The Orchestra of Southern Utah Announces 2020-2021
Plans for a Safe and Adaptive Concert Season
By Tanisa Crosby
During hard times, music has the power to uplift and unite us; to calm our troubled lives, and bring moments of peace and tranquility. Members of the Orchestra of Southern Utah (OSU) put together several performances on FaceBook with musicians performing in their homes or in small ensembles throughout the Covid-19 Pandemic. Looking forward, the Orchestra of Southern Utah board of directors has been talking about how to move forward with music and announce the plans for the 2020-2021 concert season. They have talked at length about the best ways to still provide music while also keeping the community, patrons, and musicians safe. It’s with great pleasure that they look forward to being able to perform once again and to bring music to the community of Southern Utah. This concert season will be unique and adaptive; if things should prove to be unsafe for patrons or musicians, the Orchestra plans to continue providing ways that those who enjoy the music OSU provides can still enjoy. This flexibility is largely in part due to the repertoire that has been chosen for this season. Themes for this concert season will include Beethoven, a musical “visit” to Spain, a superhero-themed Jubilee, and young soloists' concert. It is also why the Orchestra is looking to the community for support as OSU navigates through a unique concert season.
The Orchestra of Southern Utah plans to have a full and interactive 2020-2021 season. At the start of the pandemic, the Orchestra utilized their YouTube and Facebook pages. Performing mini-concerts series, in which small groups got together to perform select pieces of music. OSU plans to further these endeavors by streaming and providing online concerts as we navigate and wade through the pandemic. Rebecca Hughes, OSU Manager stated, “[it is] our commitment to provide and uplift our community with music during these times.” Hughes went on to really hit home the YouTube and Facebook platforms, stating that they have been “providing a feed of wonderful soul-enriching music.” Exploring online platforms and technology, the Orchestra has found ways to still perform, the Orchestra of Southern Utah is excited to provide concerts to a wide range of audiences that will allow people to enjoy the Orchestra concerts that they love from the comfort and safety of their homes.
A huge question that has been asked by many is, “what will the Orchestra do about Messiah”? With the generosity of local business support, the Messiah performances are free concerts put on by the Orchestra of Southern Utah every December. The music highlights the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Christ. The Orchestra is joined by a large scale choir, featuring many soloists, as they perform Handel’s most performed and well-beloved piece. “It might not look like it has in previous years,” Hughes mentioned when asked about Messiah. “We are adapting and rolling with the times and needs of our community, and while it won't be our traditional Messiah experience, we are still planning on making it amazing and uplifting.” Further details of how Handel’s Messiah will work this year will be announced as we get closer to performance dates.
The Orchestra of Southern Utah is a community-run Orchestra that is a nonprofit organization. It is primarily funded through ticket sales, state and private foundation funding, and business support and is a beloved part of the Southern Utah area. In the past, the Orchestra has hosted additional funding events, such as the Gold and Silver Soiree to help raise money to purchase new music and to help fund promotional materials for concerts. Many members are local musicians from within Southern Utah and are often volunteer members who come to perform and impart their love of playing music. This year, the Soiree was canceled due to the pandemic, and government funding and grants are uncertain. OSU is turning to their community during this time; while attending live concerts are still on hold due to COVID-19, it is important for the community to help donate to the orchestra in any way that they can. The Orchestra of Southern Utah “appreciate[s] any donations,” Hughes stated. “A purchase of season tickets really helps support our community organization. We need the community's help now more than ever to continue providing the quality performances patrons and audiences have come to expect and love.”
Special thanks for essential financial support to the RAP Fund under Cedar City Corporation, Leavitt Group, State Bank of Southern Utah, Sorenson Legacy Foundation, Utah Division of Arts and Museums, Leavitt Foundation, Rocky Mountain Power Foundation, and individual donors.
While this music season is sure to be one filled with a high learning and adapting curve, the Orchestra of Southern Utah is excited for a music-filled season. Season tickets can be purchased from the OSU website at www.myosu.org and also at the Final Friday Art Walk. For more information on the Orchestra of Southern Utah, please visit the website www.myosu.org and follow the Orchestra of Southern Utah’s Facebook and YouTube platforms. For any additional questions, please contact OSU Manager Rebekah Hughes at osucedarcity@gmail.com.
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More information:
Rebekah Hughes
Phone: (435) 590-6829
Email: beckyosucedarcity@gmail.com
2019 Handel's "Messiah" performance
Dr. Xun Sun directing Handel's "Messiah" in 2019
Donations welcome as we add more onstage rehearsals and other expenses to keep our musicians, staff, and audience safe. Thanks to everyone who participates in your orchestra: musicians, staff, audience, and extended musical family.
Orchestra of Southern Utah
P.O. Box 312
Cedar City, UT 84721
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Overview of the Orchestra of Southern Utah on Chamber of Commerce video
