4th Grade Students Invited to Explore the World of Music with the Orchestra of Southern Utah

Melissa Bishop Leavitt, OSU Education Director, will be visiting the schools in Iron County school district and presenting the 4th graders with a "Passport to the Orchestra". Homeschool students who are of 4th grade age may pick them up at St. Judes (70 N. 200 W., Cedar City) on Wed. at 4:30 or on Thursday, Oct. 10, before the concert. 

Melissa said, "I will spend a few minutes explaining to them what an orchestra is and what orchestra music sounds like. I think they will be surprised how many times they hear orchestra music...in just about any show they watch or video game they play. We'll talk a bit about their opportunity to start learning to play orchestral instruments next year and then I'll tell them a little about OSU's theme for the year and specifically about the program planned for Thursday. I plan to have a surprise for anyone who can bring an authentic passport with 5 punches on it! Before each concert I will email the teachers with listening files and lesson plans/ideas for their use. I will also follow up in February when we take the assembly to the schools." Thanks to everyone involved in getting the program implemented.

This is an exciting new initiative that Melissa Leavitt is working to implement as the new Education Director under OSU Manager Emily Hepworth. 4th grade is a crucial time because the students decide in 5th grade if they are going to study an instrument in our Cedar City public schools. We are excited that the students can explore the world of music with OSU. Thanks to our wonderful donors who are making this possible.

For more information contact Emily Hepworth, OSU Manager, at 435-592-4266 435-592-4266.

For more information on the Orchestra, see www.orchestraofsouthernutah.org

October Concert Exploring the World Through Music

Exploring the World Through Music

The Orchestra of Southern Utah is pleased to present their first concert of the season Exploring the World Through Music. The concert will start at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 9 at the Heritage Center 105 N. 100 East in Cedar City, The Performances that night will reflect the Orchestra’s theme for the year which is Pieces of Peace.

Emily Hepworth, Manager of Orchestra of Southern Utah said, “Pieces of Peace is a theme that is meant to bring all people together through music”.   OSU Musical Director Xun Sun has been recognized by SUU for his work in developing cultural collaboration between China and America.  Students, musicians, dancers, and artists have visited Cedar City thanks to his efforts.

The concert will feature the Chinese piece Chao Yang Valley with choir and orchestra. This will be the premiere in the United States. The choir has been rehearsing under the direction of Adrianne Tawa.   This featured piece will be conducted by  Maestro Tao Wu, Music Director and Chief Conductor of Henan Symphony Orchestra. Wu studied orchestral conducting at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing of China and Berlin Academy of Music in Germany. The night’s performance will also feature the choir In Jublio, CVHS Madrigals, SUU Opus Chamber Choir, and Master Singers who will perform various pieces from around the world, including I’m gonna Sing When the Spirit Says Sing and Mbiri Kuna Mwari

OSU will also perform the popular Ashokan Farewell by Jay Unger which was made popular through the documentary on the Civil War by Ken Burns.  Joshua Stavros and Britton Gardner will be doing dramatic readings as part of this performance, directed by Xun Sun.

Exploring the World Through Music  begins at 7:30 p.m. at The Heritage Center Theater. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students; children over the age of six are welcome at all Orchestra events with adult supervision. No babies please as the concerts are recorded. CDs and DVDs of the concerts are available.  For more information, visit www.orchestraofsouthernutah.org or email osucedarcity@gmail.com.

Season tickets available for $40 per set which includes four more concerts plus the Children’s Jubilee are available at Cedar Music Store, Whittlesticks, and the Heritage Center.

18th Annual Fall Recital Series Summary

Recitals start at 7:30 p.m. in the Heritage Center Theatre, 105 N. 100 E., Cedar City.

$5 suggested donation. You are all invited.  

Sept. 2 The Musician's Muse (Jackie Riddle-Jackson, director)

Sept. 9 Dress Up Your Music (Sally Hunter Jensen, director)

Sept. 16 Songs from My Childhood (Sara Penny, director)

Sept. 23 Irish Music  (Sara Penny, director)

Guest dancers: Shifting Velocity Dance Company

Sept. 30 Performer Favorites (Emily Hepworth, director)

More information:  OSU Manager Emily Hepworth at  435-233-8213 or texts to 435-319-0692

Poster design by Rollan Fell

J. V. Berk performs on Sept. 30

In Jubilo, Sept. 2 Recital directed by Jackie Riddle-Jackson

Kendra  Erika Lee Leavitt playing harp on Sept. 23

Red Hill Rangers perform Sept. 16

Southern Utah Children's Choir set for Sept. 16 recital

David Bolsover, tenor sax: Beth Gaines, piano; and Manny Mosqueda, djembe on Sept. 16 recital.

Jack and Halle Vickers perform on Sept. 16 recital

Shifting Velocity Dance Company performs on Sept. 23 recital (photo by Glenn Purvis)

Denise Purvis, director of Shifting Velocity Dance Company (photo by Karl Hughs)

Gerry Kelsey, Sally Jensen and Bill Brough at Groovefest, will perform on Sept. 9 recital

Ellie Seegmiller will play viola on Sept. 9

2nd Left Hand Blues Hand at summer performance in Cedar, will perform Sept. 9.

Angela Van Scoyk, sings on Sept. 9

Off the Cuff Comedy (OTC) takes on music, Sept. 9

Southern Utah String Quartet performs on the Sept. 2 and Sept. 23 recitals

Nate Hatton, tenor, Sept. 30

Color Country Winds, Sept. 30

Common Ground at Groovefest, will perform Sept. 23 (photo by Barbara Kuehl)

Dennis Loeffel, tuba, Sept. 30

Liahona Rose Hepworth, pianist, Sept. 30

Lindsey Lopez, Sept. 30

Teri Metcalf-Peterson, soprano,  Sept. 2

(Performers please send photos to osucedarcity@gmail.com so we can recognize you.
We appreciate everyone who is helping with the recitals.)

"Eyes of Youth" R. L. Halversen Young Artists Concert

OSU Young Soloist Concert to Include Miss SUU 

Miss SUU Lindsey Lopez, Alex Byers, Liahona Axelson, Benjamin Bradshaw and Miriam Wagstaff have been chosen through competitive audition to perform with the Orchestra of Southern Utah at the “Eyes of Youth” R.L. Halversen Young Artist Concert.  This concert, which concludes the OSU “Cinema Classics” season, is held Thursday, April 17 at 7:30 pm in the Cedar City Heritage Center, located at 105 North 100 East.

Lyric mezzo soprano Lopez is a Junior at SUU, studying opera under the direction of Carol Ann Modesitt. She dreams of singing on the stages of the Metropolitan Opera and La Scala one day soon. She would like to thank those who have given her this honor to sing with the Orchestra of Southern Utah and would also like to thank her Angel of Music and Grandfather, Morris Hodson, for never letting her give up on her dream.  Lopez sings the fiery Habanera from Bizet's opera Carmen.

Young composer Byers is a Senior Music Education Major at SUU. Although his emphasis is in Choral Education, he has performed and studied extensively in both instrumental and choral fields. He currently studies voice with Kevin Baker and is an active soloist in his community. Byers is also a composer studying under Keith Bradshaw.  The Orchestra performs his composition The Lord is My Shepherd under the direction of OSU Conductor and Music Director Xun Sun during the April 17 concert.  This is the first time OSU has included a composer by a young artist in their Halversen concert.

Axelson is a Senior at Cedar High School where she is a member of four bands and was in the All-State Band for two years. A member of OSU, Axelson has enjoyed participating in Color Country Winds, Cedar City Tuba Christmas, and pit orchestra for Cedar High School's Thoroughly Modern Millie, Cedar Valley Community Theatre's Annie and Hello Dolly, and Utah Shakespeare Festival Playmaker's Wizard of Oz. Axelson has been accepted into the United States Marine Corps Bands and enters boot camp this summer.  She performs Concert Etude by Alexander Goedicke on the euphonium. She is a Sterling Scholar for Cedar High.

Bradshaw is a student at SUU, studying Bassoon Performance and Pure Mathematics. He studies under Virginia Stitt  and graduates this May.  He has performed in Jazz, Pep, and Concert Bands as well as in orchestras at SUU and in the community, including as a soloist for the 2009 Halversen Concert and the Canyon Arts Festival. Bradshaw performs the popular Mozart Bassoon Concerto in B Flat Major.

Just turned 14 years old, Wagstaff is the youngest of this year’s honored young artists. She is Concertmaster with Lyceum Symphonic Strings in American Fork, where she also recently performed as a soloist. Miriam has fiddled at Western Legends, Life Under the Horseshoe live radio show, Lyceum Music Festival, and with her quartet at a Utah Symphony Lobbyfest. Last year Miriam was the Utah Oldtime Fiddlers State Champ in her age division. Wagstaff performs a lively Rondo from a classical era viola concerto by Stamitz, Concerto in D Major, Rondo.

Assistant conductors Adam Lambert and Carylee Zwang will be directing the concerto selections.  “We are excited to have these exceptional musicians involved in developing our orchestra,” said Emily Hepworth, OSU Manager.

Major sponsors for this concert are June Thorley and the Sterling and Shelli Gardner Foundation.  “Financial support makes it possible for us to keep ticket prices lower as well as perform in our beautiful Heritage Center.  We appreciate this support,” said Hepworth.

The Halversen Young Artist Concert is held Thursday, April 17 at 7:30 pm.  Doors open at 6:45.  Tickets may be purchased for $10 for adults, $5 for students (ages six and up), $30 for groups of six.  Tickets are available at the Cedar City Heritage Center Box Office by calling 435-865-2882 or online at http://www.heritagectr.org/. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended.  

Children over the age of six are welcome at all the concerts with adult supervision.  OSU requests that babies and children less than six years old not attend as evening concerts are recorded.

For more information, please contact OSU Manager Emily Hepworth at (435) 233-8213.

Seattle Conference: League of American Orchestras

           

Jackie Riddle-Jackson prepares for the Roundtables in Seattle.

Certificate from League of American Orchestras 2014

Roundtable presentors 2014.  Thanks to Tiffany Ammerman for the photos.

           

The Orchestra of Southern Utah sent two representatives to attend and present at the annual conference held by The American League of Orchestras. Board Member and OSU Musician, Suzanne Tegland joined In Jubilo conductor and OSU Recital Director Jackie Riddle-Jackson to learn valuable information to help improve our orchestra, network with orchestras from across the nation, and present one of seventeen Roundtable Sessions.

"With many different sessions, we learned that our concerts resonate the concerns of orchestras everywhere. Our overall feeling was that with our excellent conductor, board, and manager, we have already addressed concerns so well. We felt lucky to have such support from our community. We now have some tricks up our sleeves that will help us to better serve our community in return and look forward to implementing ideas and creating more connections," said Jackie Jackson.

The highlight of the conference was when Jackie Jackson presented at the roundtables. For the entire session, an attendee would go to 4 different tables for 12 minutes each. Jackson presented on behalf of OSU a session entitled, “Singing Creates Symphony Support.” She described our work with the community, high schools, and our Messiah choirs that have helped our orchestra perform both old and new pieces. This past year we performed Mozart’s Requiem; next season we look forward to collaborating again to perform a Chinese love story in October and Marshall McDonald and Steven Sharp-Nelson’s Africa in November. Our presentation was well attended; with people advising other attendees to go to ours! We are thankful to Jackie for her work, Rollan Fell and Sara Penny for collecting and preparing the presentation materials. Jackie was one of 7 presentation winners.

The Orchestra of Southern Utah continues to learn, grow, and network in hopes to help our community. Music has power to hone minds, promote peace, and unify communities. We look forward to our season, “Pieces of Peace,” and hope that you will join us!

Handout from Seattle Conference on League site: http://www.americanorchestras.org/conference2014/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Southern%20Utah.pdf

Conference highlights and videos at http://www.americanorchestras.org/conferences-meetings/conference-2014.html#volunteers

2013-2014 OSU Photos

Looking back at a wonderful season of music.  Thanks to all involved.

R.L. Halversen Young Artists soloists for 2014

OSU President Harold Shirley with soloists Assistant Conductor Carylee Zwang and harpist Kendra Leavitt

Cedar Music Children's Choir with Director Jolene Heit and pianist Harry Taylor

Lobby music from Cedar Music Children's Choir for April concert

We appreciate the Heritage Center ushers.  This photo is from our April 2014 concert.

Thanks to SUU Journal for photo and article
http://www.suunews.com/news/2014/apr/23/osu-showcases-suu-musicians/

We were happy to have students from Bryce Elementary join us for our April concert.  

Thanks to Jade Catering for a wonderful year end reception.

Composer Alex Byers and family

Soloist Lindsey Lopez with her vocal teacher Carol Ann Modesitt

Cellists at the reception

Soloist Liahona Axelson with her teacher D.J. Barraclough and his daughter

OSU Manager Emily Hepworth had great decorations for the season finale reception

OSU Executive Director Pete Akins and his family

Publicity Director Laurel Dodgion with Music Director Conductor Xun Sun at the Feb. performance of "Flickers"

Messiah soloists Annie Powell and Taliah Byers, Dec. 2013

The Interfaith Council provided lovely treats after the Sunday Messiah performance.

To add your photos please send to osucedarcity@gmail.com.  You're also invited to post photos on our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Orchestra-of-Southern-Utah/312346152151118?ref=hl

Dr. Xun Sun Recognized at SUU Commencement for His Outstanding Work

Dr. Xun Sun, Music Director and Conductor for the Orchestra of Southern Utah received a Board of Trustees Award of Excellence at the SUU Commencement.  We are honored to have such a wonderful leader and appreciate his pursuit of world peace through music.  Here's the notice in the commencement program:

"Associate professor of music, Dr. Xun Sun, has taken Southern Utah University's performing arts students ar beyond anywhere they could have imagined, creating a variety of educational, creative and cultural engagement opportunities for students, faculty and staff.  Dr. Sun was a catalyst in educational outreach between SUU and universities and professional arts organizations in his native China. 

With his vision and enthusiasm that requires no translation, Xun has gained access for SUU performers to the Renmin University's School of Art and Peking University in Beijing, the Hubei Symphony Orchestra, the Hubei Opera and Dance Drama Theatre, the Hubei International Arts Festival, the Huazhong Normal University and the International Cultural Exchange Center of Hubei Province and the China Central Normal University of Changsha. Much of that work focused on the theatrical dance production of 'The Dream of Helen', inspired by Helen Foster Snow, a native of Cedar City.  Dr. Sun served as both literal and figurative conductor, helping performers meet the challenges of an international production. 

Beyond the arts, Dr. Sun has assisted in additional partnerships for SUU, including a Mandarin instructional exchange with Hunana Normal University and a leadership role over the American Studies Center of Changsha.  Among artists and educators the campus and world over, Dr. sun is the common denominator in every one of these successful partnerships.  He is an accomplished violinist, world-class conductor, and the music director and conductor for the Orchestra of Southern Utah."

So, when you notice the statue of Helen Foster Snow at the city park you'll be reminded how fortunate we are to have Dr. Sun at the help of our orchestra because this is another project that he motivated and saw through to completion.  We wish him well on his upcoming performances in China and will be pleased to have him back in Utah for our upcoming season.

 

Ling and Xun Sun with former mayor Joe Burgess and one of several delegations from China to Cedar City.  In this case a composer and musician who were here for a concert featuring Chinese music.  In addition to all the items in the citation, Dr. Sun arranged for several OSU musicians to visit China for a joint orchestra performance which included projections of Utah scenery.  Ling and Xun have hosted numerous Chinese delegations over the past several years and continue to promote American music in China and Chinese music in America as a peace building effort between the two countries.  He has done all of  this while earning a Doctorate in Music from Columbia University in New York, teaching at SUU, and conducting our orchestra.