Rock Gold Concert on Feb. 9, 2023

Are you ready to rock out with your orchestra? Tickets at https://www.myosu.org

*Season Ticket Holders* Note the performance date is Thursday February 9th. There was a date error on your Feb. ticket

 Orchestra of Southern Utah Brings Excitement to Cedar City with Symphonic Rock Concert

Written by Rebekah Gonzalez

Iconic rock arrangements are rolling across audiences at the Orchestra of Southern Utah’s upcoming concert, conducted by Maestro Carylee Zwang.  OSU offers a full sensory experience combining rock elements with the textures of the Symphony Orchestra at the Cedar City Heritage Theatre, Thursday February 9th, 2023. The concert is full of vocal and instrumental soloists, dancers and actors.  The evening will open with classic refrains of "Eleanor Rigby" by the Beatles performed by the Orchestra with vocal soloist Brandon Burk. The song maintains its classic Beatles integrity with additional symphony orchestra twists provided by master arranger and composer Cody Fry. 

The Orchestra's stunning opening arrangement is just the beginning of a spectacular evening and Symphonic Rock journey that will continue to pay homage to music from all eras. Vocal soloist Mark McGahan (Apollo’s Army)  and choreographer Torri Adams will enthrall you with “Thriller” by Michael Jackson followed by the classic “I Will Survive” performed by Adrianne Anning, “Under the Bridge”  by Red Hot Chili Peppers and “Bring me to Life” by Evanescence performed by Tamera Merkley, Cynthia Ferree and Mark McGahan. All of these phenomenal pieces are enriched and strengthened with the Orchestra of Southern Utah’s instrumentals making these songs a new experience.

After intermission the Orchestra soars through the desert plains to the popular and well known “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” by U2 leading into the ultimate true gritty rock music era of Pink Floyd “Another Brick in the Wall” performed by Lorah Bodie. As if the excitement from Pink Floyd isn’t enough the Orchestra will continue to exalt the Rock Gods with the King of Rock,  Elvis Presley’s “Burning Love” performed by Andrew Briggs, and Led Zeppelin’s Kashmir like you have never heard before with “wailing” solo cello performed by Brooke MacNaughtan.  It wouldn’t be rock if there wasn’t big hair band music, Justin Olsen pays homage to Aerosmith and the electric concert finale will end on a rock music high from Guns n’ Roses directed by David Jordan, OSU Assistant Conductor. With music spanning the decades and genres this concert will have you singing, rocking and reminiscing along with the Orchestra. Lobby music before the concert features the Southern Utah String Quartet.

Don’t miss out, come  celebrate with OSU on Thursday, February 9, 7:30 p.m. at the Heritage Theater. Concert ticket prices are as follows: $12 for adults, $6 for students and children over six years. No babies, please, as concerts are recorded. Tickets are now available online at www.myosu.org. Advanced purchase strongly recommended.

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Date: February 9, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.

Heritage Theater: 105 N 100 E Cedar City, UT 84720

OSU Rock Gold Concert Tickets:  $12 Adults, $6 Students over 6 years. 

Lobby Music at 6:45 to 7:15 features Southern Utah String Quartet

Click here to contrast original rock videos with orchestra arrangements.

More on the soloists:

Mark McGahan is a Cedar City local. He is the lead vocalist for the band Apollo’s Army. He began singing when he was 16 years old in the choirs at Canyon View High school. He has been performing with his band as well as other groups and shows since 2008.

Lorah Wood Bodie began her musical journey as a student of Dr. Blaine Hart Johnson, at the age of 10. She continued classical voice training into her teens when Rock n Roll became her passion. After she graduated from SUU, she performed with several rock bands from the Southern California area from the late 70s into the early 90s before taking a break to pursue an academic career at San Diego State University. She continued singing at special events, as writing became more of a focus. In 2019, Muffin Records released Lorah’s album, RAIN, the culmination of a writing partnership with French composer, Tristan Des Pres, and a stellar lineup of featured artists. The album is available at LorahBodie.com and all major streaming services. “We've worked to create a positive ripple, our Stitch in Time, messages left behind for those who seek to find.” 

Brandon Burk has over 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry as a professional actor, singer, director and coach. Notably, his acting credits include the Utah Shakespeare Festival, Nevada Conservatory Theatre [NCT], the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and an Off Broadway production of his one person show, Invention.  He holds an M.F.A. from UNLV’s Professional Actor Training Program and a B.A. in Theatre from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He has worked as an instructor and coach of acting, dialects/speech, and stage combat for numerous shows on the Las Vegas Strip, the NCT, the Las Vegas Academy of Performing and Visual Arts, as well as private students since 2004. Brandon is the former Artistic Director of The Onyx Theatre and Off-Strip Productions in Las Vegas, and the former Director of Operations for Access Theatre in New York City. Brandon is the co-owner of InterMountain Performing Arts Conservatory [IMPAC] in Cedar City.

Andrew Briggs in rehearsal for "Burning Love" with SUU choir

Andrew Briggs, DMA is the Director of Choral Activities for Southern Utah University, where he directs the Opus and Concert Choirs, and teaches Voice and Choral Education courses. He was the Director of Choral Activities for Houston Community College – Central campus and served as the Program Coordinator for music for the HCC system from 2016-2020. 

He received his doctorate in voice at Arizona State University and is an SUU graduate with extensive performance experience on stage as well as being a choral clinician.

Justin Olsen moved to Cedar City in 2016 to attend Southern Utah University. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Spanish in Spring 2021. He currently works as an office manager for J&E Property Management & Sales, LLC. In addition to his regular responsibilities in the office, he also helps people in their search for homes as a real estate agent. Justin obtained his Realtor® license in August of 2022. He is an active participant in community events, particularly his involvement with Cedar Valley Community Theatre. In his free time, he enjoys listening to and singing along with music, playing video and board games, and spending time with friends and family.

Tamera Merkley has a lifetime of performance experience in Music, Theatre, and Dance. She has performed in over 50 stage productions, on multiple dance companies, as well as singing in venues stretching from Utah to New York City. Tamera received a full ride performance scholarship to Western Wyoming College for Musical Theatre and also attended Utah Valley University for her BFA in Modern Dance. She has been teaching studio dance for 7 years and private voice for 4 years. She has directed and choreographed multiple Southern Utah theatre productions and has also enjoyed teaching and choreographing many children’s theatre camps in Wyoming, Utah County and St George. Favorite performing roles include Jane in Jane Eyre, Christine Colgate in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Marguerite in The Scarlet Pimpernel. Tamera recently returned to Southern Utah from her last few years of performing in New York City and is thrilled to share her passion for Music Dance Theatre with the next generation of performing artists. Tamera is the co-owner of InterMountain Performing Arts Conservatory [IMPAC] in Cedar City.

Cynthia Robinson Ferree was born and raised in Paragonah and Enoch Utah. She attended Canyon View High School, Snow College, and BYU Idaho. She married her sweetheart Ryan in 2007 and have since had many adventures together, the biggest is being the parents of 6 amazing daughters. Love of music was instilled since her birth into a big musical family and is in her heart and soul. She is always excited about developing and sharing her gifts with family, friends, and the community.

Brooke MacNaughtan has been a member of the Orchestra of Southern Utah’s ‘cello section for about 30 years (and serves on OSU’s board). She grew up playing in Sara Penny’s Suzuki Strings group and June Thorley’s Iron County School District orchestras. Brooke studied cello with Tom Silliman of SUU, Roger Drinkall of BYU, Ryan Selberg of the Utah Symphony, and Jim Hardy of SUU. She’s a bit of a musical has-been, but once upon a time, Brooke was the regional Sterling Scholar winner for music and was first chair ‘cellist at All-State Orchestra for one day (long story…). Brooke graduated from SUU with a degree in English Literature and Spanish (and often played in the SUU Orchestra). Brooke has worked at Leavitt Group, one of the nation’s largest insurance brokers, for 21 years. She currently serves as their Chief People and Community Officer. Brooke is married to Mac, has three children, and also has a dog who isn’t a fan of amped-up ‘cello playing.

Torri Adams started dancing when she was just three years old. Over the years, she expanded her dance education repertoire with clogging, jazz, ballet, tap, hip hop, and little bits of a variety of other styles. She enjoys dancing, teaching, and choreographing wherever life takes her. One of her greatest opportunities was when she was able to take private lessons with Prima Ballerina Maria Ilieva in Bulgaria. Torri moved with her husband to Cedar City in 2012. She and her family love being involved in community arts, music, and theater.

Tamara Reber studied vocal performance and theatre at Utah State University and Southern Utah
University. Tamara Reber has always been passionate about the arts and has had the opportunity
to perform in many memorable productions throughout her music, stage and film career. Tamara
is a vocal performance coach and is currently the lead singer of the 80’s cover band The 8eeZ.
She resides in Cedar City, Utah with her husband and children.

Adrianne JT Anning is excited to be joining the orchestra to sing for this performance.  Adrianne is an award winning choral director from Southern Utah with a distinguished 20 year career in vocal music.  She was elected Utah Music Education Association Choral Vice President for the state of Utah 2013-2015.  She received Iron County Teacher of the Year 2011, Utah All-State Women’s Honor Choir Director 2010 and was awarded the Utah Music Educator of the Year 2007.  

     Her high-school choirs received superior marks at region and state festivals. She is the founding director of the Cedar Area Interfaith Alliance Choir, served as pianist/music minister for St. Jude’s Episcopal Church and directed the Southern Utah Chorale as Choral Master for the Orchestra of Southern Utah. Adrianne has music-directed about thirty, fully staged, musical theatre productions and produced in excess of one-hundred choral concerts through her career.

The 8eez band from Cedar City includes Tamara Reber vocal, Stan Szczesny guitar, Lindsay Szczesny keyboard, Jordan Sanders bass, and Carylee Zwang drums. This group has been
performing together since 2017. They play for community events, weddings, dances, and private
parties. They have performed throughout Southern Utah and Nevada. Each member of the band
has a deep musical background originating from their youngest years. Tamara performs regularly
with local theatrical groups in Cedar City. She teaches vocal performance to students of all ages.
Stan studied jazz guitar at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle and recently completed his
doctorate in literature. His wife Lindsay is primarily a violinist and teaches violin locally, Jordan
earned his vocal performance degree from SUU studying under Carol Ann Modesitt. Carylee has
a Music Education degree in percussion and currently serves as theMusic Director/Conductor for
the Orchestra of Southern Utah. Together, they love to pick 80's classics that resonate with their
audiences.

More Rehearsal Photos thanks to Amy Gold