Youthful Legacy Concert April 6

(poster design by Rollan Fell)

OSU Halversen Soloist to Perform 

in Carnegie Hall

By Emily Hepworth

A hushed anticipation hangs in the air as the lights dim over the audience and the lights brighten the stage. For four young musicians, hearts race as they wait in the wings for their turn. After years of lessons, practice, and a special audition, these youths perform with the Orchestra of Southern Utah. The excitement is almost tangible!

April 6, 2017 at 7:30 pm the Orchestra of Southern Utah presents the biennial R.L. Halversen Young Artist Concert. As this season’s finale concert, we celebrate the legacy of talented youth and a distinguished music teacher. Roy L. Halversen infused a passion for music and the arts in our region. In his honor, OSU offers auditions to youth who excel on their instrument. This year we’ve selected four outstanding musicians, the youngest is only 13. Despite their age, their musical accomplishments have taken them to large performances and to the top of competitions.

Pianist Carson Drawe is a natural entertainer from magic to theater to music. He performed for the Utah Music Teachers State Convention and was a finalist in Dixie’s Got Talent in 2016. Drawe performs Gershwin’s Concerto in F third movement with contagious and invigorating rhythms. Ellen Hayashi has studied violin since she was six years old. She has performed with the Suzuki Youth orchestra of the Americas and the Utah Symphony Youth Guild Salute to Youth. Hayashi performs Prokofiev Concerto No. 1, first movement with melodies that are textural and lyric. Sarah Sun can play ten different instruments. Her piano has taken her to performances through China and competitions such as the Encore Keyboard Competition and UMTA Concerto Competition. Sara Sun recently won second place at American Protégé International Concerto Competition and will perform in Carnegie Hall in November. Sun performs the illustrious Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2. Mezzo-Soprano Jocelyn Taylor as vocal performance major at SUU is not shy to the stage. She has performed with Magic Valley Symphony and the Amalfi Coast Music Festival in Italy. Taylor will perform the powerful aria from Mozart’s Idomeneo: D’Oreste D’Ajace.

The final piece of the night features the musicians of the Orchestra of Southern Utah, all 65 of them. They perform Rossini’s Overture from the Barber of Seville. These volunteer musicians are talented and passionate. They are the legacy of OSU.  Please join us for the R.L. Halversen Young Artist Concert Youthful Legacy for an array of orchestral music conducted by our two amazing Assistant Conductors Adam Lambert and Carylee Zwang.

Audience members can enjoy a concert orientation beginning at 6:15 pm. Musically Speaking will be hosted by Jim Harrison, an outstanding musician and mentor. After the concert, a reception to meet musicians, soloists, and directors will be held for all!

Admission to the R.L. Halversen Young Artist Concert; Youthful Legacy is $10 for adults, $5 for students, and $30 for groups up to 6. Because evening concerts are recorded, it is requested that babies and children under the age of six not attend. Children over the age of six are welcome at all OSU concerts with adult supervision. The concert is sponsored by the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation.

Tickets available at the Cedar City Heritage Theater Box Office by calling 435-865-2882 or online at http://www.heritagectr.org/. For more information, please visit www.myosu.org, call the Orchestra of Southern Utah at (435) 233-8213, or email osucedarcity@gmail.com.

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April 6, 2017: OSU’s Youthful Legacy Concert, at the Heritage Theater at 7:30 pm.

Musically Speaking with Dr. James Harrison at 6:15 pm. Lobby Music begins at 6:45 pm.

Reception after the concert.

Tickets: $10.00 Adults, $5.00 Students, $30 groups up to six people. 

Video promo to share: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orA-lInmRyQ

Listening Links to Preview Music: http://osulistening.blogspot.com/2017/03/youthful-legacy-listening-links.html

Program Available to Download: http://www.orchestraofsouthernutah.org/concerts/youthful-legacy

Valley of Enchantment "touched my soul"

Patron quote, "So beautiful. Love OSU series. The Enchanted Valley touched my soul."

Thanks to everyone involved for a memorable evening.

Program and order form for CD and DVD available at http://www.orchestraofsouthernutah.org/concerts/creative-legacy

Youtube link for Valley of Enchantment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nXa-LVVnVw

Assistant Conductors Carylee Zwang, OSU Executive Director Pete Akins, and guest pianist Christian Bohnenstengel at intermission.

Music Director Xun Sun with poet Danielle Beazer Dubrasky and composer Mark Dal Porto

Dr. Brandon Wiggins repeated his science demonstration for the evening concert, but this photo is from the Jubilee.

Ling Yu with Bryce and Mary Christiansen

Ling Yu and Lisa Cox, stage manager, backstage

SUU Visiting Scholar Wenya Zhang and her daughter

Minkler family provides great support for OSU.

Salt Lake visitor Emily Tipps presents new broadside and poetry by Danielle Beazer Dubrasky, portions of which inspired the new composition.  Red Butte Press:  https://www.lib.utah.edu/collections/red-butte-press/

Jackie Riddle-Jackson welcomes the Musically Speaking audience before the concert.

Composer Dr. Mark Dal Porto describes the process of creating the Valley of Enchantment" commissioned by OSU.

Dr. Nicki Frey describes the amazing geology and wildlife of the Cedar City area.

OSU leadership with visiting composer, his wife, and Dr. Nicki Frey.

Jolene Heit leads the Children's Choir for lobby music before the concert.

Xun Sun and Carylee Zwang with the world premiere music score.

Xun Sun and Adrienne Read, OSU flute, after the concert.

Emily Tipps, Danielle Beazer  Dubrasky and her daughter Olivia after the concert. Danielle's poetry was featured as part of "Valley of Enchantment" and is available from Red Butte Press at https://www.lib.utah.edu/collections/red-butte-press/

Assistant Conductor Carylee Zwang and OSU Board Member Suzanne Tegland protect the harp during intermission backstage.