Transformation!

The University of Utah Orchestras succeed in performances for pandemic times.

To say I’m proud of both the Utah Phil and Campus Symphony strings would be an understatement. We began our semester outdoors and ended by playing to an empty concert hall, our audience viewing from the safety of their homes. And although we were challenged at every step with new safety measures and acoustical realities, we have successfully completed what we set out to do. While the safety protocols affected our total number of minutes spent together and performed, we nonetheless reveled in experiences of music by Tchaikovsky, Schubert, Mahler, Garrop, Bartok, Boccherini, Hermann, Still, Mozart, Telemann, Handel, and Saint-Georges. The semester tally for the orchestra program was 43 rehearsals (in a variety of socially-distanced formats), 4 live-streamed concerts, and 5 performance videos.

This is not MY accomplishment, nor only that of those enrolled students in the classes who were on stage for the performances. Rather, this is a team effort in the School of Music. I am happy to be a part of that team—one that encourages, cajoles, urges and celebrates our students — from the private studios to the academic classrooms; chamber music to large ensembles. And this produces students who are more than mere automatons who play notes. This teamwork produces emerging experts, the caring stewards who will carry our art form into the future.

When I was hired here in 2002, a then-senior faculty member told me that I’d never conduct Mahler at this school. He warned me to “not get my hopes up” and said it wasn’t “that kind of school…we don’t attract those types of students.” But I now realize that, all those years ago, that faculty member wasn’t being mean or even openly discouraging. They were simply expressing that they had become stuck in their thinking. This is something I refuse to accept in my approach, back then or now during a pandemic. So now, besides Mahler 2, 4, 5, Die Kindertotenlieder, and Songs of a Wayfarer, I’m happy to add the Mahler transcription of Schubert’s Death and the Maiden to our ever growing Mahler list of repertoire. And there will be works by other composers, famous or not, that will be added next semester. I’m pleased to also accept the challenge to add more lesser-known and new music by composers of underrepresented groups. There’s so much more ahead! Miles to go!

So, I offer my congratulations to the orchestra students and graduate assistants for a fabulous, if weird, semester. You all played with great poise, patience, passion, and commitment. For that, I am eternally thankful.There is always a way forward. I can’t wait for next semester! Stay tuned!

Here’s the Schubert performance videos by the Utah Philharmonia. A truly great testament to how we can move forward during these challenging times. Enjoy!

Schubert videos by movement: