Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Community Music Builds Musical Family

For 20 years the Orchestra of Southern Utah has offered a recital series in Cedar City to showcase individuals and groups making all kinds of music.  We have heard all ages and music from Baroque to bluegrass.  Below are links to a few favorite performances. Join us each Tuesday in Sept. for recitals.

OSU musician Chelsea Gardner with her son and a lovely Irish lullaby:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDmUeF_7odc

Go Over the Rainbow with Village Voices: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OA0simsHBU

Kendra Leavitt on harp and Virginia Stitt on flute perform two Irish folk tunes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLV5tJUEYiM

Down in the Valley to Pray with In Jubilo women's chorus and photographs of Southern Utah: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFSZAMWwDa0

Schubert piano music performed by Christian Bohnenstengel with scenic photos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2q6JekO5LHU

"Stars" from Les Miserables performed by Jacob Pohsander with images from the Hubble telescope: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26PeYUwsHhY

Adrienne Read uses her flute for a Great Train Race: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyY2HvpDjms

Fang Shen and Nina Hansen perform a Ragtime Dance by Scott Joplin with cello duet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmdIQ2-FYl4

Stay in Touch with Your Orchestra:
Website:  http://myosu.org/
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Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Creating New Music and Revisiting Favorites from Orchestra of Southern Utah


The Orchestra of Southern Utah continues to commission new music for memorable concert experiences. Both new pieces became family celebrations as sisters premiered their father's work and a mother and sister played in the orchestra for the composer's premiere.

We've also added a few season favorties favorites below for your listening enjoyment.

American Suite by Keith Bradshaw
Natalie Bradshaw, violin, and Hannah Bradshaw, viola, performed the solo parts for a world premiere of their father's composition. Keith Bradshaw composed the piece for the Orchestra of Southern Utah with support from the Barlow Endowment for Music Composition at Brigham Young University and the Orchestra of Southern Utah. Xun Sun directed the OSU performance. For more photos visit: http://osucedarcity.blogspot.com/2016/04/rhythm-of-dance-ends-season-with.html

American Suite movements:Charleston
Blue Ridge Waltz
Flibberty Jitterbug
Slow Me Down Blues
Dance Down the Barn

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn2WQ1zm2O8

Soloists with their father and composer, Keith Bradshaw

Hannah Bradshaw, OSU Conductor Xun Sun, and Natalie Bradshaw















Polynesian Rhapsody by Jacob Lee
Last season Jacob was featured as a composer and when we were looking for music for our "Aloha Jubilee" there wasn't a suitable piece for orchestra so we commissioned new music which included choir singing in Maori. Performance by Orchestra of Southern Utah, directed by Xun Sun, Feb. 25, 2016. Choir directed by Jackie Riddle-Jackson. This piece was commissioned by the Orchestra of Southern Utah.

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=923DQWrh7UU

Conductor Xun Sun, Jacob's sister Katherine Maxwell, composer Jacob Lee, and his mother Caroleen Lee, OSU violinist
Jacob's extended family came to the concert to celebrate his new music.


A favorite piece for this season was from the movies.
Pirates of the Caribbean Medley by Badeit and Ricketts Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za3zcOVax-o


West Winds Flute Trio includes Adrienne Read, to left.

The Great Train Race by Ian Clark
Adrienne Read performed this piece in the OSU 2015 Fall Recitals. She made her flute sound like a train. Music can conjure all kinds of emotions and experiences.
Video Link: 
https://www.youtube.com/watchv=qyY2HvpDjms&index=7&list=PLVjdLybiM40mzTvWeeI6PD5qxScFWbykC

In Jubilo performed in the Fall Recitals 2015 under the direction of Jackie Riddle-Jackson

Soundings by Janice Kimes
Sometimes music creates mystery and wonder. This vocal and piano piece explores sound with the women's choir In Jubilo under the direction of Jackie Riddle-Jackson.
Video Link:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?:v=ZB8SiCfapXY&index=9&list=PLVjdLybiM40mzTvWeeI6PD5qxScFWbykC

More Orchestra of Southern Utah videos available at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9nsAT3-XJ5YFB-_ENUw2BQ
Stay in Touch with Your Orchestra:
Website:  http://myosu.org/

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Friday, March 18, 2016

"Rhythm of Dance" with Orchestra of Southern Utah

The Orchestra of Southern Utah explores the wonderful world of music written for dancing and inspired by dancers: from the Baroque era to modern music, including a dance from China on April 21, 2016, 7:30 p.m., Heritage Center.  (Full article: http://osucedarcity.blogspot.com/2016/03/rhythm-of-dance.html )

(Photos from the NYC Dance Project, except as noted)
Ballerina Misty Copeland recreating Degas paintings.



Dancing, art, and music are great partners in expressing human emotion. Folk dances are the foundation, followed by the aristocratic dances of the Baroque and Classical era.  Ballet and modern dancing evolved and continue to redefine movement.

Baroque Besetzung Quartett of Berlin recreates Baroque era music and clothing.

Bach - Suite no. 3 in D major for orchestra, BWV 1068 - Gavotte I and II, Bourree, Gigue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFrDnfnfaOo
The Flute Concert of Sanssouci by Adolph Menzel evokes the Classical era of Mozart
Mozart Minuetto from Symphony No. 40:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrEsCzapY90


Wedding Dance by Pieter Bruegel gives the feeling of peasant dances by Dvorak.

Antonin Dvorak was a Romantic era composer from the Czech region who incorporated folk and gypsy elements into his compositions.  Enjoy this exuberant music.
Slavonic Dance No. 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8HgrSjkdEk

Slavonic Dance No. 8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrOosUb0shw

Polka from Czech Suite https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smIB0aC7XCY&list=PL4BACD4372E721A6C

Canyon Vista Middle School performs "Summer Dances" by Brian Balmages in 2011 in San Antonio, Texas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4NWVNi1eMo

Offenbach: Overture to "Orpheus in the Underworld": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqXA5UMy1yc
includes the famous Can-Can


Radetzky March, Op. 228, is a march composed by Johann Strauss Sr. in 1848.
The piece has become a popular finale for New Year's celebrations in Vienna with the Vienna Philharmonic.

Music alone:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eab_eFtTKFs
Franz Welser-Möst conducts Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra for a New Year's Celebration with audience participation in 2011: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYYTdt
Rrg8M

Yao Dance with Vienna State Opera Orchestra
Music by Liu Tieshan and Mao Yuan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CwiSJh84Do


(Photo of White Sleeve Dance) http://absolutechinatours.com.au/tang-dynasty-singing-dancing-show-blog_25.html


dedicated to the Field Marshal Joseph Radetzky von Radetz and soon became quite 


popular among regimented marching soldiers. It has been remarked that its tone is more 


celebratory than martial; Strauss was commissioned to write the piece to commemorate 


Radetzky's victory at the Battle of Custoza.


For the trio, Strauss used an older folk melody called "Alter Tanz aus Wien“ or "Tinerl-


Lied“ (Tinerl was a popular singer of the day) which was originally in 3/4 time. When 


Radetzky came back to Vienna after winning the battle of Custoza (1848), his soldiers 


were singing the then-popular song. Allegedly Strauss heard this singing and 


incorporated the melody, converted to 2/4 time, into the Radetzky March.[1]

Radetzky March, Op. 228, is a march composed by Johann Strauss Sr. in 1848. It was


dedicated to the Field Marshal Joseph Radetzky von Radetz and soon became quite 


popular among regimented marching soldiers. It has been remarked that its tone is more 


celebratory than martial; Strauss was commissioned to write the piece to commemorate 


Radetzky's victory at the Battle of Custoza.


For the trio, Strauss used an older folk melody called "Alter Tanz aus Wien“ or "Tinerl-


Lied“ (Tinerl was a popular singer of the day) which was originally in 3/4 time. When 


Radetzky came back to Vienna after winning the battle of Custoza (1848), his soldiers 


were singing the then-popular song. Allegedly Strauss heard this singing and 


incorporated the melody, converted to 2/4 time, into the Radetzky March.[1]







Johann Strauss Sr. "Radetzky March" performed by Vienna Philharmonic
at New Year's Concert 2011 directed by Franz Welser-Möst
Radetzky March: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eab_eFtTKFs​

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Thursday, February 4, 2016

"Rhythm of Sea" with Orchestra of Southern Utah

Are you ready to head to a tropical beach?  Music can help transport you to the islands:
Poster designs by Rollan Fell.

Come and hear these pieces live with the Orchestra of Southern Utah on Feb. 25:

Performance by SUU Polynesian Club dancers and the world premiere of "Polynesian Rhapsody" by Jacob Lee, commissioned by OSU for these Feb. concerts.

 Pirates of the Caribbean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws5bNYNm7ac

Complete Scheherazade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQNymNaTr-Y  featruing Katherine Maxwell as violin soloist.

Cuban Overture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A76ISHx_Wg


 From a previous Carribbean adventure with the Orchestra of Southern Utah: The Orchestra of Southern Utah and special guests Caribbean Sound performed Archipelago by Barry Olsavsky during the Capturing the Caribbean concert on February 21, 2013, in Cedar City, Utah. The steel pan was a welcome edition to the Orchestra's annual concert, bringing the summer sun and fun to snow Southern Utah.  "I couldn't stop smiling," one patron commented. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txQwWE7VGDE

Overview of Capturing the Carribbean concerts:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRgPz6YtYZo

 Music from Hawaii performed by Steve Downs and friends on an OSU recital: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oEJi2QYads
More information on Feb.  11-13 Aloha Jubilee and STEAM Festival: http://osucedarcity.blogspot.com/2016/01/orchestra-of-southern-utah-aloha.html


Aloha Jubilee and STEAM Festival 2016

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Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Music for Christmas and Holiday Celebration

At this joyous time we want to wish you and family every happiness and invite you to enjoy some of our favorite music.

What else do you suggest we add?  Suggestions welcome in comments or send to osucedarcity@gmail.com  Thanks for your input.

Added for 2025:
Christmas A La Vivaldi

Added for 2023:
Greensleeves arrangement we used for our Holiday Magic concert.

Sleigh Ride by LeRoy Andersen

Mary, Did You Know performed by Lorah Bodie on her song website towards the bottom. (Lorah was one of the soloists in our Rock Gold concert)

Coloring page from Dover Books samples


Added for 2022:
Aled Jones and 12 year old Malakai M Bayoh sing ‘O Holy Night’ https://fb.watch/hBYNu36yk_/

Holst: In the Bleak Midwinter - Arr. Kanneh-Mason · By Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Isata Kanneh-Mason  for cello and piano

Literally meaning, “these candles”, Haneirot Halalu is traditionally sung right after lighting the Hanukkah candles. The song is about the holiness of the candles and how their purpose is to commemorate the events of Hanukkah.

Added for 2021:

Friendly Beasts sung by children (includes lyrics under more information and live animals in video)

Wonderful Time of the Year featuring Andy Williams includes an animation

O Come, O Come Emmanuel with Piano Guys

Dover art samples to download and color




 Added for 2018:
Piano Guys, choir and handbells: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyVEKsNFDjw

The First Noel - Jenny Oaks Baker & Family Four
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCFIXsVNAOU&feature=share

 Burl Ives: Have a Holly Jolly Christmas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=DtVxFi9C0RA

 Jackson 5 with Santa Claus is Coming to Town: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=gmUW2pVAopc
Carol of the Bells with Mannheim Steamroller: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=NVftSkNgJTA

 Dean Martin with Let It Snow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN7LW0Y00kE

 Handel's Messiah Selections from the Orchestra of Southern Utah:
2016 performance poster

2017 performance poster

Every Valley, 2012 featuring Larry Johnson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqxH5RpEDyM
Hallelujah, 2014: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRhjWdr-LAA, 2014:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU5I-Bk715k

Piano Guys: 
Angels We Have Heard on High: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n543eKIdbUI
More Piano Guys videos at: https://www.youtube.com/user/ThePianoGuys

Stained glass is rhythm in color: 
http://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/stained-glass-windows#8

 Jenny Oaks Baker :
Wexford Carol with Alex Sharpe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Mefkn58Mzs
Ding Dong Merrily On High with Dancers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTDZg0fp31I

Interactive carols, suitable for children from Video Ideas, the team that produced our Spanish Trail video:  http://www.videoideas.com/bellhero/

Classic Performances: 
Bing Crosby "White Christmas" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJSUT8Inl14
Nat King Cole "Christmas Song":
Julie Andrews "I Saw Three Ships" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-nBBy71wQ8

 2016 Additions thanks to suggestions:
 Bethlehem Down https://youtu.be/-z3Tz5AIsa0
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. https://youtu.be/jxxTHzERTsk

Let us know what else we should add:  osucedarcity@gmail.com

Merry Christmas from your orchestra


2015 Performance
2021 Performance

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Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Celebrate 150th Anniversary of Jean Sibelius with the Orchestra of Southern Utah


(8 December 1865 – 20 September 1957)
Born into the Russian Empire and nurtured Finnish independence through his great music.

Finlandia is an example of nationalistic music for Finland.
Video includes scenery from Finland including northern lights and wildlife:

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5zg_af9b8c

(poster design by Rollan Fell)

“Rhythm of Sibelius” Concert Celebrates 150 Anniversary
By Kristin Beauchamp-Butt
The Orchestra of Southern Utah will celebrate the music and life of Jean Sibelius with their November 12th concert, “The Rhythm of Sibelius.”  Three Sibelius pieces (Finlandia, Waltz Triste, and Symphony No. 6) will be played in observation of his 150th birthday in December.  Additionally, this concert will provide a unique opportunity to hear live music played on the pipa, an instrument that originated in China over 1500 years ago.
            Perhaps Sibelius’s most well-known work, Finlandia was written in 1899 for a clandestine political protest.  Living in an uncertain time in Finland’s history, Sibelius wrote the piece to depict the struggles of the Finnish people.  The piece contains the Finlandia Hymn, a segment that was later taken as a stand-alone song with lyrics added in 1941.  It has become one of the most important national songs in the country, and the melody has also been included in alma maters, national anthems, and Christian hymns.
            Waltz Triste, the sad waltz, was written by Sibelius for one of his brother-in-law’s plays.  Though originally part of the incidental music for the play, it quickly earned a place as a concert piece.  The waltz was popular with audiences when it debuted in 1903, and continues to be popular today.
            Symphony No. 6 has been described by Sibelius as offering “cold spring water” in reference to the relative simplicity that stood in contrast to some of the more elaborate pieces of his time.  The piece had sentimental value to Sibelius, and always reminded him “of the scent of the first snow.” 
            The Concerto for String Orchestra and Pipa, written by Chinese composers Liu Dehai and Wu Zuqiang, will bring an uncommon element into our local concert hall.  Xinwen Fu will solo on the pipa, using her talent to display the historical instrument’s range and emotion.  This piece was written in 1973 tells of the heroics of two young children who endure a terrible snowstorm and save the family farm animals.  Their heroics are celebrated in the final portion with the "flowering of thousands of red blossoms".
            The concert will begin at 7:30 pm at the Heritage Theater.  Tickets are available at the Cedar City Heritage Theater Box Office by calling 435-865-2882 or online at http://www.heritagectr.org/.   Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students, and $30 for groups up to 6.  Because evening concerts are recorded, it is requested that babies and children under the age of six not attend.  Children over the age of six are welcome at all OSU concerts with adult supervision.  More information: Emily Hepworth, OSU Manager, 435-233-8213 or osucedarcity@gmail.com.

Listening Links:
Symphony No. 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKhCHvaAc3o

 Pipa Concerto  Composed by 刘德海 Liu Dehai and 吴祖强 Wu Zuqiang,
Part 1:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ig7APkPtWbw
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RRSiWA8J-4
Part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfFOeESnHFk
Two young sisters are trapped in a terrible snowstorm and manage to save the family farm animals.  Their heroics are celebrated in the finale of the piece.
Xinwen Fu plays the solo pipa part for the OSU concert.
More of our favorites from Jean Sibelius:

 Symphony No. 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g82t0AJ1FnY

 Swan of Tuonela features the English horn:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGEOw6cThuU
To Hear an English Horn: http://www.dsokids.com/listen/by-instrument/english-horn/.aspx


 Sibelius Violin Concerto: "There is something immoderate about this concerto that enormously appeals to me. Something vulnerable and unspeakably beautiful, right there along something dark and brooding. They illustrate that not only do darkness and beauty coexist, they enhance each other. How fitting that a Finnish composer should have so aptly illustrated the beauty of light amid so much wintery darkness," wrote .  Full article: http://www.violinist.com/blog/Terez/201510/17123/
Finale performed by OSU with Hillary Dalton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG_Jwi4jyrg

More links and info: http://www.classicfm.com/composers/sibelius/
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