On Monday, I engaged in one of my favorite holiday traditions: seeing a live performance of Handel’s “Messiah.” No matter where I find myself around December, I seek out a performance and soak it up. In Cedar City it’s easy, because of the Orchestra of Southern Utah and the Southern Utah Chorale.
This year’s performance of “Messiah,” directed by Xun Sun and Kevin Baker, was phenomenal. At its worst, it provided a perfectly serviceable rendition of one of the most-recognizable pieces of music of all time. At its best, it transcended what anyone could expect from a semi-professional gathering of singers and musicians.
They are an interesting group of people to watch perform. Some look like they are pushing past their eighth decade of life, while others haven’t yet reached their second. Many of them are recognizable as people who populate the constant scenery of the area.
These are people you see at school, at government meetings, in the store or on the street.
Normal conversation with these people wouldn’t suggest they are part of something as magical and interesting as what happened at Monday’s performance. It’s like discovering the guy bagging your groceries is actually a wizard from Hogwarts. For me, the highlight of the evening came when soloist Taliah Byers sang the “Number 23” section — where Isaiah 53:3 is quoted: “He was despised and rejected of men: a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.”
I’ve seen dozens of soloists sing this portion. This is the first time I felt the singer was telling me a story rather than reciting a portion of the Bible. Byers not only sang the words, she looked as if she were telling the audience the concept that Jesus suffered for the first time and it broke her heart. Her rendition haunts me even as I write about it.
This year’s performance of “Messiah,” directed by Xun Sun and Kevin Baker, was phenomenal. At its worst, it provided a perfectly serviceable rendition of one of the most-recognizable pieces of music of all time. At its best, it transcended what anyone could expect from a semi-professional gathering of singers and musicians.
They are an interesting group of people to watch perform. Some look like they are pushing past their eighth decade of life, while others haven’t yet reached their second. Many of them are recognizable as people who populate the constant scenery of the area.
These are people you see at school, at government meetings, in the store or on the street.
Normal conversation with these people wouldn’t suggest they are part of something as magical and interesting as what happened at Monday’s performance. It’s like discovering the guy bagging your groceries is actually a wizard from Hogwarts. For me, the highlight of the evening came when soloist Taliah Byers sang the “Number 23” section — where Isaiah 53:3 is quoted: “He was despised and rejected of men: a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.”
I’ve seen dozens of soloists sing this portion. This is the first time I felt the singer was telling me a story rather than reciting a portion of the Bible. Byers not only sang the words, she looked as if she were telling the audience the concept that Jesus suffered for the first time and it broke her heart. Her rendition haunts me even as I write about it.
Of course the quality of Monday’s performance wasn’t surprising. I’ve often said the audiences in Southern Utah are quick to give standing ovations — but that’s because they’re accustomed to seeing a level of quality in the artistic offerings of the area that all but demand one.
It’s something to keep in mind this holiday season when every performance group is eager to share their talents with the general population.
I’ve talked with a number of people who like to categorize Iron County into separate sections, like a TV dinner. There is the agricultural community, the industrial community, the tourism community, the educational community and the art community, all competing for tax dollars and attention.
This isn’t the reality of the situation. Iron County is unique as it doesn’t have the one defining industry that other similarly sized areas have. After the mine closed, I think the area was scared away from that sort of social structure, creating what we now have.
It’s working because there are enough people willing to keep the separate groups that define the area in a universally beneficial ecosystem of sorts. It keeps the area viable when similar communities are following. It’s a tricky thing to keep balanced, though, and will fall apart if we stop supporting each other.
Take the opportunity this holiday season to support the local art scene. See a concert, buy paintings as gift or donate to a local group. It’s part of who we are.
by Josh Huntsman
High Country Beat (Daily News 12-14-12 Front Page)
It’s something to keep in mind this holiday season when every performance group is eager to share their talents with the general population.
I’ve talked with a number of people who like to categorize Iron County into separate sections, like a TV dinner. There is the agricultural community, the industrial community, the tourism community, the educational community and the art community, all competing for tax dollars and attention.
This isn’t the reality of the situation. Iron County is unique as it doesn’t have the one defining industry that other similarly sized areas have. After the mine closed, I think the area was scared away from that sort of social structure, creating what we now have.
It’s working because there are enough people willing to keep the separate groups that define the area in a universally beneficial ecosystem of sorts. It keeps the area viable when similar communities are following. It’s a tricky thing to keep balanced, though, and will fall apart if we stop supporting each other.
Take the opportunity this holiday season to support the local art scene. See a concert, buy paintings as gift or donate to a local group. It’s part of who we are.
by Josh Huntsman
High Country Beat (Daily News 12-14-12 Front Page)
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