE Pantry. This is part of the Orchestra League effort "Orchestras Feeding America" through the League of American Orchestras.
Join your orchestra on Oct. 12 for a fun afternoon of spooky music and activities. Remember to get your FREE tickets in advance at myosu.org. Preview the music at https://osulistening.
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For Calendars:
Who: Orchestra of Southern Utah
What: Spooky Spectacular Children's Jubilee
When: Saturday, Oct. 12, activities from 12 noon to 1:50 with a special family concert at 2 p.m. for all ages
Where: Heritage Center, 105 N. 100 East in Cedar City
Why: Introduce children to the excitement and fun of live orchestra music
How: FREE tickets at myosu.org. OSU musicians, staff and volunteers create a memorable afternoon for all ages
More information: Amy Gold, 435-233-8185 or
(Poster design by Rollan Fell)
Haunting Resonance Concert opens season on Thursday, Oct. 10
Haunting Resonance on Thursday with the Orchestra of Southern Utah
by Sara Penny
Eerie and scary music will make a memorable concert experience on Thursday, Oct. 10, at 7:30 p.m. in the Heritage Theatre. The Orchestra of Southern Utah presents some of the great Halloween themed classics in a "Haunting Resonance" concert. Tickets at myosu.org
Carylee Zwang will direct the concert that includes soundtrack music from Psycho as well as a new look at the Stranger Things theme arranged by Jacob Lee, OSU composer in residence. Concertmaster Heather Wilhelm has to tune her violin differently from the rest of the orchestra for the Danse Macabre solo. This Saint-Saëns piece conjures an ancient dance of death.
Isle of the Dead by Rachmaninoff was inspired by a foreboding painting of a solitary boat approaching a mist covered mountainous island. The 5/8 meter sends the listener on a voyage of melodic trepidation. Night on Bald Mountain is a raucous celebration that breaks with the dawn by Mussorgsky.
In the Hall of the Mountain King by Grieg conjures a troll king starting with a slow pace and accelerating to an exciting pinnacle. Ride of the Valkyries by Wagner is one of the most famous operatic pieces. The brass section battlecries of the sisters of Brünnhilde represent taking fallen heroes to Valhalla.
Listening links to preview the music are at https://osulistening.
Concert sponsors are the RAP (Recreation, Arts, and Parks) Fund, Utah Arts and Museum funded by the Utah Legislature, and the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation. "We appreciate this support so we can keep the ticket prices at a lower level," said Amy Gold, OSU Manager. "A similar concert in a city would be much more expensive. We also appreciate our musicians for their dedication and service. They make the music possible."
Lobby music before the concert features Tanisa Crosby on flute and April Richardson on clarinet. These OSU musicians have played for many community events.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students. Children over six are welcome with an adult. No babies please, as the concert will be recorded. Tickets at myosu.org.
Join the Orchestra of Southern Utah for this season opening concert of unforgettable music.
For Calendars:
Who: Orchestra of Southern Utah
What: Haunting Resonance Concert
When: Thursday, Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Heritage Center, 105 N. 100 East in Cedar City
Why: To share some of the great symphonic music with our area
How: Tickets at myosu.org. $15 adults, $10 students over six, no babies please as concerts are recorded.
More information: Amy Gold, 435-233-8185 or
(poster design by Rollan Fell)
Thursday, October 3, 2024
"Unforgettable" Season Starts in October 2024
Unforgettable Season for the Orchestra of Southern Utah
by Sara Penny
Starting with a "Spooky Spectacular" and ending with "Immortal Melodies" the Orchestra of Southern Utah (OSU) presents a season of unforgettable music. Season tickets are now available at myosu.org. The season ticket assures you of a seat at the popular Handel's "Messiah" performance, if purchased before November, as well as a reserved seat for "Rock Gold Volume 2". Concerts are at the Heritage Theater, 105 N. 100 East in Cedar City.
On October 10, several iconic Halloween themed pieces, like "Night on Bald Mountain" and "Danse Macabre", are set for the "Haunting Resonance" concert at 7:30 p.m. From Wagner to Rachmaninoff, the program will be a memorable night of symphonic music.
The Children's Jubilee will be a "Spooky Spectacular" with a musical spook alley and activities like stage makeup starting at 12 noon on Oct. 12. The concert at 2 p.m. is designed for families and this year is FREE, thanks to support from the RAP (Recreation, Arts, and Parks) Fund through Cedar City. All ages are welcome, including babies. Several school assemblies will be held in conjunction with the Jubilee featuring OSU musicians.
"Rock Gold Volume 2" on Nov. 14 features favorites from ABBA, Queen, Bon Jovi, and more. Seats will be reserved for this concert due to the popular appeal so you will want to get your tickets in advance.
Handel's "Messiah" is a seasonal favorite and is free thanks to sponsorship from State Bank of Southern Utah and the Leavitt Group. A community chorale and soloists join with the orchestra to bring this masterpiece to you. There will be performances on both Dec. 8 and 9.
On Feb. 20 the OSU presents "Immortal Melodies" including the "Moldau" by Smetana and exciting "Polovtsian Dances" by Borodin. The OSU has a commitment to share the great orchestra repertoire with the community.
The final season concert on April 17 celebrates young soloists with the orchestra for the "Roy L. Halversen Young Artists' Concert" as well as the exuberant Rimsky-Korsakov's "Russian Easter Overture". The soloists are chosen through a fall audition process.
Season tickets are $55 for adults and $35 for students. Individual evening concert tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students. Go to myosu.org for ticket purchases. No children under six or babies for the evening concerts please, as these concerts are recorded. Recordings are available on the website and selective past performances are posted on the OSUCedarCity YouTube channel.
Many thanks to the sponsors who help us keep the ticket prices affordable and to the musicians who make it possible to offer live symphony orchestra music. Check for updates on our Facebook and Instagram pages. "It is an exciting musical year and we hope you will join us," said Harold Shirley, OSU President
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for more information: OSU Manager: Amy Gold, 435-233-8185
Jacob Lee Appointed Composer in Residence
Newly Appointed Composer in Residence for the Orchestra of Southern Utah
By Amy Gold
In addition to OSU commissions, Lee has also been commissioned to write music for the Utah Opera, Delgani String Quartet, and Estelí Gomez (of the Grammy-winning ensemble, Roomful of Teeth). He is currently working on a piece for In Jubilo and a flute solo for Sophia Kerr. He also arranges music and is doing several arrangements for Alternate Currents, a popular SUU music ensemble.
He will have his original chamber opera, "The Dunwich Horror" performed at a date to be determined in October.
Lee is also an accomplished performer with performances with the Utah Shakespeare Festival, Apollo’s Army, and Enoch Rising. His degrees are from SUU and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is in the process of completing his PhD in music composition from the University of Oregon. He currently teaches as an adjunct music professor at Southern Utah University.
“We are excited to have this exciting young composer joining the Orchestra of Southern Utah,” said Harold Shirley, OSU President.
Previous Composers in Residence included Keith Bradshaw and Hal Campbell. Both composed several pieces for the OSU during their service. Several of their pieces are available on the OSU YouTube channel, as well as Lee’s Casey Jones Overture and Polynesian Rhapsody.
More information and tickets available at www.myosu.org.
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More information: Amy Gold 435-233-8185
Jacob Lee and famly with Xun Sun at a 2016 performance on the premier of his "Polynesian Rhapsody"
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
New Leadership for Orchestra of Southern Utah
New Leadership Team Set for Orchestra of Southern Utah
by Sara Penny
Cedar City: The Orchestra of Southern Utah welcomes new administrative leadership this season. Amy Gold serves as the new manager with Lisa Cox handling ticketing and other duties. Shellee Younkin is directing the educational services such as assemblies as well as helping with grants. “We are thankful to Rebekah Hughes for six years as manager and we wish her well in her new adventures,” said Board President Harold Shirley. "We are excited about the energy and forward thinking of the new leadership team."
In addition, Staci Carson has joined the Board of Directors. She is currently the Associate Vice President for University Advancement at SUU and has considerable experience in higher education administration and fundraising at institutions across the country. Harold Shirley serves as Board President with Leah Brown as Secretary, and Diane Shirley as Treasurer. Other Board members include Tyler Melling, Wendy Sanders, Rollan Fell, Brooke MacNaughtan, Suzanne Tegland, Bryan Jackson, Ben Bradshaw, and Sara Penny.
Season tickets for the upcoming season are now available at myosu.org. Season tickets are currently $45 for adults and will rise to $55 soon. The season ticket includes a guaranteed seat for Handel's "Messiah".
Amy Gold has been associated with the Orchestra of Southern Utah since 2017, performing in our violin section. She previously served as OSU Business Manager and Education Director. Her career has spanned many facets of the musical field. She was the assistant director of the Ko’olauloa Children’s Chorus traveling to New York and Italy as well as the violinist in the Southwind Celtic Ensemble. She taught five years of public school music before moving to Utah. She is currently the Administrative Director of Suzuki Strings Cedar City, as well as working full-time in the Business Office of the Utah Shakespeare Festival. Her degrees are from BYU-Hawaii and SUU.
Lisa Cox is the resident stage manager at the Heritage Center Theater and has served as the stage manager for The Orchestra of Southern Utah for the last 10 years. She has been involved with several local theatre organizations: Parowan Community Theater, where she served on the board for several years and had the opportunities to direct and stage manage; Cedar Valley Community Theatre where she has acted as both assistant stage manager and stage manager; and Women of Will as a stage manager. She is currently enrolled at SUU earning a BS in Technical Theatre with a minor in English.
Shellee Younkin holds a BA in Theatre Arts with a minor in Dance from The Ohio State University. She is currently attending SUU seeking a Master’s Degree in Arts Administration. She has teacher training certificates and is also a trained vocalist. She has worked closely with adults, youth and children as a yoga and dance teacher as well as a choreographer and performing artists.
The Orchestra of Southern Utah season rehearsals are starting again on August 15 with the first concert on October 10. For more information contact myosumanager@gmail.com or call Amy Gold at 435-233-8185.
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More information: OSU Manager: Amy Gold, 435-233-8185
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| Amy Gold |
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| Shellee Younkin |
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| Lisa Cox |
Thursday, May 30, 2024
Thanks to Everyone Who Participated in the Rockin' 80s Soirée
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| 8EEZ Band provided music for the Soirée |
Several people got to sing with the band and the costumes were fun.
More photos thanks to Lindsey Curtis Photography at https://lindseymcurtisphotography.pixieset.com/osufundraiser/
Rocking Party for the OSU Soiréeby Sara PennySinging with a rock band was one of the highlights of the Orchestra of Southern Utah "Rockin' 80s Soirée" on May 15 at the Heritage Center lobby. Several of the guests had the opportunity to sing with the 8EEZ Band. There was also a silent auction, yummy food by Al A Chelle catering, photo booth, and dancing. "We are thrilled to report that we raised $4500 for the orchestra after expenses," said Amy Gold, OSU Manager."We wanted to have a fun party for our patrons and muscians to celebrate the season and to set the stage for the Volume Two of Rock Gold next November with the full symphony orchestra," said Carylee Zwang, OSU Music Director. "It was particularly fun to see the amazing costumes including David Bowie and several rock goddesses". OSU musicians and their families plus Board members helped with the setup, operations, and cleanup. "It takes a big team to pull off this kind of event and we appreciated all the help," said Zwang.Matt and Torri Adams won the costume contest with costumes from the 1986 Labyrinth movie. Tony and Cheryl Walser had glam hair and costumes plus a guitar. Many additional guests rocked great 80s looks.The Heritage Center lobby was transformed with 80's decorations including giant slinkies and lots of balloons by Jenifer Terry and her team. The Silent Auction included art, food baskets, quilts, jewelry, and an 80s set of vintage movies from Groovacious. "We so appreciate all of the donors who share treasures with our patrons," said Amy Gold, OSU Manager. "Whittlesticks was able to rehair a vintage Violin-Uke bow, Lynn Barlow repurposed a beautiful silver and turquoise bracelet, and Crystal Van Duren made a lovely French silk pie even though she expects a new baby within days.""Many thanks to everyone who participated in the Soirée," said Harold Shirley, OSU President. "It takes a lot of community support to have a full symphony orchestra offering concerts and we appreciate everyone involved."Season tickets are now available at myosu.org. Classics and popular music are planned with a fun family Jubilee in October. The Orchestra of Southern Utah is a community orchestra of professionals and dedicated amateurs. Videos are available on the OSUCedarCity Youtube channel and updates are under News on the website.
A few more photos from the OSU musicians:
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| Thanks to Ala Chelle for the party food. |
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%20with%20her%20mother%20Terry%20Kenney.jpg)
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| Getting ready earlier in the day. |
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