This October The School Of Music Offers Everything From Symphonic Music To Jazz Tunes
With a month of the semester under your belt, you may find yourself looking for ways to decompress and destress. The School of Music has multiple exciting concerts happening during the month of October that you won’t want to miss. Between the beautiful sound of BYU’s exceptional musical groups and the enchanting ambiance of the new Music Building, these concerts are sure to enhance your Fall semester experience.
Jazz Showcase: Welcome to Our House!
Date & Time: Oct. 10 | 7:30 p.m.
Location: Music Building Concert Hall
Price: $10-14
Tickets: arts.byu.edu
BYU’s four main jazz performance groups come together for one swingin’, groovin’ night. Their first concert in the new Music Building (MB), “Welcome to Our House!” features the sounds of the Jazz Legacy Band, Synthesis, Jazz Voices and Jazz Ensemble. Each of these bands have their own unique style — everyone attending will find something to love!
Assistant Director of the School of Music Mark Ammons said, “This year's Jazz Showcase is affectionately entitled ‘Welcome to Our House’ as we are excited to introduce both our faithful fans and newcomers to our new concert home in the magnificent MB Concert Hall. Our audience will hear jazz at BYU like they have never heard it before — in a nearly entirely acoustic way! Come celebrate jazz at BYU as we say to you, ‘Welcome To Our House’!”
Wind Symphony: The Blue Marble
Date & Time: Oct. 13 | 7:30 p.m.
Location: Music Building Concert Hall
Price: $10-14
Tickets: arts.byu.edu
BYU Wind Symphony’s “The Blue Marble” is a unique production that will premiere new works from renowned guest artists. Wind Symphony will be joined by composer Alyssa Morris as they perform the world premiere of “Moving Mountains,” a piece she composed specifically for them. Two former BYU Wind Symphony conductors, Donald Peterson and David Blackinton, will also be invited to the podium as guest conductors. To conclude, Wind Symphony will perform the new work by Emmy-Winning composer Julie Giroux. The piece is titled “Symphony VI: The Blue Marble” and celebrates the beauty of the earth through a unique multimedia combination of audio, film and live music.
Wind Symphony director Shawn Smith said, “The BYU Wind Symphony is always striving for new ways to connect with audiences and create memorable experiences. This concert is a wonderful example of that and we hope that many from our campus and regional communities will share the experience with us.”
Symphony Orchestra
Date & Time: Oct. 19 | 7:30 p.m.
Location: Music Building Concert Hall
Price: $6-10
Tickets: arts.byu.edu
In their first of two concerts this Fall, BYU Symphony Orchestra will perform Verdi’s “Overture” to La Forza del Destino, Bizet’s “La Petite Suite” and Mascagni’s “Intermezzo” from Cavalleria Rusticana. The main musical feature of the concert will be Aaron Copland’s “Four Dance Episodes,” taken from his 1942 ballet, Rodeo. Copland is well known and loved for single handedly creating an “American” sound through his orchestrations.
Symphony Orchestra director Chris Smith said, “In these four movements, we get the gist of the ballet’s story of an awkward cowgirl trying to win the affection of the head wrangler. You’ll have to attend the concert to see how things turn out!”
Baucis and Philemon: A Multimedia Chamber Opera
Date & Time:
Oct. 27 | 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 28 | 2:00 p.m.
Oct. 28 | 7:30 p.m.
Location: Music Building Box Theatre
Price: $6-10
Tickets: arts.byu.edu
BYU faculty from the School of Music, Department of Theatre and Media Arts, Department of Art and Department of Design have worked together to bring the ancient tale of Baucis and Philemon to the BYU stage. The story follows an elderly couple who are transformed into trees on the bank of a lake. Music and sound design was composed by Steven Ricks and the libretto was written by Stephen Tuttle. The lead roles are sung by soprano Madison Leonard and baritone Shea Owens, who also directs. The production features lighting design by Michael Kraczek, original set pieces by Brian Christensen, video projection by Brent Barson and David Habben and a recorded opening narration by Barta Heiner.
Composition professor Steven Ricks said, “This is probably my most ambitious project to date and it’s been really inspiring to work with all these collaborators. The faculty and guest performers are incredible artists and are doing a great job with the piece. I’m excited to make use of the multimedia features of the new Box venue in the Music Building. I think it will be a beautiful and compelling performance.”