Rock Gold Volume IV Brings the Power of Rock to the Symphony
Get ready to rock, Iron County! The Orchestra of Southern Utah returns with Rock Gold Volume Four: Voices Amplified, November 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the Heritage Theater. Led by conductor Carylee Zwang, this electrifying concert brings together a full symphony orchestra, outstanding vocalists, dancers, and local choirs for two nights of extraordinary music.
“It is so exciting to give community musicians a chance to shine with the orchestra,” said Zwang. Guest performers include a nurse, structural engineer, banker, retired university professor, and talented students. “We can shine the spotlight on talents that might otherwise be invisible for a great evening of music.”
The song list spans generations of rock and pop, from Santana’s Grammy-winning “Smooth” and Van Halen’s “Jump” to Journey’s “Separate Ways,” Queen’s “Somebody to Love,” and Bruno Mars’s “Uptown Funk.” Coldplay’s “Clocks,” the Eagles’ “Hotel California,” Pat Benatar’s “Heartbreaker,” and Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water” bring even more iconic sounds to the stage. Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” features the combined madrigal choirs of Cedar and Canyon View high schools.
The concert also embraces contemporary hits. “Golden,” from KPop Demon Hunters, features returning performer Jaley Cox alongside Faith Everett and Jenessa Price. The trio promises to bring the song’s infectious energy to the stage. Meanwhile, Molly Shakespear returns to sing Van Halen’s anthem “Jump,” and SUU students Taylor Petersen and Dakota Allison lend their voices to “Clocks.”
The vocalists bring remarkable range and experience. Lynsey Swiderska, a former professional opera singer who performed for 16 years from Cincinnati to San Diego, joins Aubrey Tuttle, a vocalist, pianist, and music director, for “Smooth.” Tamara Reber, a vocal instructor and accomplished theater performer, takes on “Heartbreaker.” Other highlights include JoAnna Paddock on “Hotel California,” Kennedy McQuiston on “Uptown Funk,” and Lorah Bodie on Journey’s “Separate Ways.”
Adding a special local touch, Jacob Lee, OSU’s composer in residence, will perform his original synthesizer solo concerto, “The Land Unknown.” Raised in Cedar City, Lee now teaches music theory, composition, and piano at Clayton State University in Georgia.
Guest instrumentalists Jordan Sanders, Ian Shaw, and Stan Szczesny round out this exceptional lineup. Together, these musicians demonstrate the remarkable depth of talent in Southern Utah.
Don't wait to get your tickets! Rock Gold has sold out in each of the past two years, prompting OSU to add a second performance to meet audience demand.
Rock Gold Volume Four takes place November 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the Heritage Theater, 105 N. 100 East, Cedar City. Tickets are available at myosu.org. Children over six are welcome with adult supervision. No babies, please, as the concert will be recorded.
Come experience the thrill of rock music amplified by a full symphony orchestra. Two nights. Iconic songs. Incredible local talent. Rock Gold is ready to turn up the volume!
 |
| Poster design by Shelly Forsman |
