Enlightenment Concert Photos

Photos from the February 15 concert. Thanks to all who participated. The program for the concert is one the previous post at https://osucedarcity.blogspot.com/2024/02/enlightenment-concert-program-feb-2024.html

Photo by Shane Egan

 

OSU Music Director Carylee Zwang and Librarian Kortne Bradshaw before the concert

Tanisa Crosby and April Richardson provided the lobby music 

Lobby before the concert

Lisa Cox helping with ushering

Caitlyn Hughes and Rebecca Hughes help with tickets before the concert

Two harps for this concert with Kendra and Ellie Leavitt

Some of the musicians with audience members after the concert

In the lobby after the concert

Enlightenment Concert Program, Feb. 2024

Thanks to everyone who attended the concert 

and to all the musicians for bringing this great music to life. 

 

Epic Symphonic Music for “Enlightenment” Concert

Written by Rebekah Hughes

The Orchestra of Southern Utah  offers a feast of  traditional symphonic music conducted by Director Carylee Zwang, Thursday February 15th, 2024 at the Heritage Theatre in Cedar City, Ut. Enjoy the popular melodies from Mendolssohn, Holst and Dvorak as the Orchestra explores the inspiration that music provides in this concert themed “Enlightenment”.

The evening will open with Richard Strauss’ magnificent and bold  Also sprach Zarathustra. This famous and well known piece of music has been  used as the theme song in  BBC’s coverage of the Apollo space missions, movie space themes, as well as the opening of Elvis’concerts. While the title of the piece is not commonly well known, this melody of epic proportions is known by all.  Often used as the portent of a significant event to come, this piece will herald the opening of the orchestra’s inspiring concert “Enlightenment''.

The Orchestra will then explore the inspired and otherworldly compositions and explorations of Gustav Holst, an enlightened creator  inspired and ahead of his “time”. Performing highlights from his collection of the planets the orchestra will perform Mars, the bringer of war, that was inspiration for John Williams’ Imperial March and also the Majestic Jupiter, the bringer of jollity whose poignant and beautiful melody served to inspire the song I Vow to Thee My Country. 

Dvorak, enlightened composer of the New World Symphony No. 9  serves as a representative of romantic and modern music heralding in a new age of exploration and creativity. The Orchestra will perform the beloved and soulful Largo movement, that poses thoughtful contemplation amidst turmoil and brings peace to the soul in a world swirling with activity and excitement.

In the ultimate homage to enlightenment the orchestra will perform the entire Symphony no. 5 in D Minor by Felix Mendolssohn, also known as the “Reformation Symphony”. Each movement will bring recognition of hymns, movie themes and classic tunes you will enjoy and be uplifted by. The melodies of Mendellson’s inspiration serve to bring joy that is unparalleled in person. The orchestra invites you to experience the energy and inspiration of these composers in person in a full symphonic orchestra performance that cannot be replicated. 

Lobby music before the concert will be performed by Tanisa Crosby and April Richardson.

Come celebrate with OSU on Thursday, February 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Heritage Theater. Tickets are available online at www.myosu.org  $12 for adults, $6 for students over six years. $40  for a group of six individuals. Children over six years are welcome. No babies, please, as concerts are recorded. Tickets are now available online at www.myosu.org.

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For Calendars:

Dates: February 15, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.

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

Tickets: $12 Adults, $6 Students over 6 years. 

More information: myosu. org

Listening links to preview the music available: https://osulistening.blogspot.com

2023 Handel's "Messiah" Photos and Reviews

Thanks to everyone who participated in this year's performances. 

Here is a sampling of photos and reactions: 

"Singing Handel’s Messiah is one of my most favorite things to do at Christmas time. I’m so fortunate to live in a small town that loves the arts and provides this masterpiece as a gift to the community. There were over 200 people on the stage between the orchestra and the chorale. What a wonderful way to get in the Christmas Spirit by worshiping through inspired music."

Guizella Rocabado, Chorale member

Sunday Performance Photos

 Photo by Corey Baumgartner for Iron County Today. Full article at: https://ironcountytoday.com/handel%E2%80%99s-messiah-brings-unparalleled-majesty-to-cedar-city-p3369-182.htm

Choir warming up downstairs on Sunday

Team getting ready to handle tickets

Audience starts to arrive

Cody Stratton provided lobby music on Sunday

"This was an excellent Messiah! I've done well over a hundred from massive choirs and orchestras to an electric organ and a dozen aged chorus members. This one was up near the top. The soloist may not have all been world class singers but they all did very well with their experience and skill set. I was amazed considering what I heard at the audition. These folks worked very hard to do some very hard music. And, I didn't see the egos or competitiveness I often have to work with from soloists or choristers, conductors & orchestra. I felt this group is doing this work for all the right reasons. I felt community and fellowship from everyone I encountered. I greatly enjoyed my run throughs with the orchestra and the rehearsals with the choir. My experience in the chorus was that there is a wonderful mix of skill levels where the end result is greater than the parts. This ensemble conquered some of the most difficult pieces of music confidently."

Steve Grabe, Sunday Soloist

Part of the soloists and directors on Sunday

Thanks to David Torres for this photo of himself and Andrew Briggs, soloist

Dr. Sun with Chorale members after the performance on Sunday

Honestly dear, you have perfected the tempos and brought emphasis to every single piece. You have limited ornamentation but still allowed for it. There is no delay transitioning even with switching conductors. The use of the harpsichord, timpani drums and the concert trumpet was inspiring as well as brother Briggs fabulous acclamation. It truly is a work of art. The orchestra kept up and all the soloists were fabulous. I even got to hear the soloist choke up singing Redeemer which brought added emotion to her very stirring performance. It was spontaneous I'm sure but actually was the perfect place to express added emotion. I will remember that particular performance for many years. It was very moving. There were quite a few young people in the balcony who probably did not appreciate as I did what they were hearing. But those of us who have heard Messiah played for decades were captivated. 

Bryan Jackson, OSU Board Member and Director Jackie Riddle-Jackson's husband

Backstage

Before the Sunday performance

Thanks to Carmen Alldredge for arranging the 9th Ward cookies for after the performance

Soloists and Directors on Monday

Full program for Cedar City's 83rd Handel's Messiah

Handel's "Messiah" Program for 2023

 We have had several requests for a printed program for the Messiah performance.

This is backup because we have distributed all of the tickets and may run out of printed programs.

Thanks to everyone who participates and to everyone who attends. We appreciate all of you.

Website: https://www.myosu.org