Celebrating the "Vistas" of the American West through Music and Art

Landscapes by Travis Humphries will be on display at the Vistas concert.

Travis Humphries paintings to be on display at the concert.

Conductor Adam Lambert

Conductor Carylee Zwang

Orchestra of Southern Utah Starts 2020 with a Western Themed Concert and Art Display 

By Tanisa Crosby

The Orchestra of Southern Utah is ready for their trek west with the first concert of 2020 themed “Vistas”, origins of the wild west. The concert takes place on February 20th, at 7:30 pm at the Heritage Center Theatre.

The “Wild West” is often depicted as vast expanses, with cowboys riding off on their horses. Big names that come to mind are Butch Cassidy, Buffalo Bill, Billy the Kid. Some might think back on the pioneers and their journey west, with oxen pulled wagons and heading into the prairies to settle into new territories. Western expanse often brings up depictions of the Grand Canyon, with red rock formations, deep canyon walls, rolling plains, and perhaps a rolling tumbleweed or two. Often the music that comes to mind includes fun Hoe Downs, with fast music, played around a fire, or wide intervals depicting the wide-open plains. With some fun pieces of music that really capture the essence of cowboys, the vast expanse of land, and a new piece written for the Orchestra, it is sure to be a concert no one will want to miss.

The concert opens with an introduction by the SUU Native American Student Association. Dancers, drum, and singer welcome you to the West.

The concert will feature conductors, Adam Lambert and Carylee Zwang. Lambert will direct three pieces for this concert. Undertaking Aaron Copland’s Rodeo, which is a collection of pieces that really have that western feel to them. The Orchestra will feature well-known selections that include “Buckaroo Holiday”, “Hoe-Down”, “Corral Nocturne”, and “Saturday Night Waltz”. Another well-beloved piece that will be performed is The Cowboy Overture by John Williams. Written for the 1972 movie The Cowboys, this overture features a fun theme that can
be heard several times throughout the piece as it brings to mind many images of cowboys on their horses, galloping off into the sweeping landscapes.

The Orchestra will also perform a new piece written by Keith Bradshaw entitled Home on the Range. The piece plays on the classic western folk song “Home on the Range”, which is sometimes called the “unofficial anthem” of the American West. In 2010 it was chosen as one of the Top 100 western songs of all time. Zwang will conduct the Grand Canyon Suite by Ferde Grofe. Written based on particular scenes typical of the Grand Canyon, the piece is beautiful to listen to. It consists of five movements, “Sunrise”, “Painted Desert”, “On the Trail”, “Sunset”, and “Cloudburst”.

Landscapes from local artist Travis Humphries on display in the lobby will highlight the beauty of the west at the Orchestra’s Vistas concert.

Lobby music will start at 6:45 with the Un4forgettable String Quartet.

Video links to preview the music at https://osulistening.blogspot.com/2019/12/western-music-for-your-winter-enjoyment.html


The “Wild West” concert will take place on February 20th at 7:30 pm and will take place at the Heritage Center Theatre (105 N 100 E, Cedar City, UT, located behind Lins). Tickets cost $12 for adults and $6 for students and can be purchased at the Heritage Theatre or online. Children 6 and older are welcome to attend. No babies please as the concert is recorded. For more information or to purchase tickets online go to ​www.myosu.org

Tickets available:  Heritage Center Box Office

Lobby music begins at 6:45 p.m. before the concert.

Poster design by Rollan Fell

More information:
Rebekah Hughes, OSU Manager
Email: ​ ​beckyosucedarcity@gmail.com