Utah Symphony Jingles into Holiday Season with Evening of Holiday Swing

Utah Symphony Jingles into Holiday Season

with Evening of Holiday Swing

The Utah Symphony presents "Holiday Swing"
Abravanel Hall, Friday Dec. 13, 8:00 PM / Saturday Dec. 14, 8:00 PM
Eccles Center, Park City, Sunday, Dec. 15, 7:30 PM

Get ready to jingle with Utah Symphony as Principal Pops Conductor Jerry Steichen brings festive merriment to Abravanel Hall for an evening of “Holiday Swing” December 13 and 14, 2013 with guest trumpeter and vocalist Byron Stripling.

Holiday classics include “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”, “Silent Night” and “White Christmas”, and some unexpected jazzy toe-tappers like “Blue Christmas” and “Cool Yule”. Byron Stripling has been called a “spectacular trumpeter with a very wide range, a beautiful tone, and the ability to blend together many influences into his own style”. He is joined by pianist Bobby Floyd, whose unique and inspirational style has led him to many distinguished appearances around the world and drummer Robert Breithaupt, who enjoys one of America's most diverse musical careers. They are also joined locally by Salt Lake area bassist Denison Angulo.

Utah Symphony will perform its seasonal pops concert in collaboration with the Park City Educational Foundation. Holiday Swing is presented with Principal Pops Conductor Jerry Steichen and guest trumpeter and vocalist Byron Stripling at Eccles Center in Park City on Sunday, December 15 at 7:30 pm.

Tickets can be purchased by phone at (801) 355-2787, in person at the Abravanel Hall ticket office (123 W. South Temple) or online by visiting www.utahsymphony.org.

Denison Angulo, Bassist
Denson Angulo is one of the most sought-after bassists in the Salt Lake City metro area. With a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in classical performance and jazz studies, and skills in an abundance of music styles, Denson has worked extensively as an educator and freelance professional playing electric bass, acoustic jazz, and classical double bass. A sample of his credentials include international tours to China, Taiwan, Australia, and most of Europe; performances with jazz greats Bob Mintzer, Bob Berg, Randy Brecker, Victor Wooten, Nicholas Payton, Bob Sheppard, Jamey Aebersold, Wycliffe Gordon, Denis DiBlasio, Kathy Kosins, Tom Scott, Shelly Berg, Bobby Shew, Gregg Bissonette, Carl Allen and many others. As a classical musician, he has recorded for ESPN, ABC, NBC television, DreamWorks Pictures, and LDS motion pictures, and performed solo bass repertoire with the Honolulu Symphony.

As an educator he has maintained private bass studios for over 20 years. He has traveled the inter-mountain west as an adjudicator and clinician and bass professor at BYU-Idaho, Utah State University, Utah Valley University, SLCC, and Snow College.

Currently, Dr. Angulo's main appointment is at the University of Utah; teaching jazz bass and coordinating the jazz combo program. He is in frequent demand teaching and performing all over Utah and throughout the United States.

Robert Breithaupt, Percussionist
Robert Breithaupt enjoys one of America's most diverse musical careers as a performing musician, arts administrator, college professor, author and entrepreneur. He is Professor of Music and Department Chair of Jazz Studies/Music Industry at Capital University, and has developed one of the most recognized undergraduate percussion programs in the United States.

His performance credits include recordings, appearances, and tours with a wide variety of artists including Eddie Daniels, Monty Alexander, Terry Gibbs, John Abercrombie, Paul Anka and Perry Como. Breithaupt has served as the Executive Director of The Jazz Arts Group of Columbus since 2001 and has held the chair as the drummer of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra since 1981. Breithaupt has served as an extra percussionist with the Columbus Symphony and the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra and continues to perform with many of the nation's finest orchestras and ensembles.

He has received many honors and awards including Bowling Green State University's Outstanding Graduate Award in 2001, and 2004-2005 membership in the Jefferson Center Leadership Academy.

Bobby Floyd, Pianist
The passion with which Bobby Floyd plays piano, organ and keyboards are the result of his natural ability discovered at the age of two, his love of music, and years of practice. Whether performing jazz or gospel, as a soloist, with a trio or big band, his feel is unique and inspirational leading him to many distinguished appearances around the world.

Floyd has performed extensively in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Japan. Touring events include major jazz festivals, concert halls, and numerous night clubs with Ray Charles, Jeff Tyzik, Chris Howes and Sarah Morrow. The prestige associated with Floyd's international appearances can also be witnessed at home. In his hometown, Columbus, Ohio, Floyd has been a feature with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, The Columbus Symphony, and ProMusica Chamber Orchestra sharing the stage with Dionne Warwick, Doc Severinsen, Arturo Sandoval, Faye Robinson and many others.

He has also appeared in a variety of performances opening for Spyro Gyra, Smokey Robinson, Stanley Clarke and George Duke, as well as accompanying other artists like David "Fathead" Newman, Bobby Watson, Greg Osby and Billy Hart.

Tyson Miller, Tenor
Tenor Tyson Miller joins the 2013-2014 Utah Opera Resident Artist Program to perform the roles of Des Grieux in “Fatal Song” and Gastone in “La Traviata”. His recent performances include Bob Boles in “Peter Grimes”andthe Governor in “Candide” at the Aspen Music Festival, preceded by his Lone Star Lyric Opera debut singing Dorvil in “La scala di seta” and Florville in “Il signor Bruschino”.

Holding a Master of Music degree from Rice University, Mr. Miller was a studio artist with Central City opera and has appeared at the CoOperative Opera Program. In 2009, Mr. Miller was awarded the Encouragement award at the Southwest Region Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and in 2010 was granted the Baylor University Thomas Stewart Award for Vocal Excellence. Additional appearances include Ferrando in “Così fan tutte”, Alfred in “Die Fledermaus”, the Stage Manager in “Our Town”, and Mayor Upfold in “Albert Herring”.

Byron Stripling, Trumpeter/Vocalist
With a contagious smile and captivating charm, trumpet virtuoso, Byron Stripling, has ignited audiences internationally. As soloist with the Boston Pops Orchestra, Stripling has performed frequently under the baton of Keith Lockhart, and has been featured soloist on the PBS television special, "Evening at Pops," with conductors John Williams and Mr. Lockhart. Currently, Stripling serves as Artistic Director and Conductor of the highly acclaimed Columbus Jazz Orchestra. Since his Carnegie Hall debut with Skitch Henderson and the New York Pops, Stripling has become a pops orchestra favorite throughout the country, soloing with Boston Pops, National Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Cincinnati Pops, Seattle Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Dallas Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, and Toronto Symphony, to name a few. He has been a featured soloist at the Hollywood Bowl and performs at jazz festivals throughout the world.

An accomplished actor and singer, Stripling was chosen, following a worldwide search, to star in the lead role of the Broadway bound musical, "Satchmo." Many will remember his featured cameo performance in the television movie, "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles," and his critically acclaimed virtuoso trumpet and riotous comedic performance in the 42nd Street production of "From Second Avenue to Broadway." Television viewers have enjoyed his work as soloist on the worldwide telecast of The Grammy Awards. Millions have heard his trumpet and voice on television commercials, TV theme songs including "20/20," CNN, and soundtracks of favorite movies.

Stripling earned his stripes as lead trumpeter and soloist with the Count Basie Orchestra under the direction of Thad Jones and Frank Foster. He has also played and recorded extensively with the bands of Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, Dave Brubeck, Lionel Hampton, Clark Terry, Louie Bellson, and Buck Clayton in addition to The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, The Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, and The GRP All Star Big Band.

Stripling enjoys conducting Seminars and Master Classes at colleges, universities, conservatories, and high schools. His informative talks, combined with his incomparable wit and charm, make him a favorite guest speaker to groups of all ages. Stripling was educated at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York and the Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, Michigan. One of his greatest joys is to return, periodically, to Eastman and Interlochen as a special guest lecturer.

Gretchen Windt, Mezzo Soprano
Originally from Chicago, mezzo-soprano Gretchen Windt has performed in operas and oratorios throughout the country. She has performed regularly with Cincinnati Opera; highlights include Golijov’s “Ainadamar (Fountain of Tears)”, the world premiere of Hailstork’s “Rise For Freedom”, and a touring production of “The Magic Flute” (Third Lady and Papagena).

She was an Apprentice Artist with Sarasota Opera including mainstage performances of “Die Fledermaus”(Ida). She was an Apprentice Ensemble Artist with the Utah Opera, and has subsequently returned to Utah Symphony | Utah Opera for various engagements. Windt was an Apprentice Artist with the Sugar Creek Symphony and Song Festival in Illinois. Recent performances include a concert production of “Così fan tutte” (Dorabella) with the Utah Mid-Winter Song Festival and a concert production of “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” (Rosina) as the Emerging Artist Award recipient for the Expositions: SLC Concert Series.

This season includes performances in “Die Zauberflöte” (Third Lady) and “Falstaff” (Meg Page) with University of Utah Lyric Opera Ensemble, “Salome” (Page of Herodias) with Utah Opera, and “Le Nozze di Figaro” (Cherubino) with Opera Idaho. Ms. Windt completed her Master of Music degree at the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music and her Bachelor of Music Education at North Park University in Chicago, IL. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree from the University of Utah.

Program
       The Utah Symphony presents Holiday Swing
              Jerry Steichen, Conductor
              Byron Stripling, Trumpet/ Vocals
              Bobby Floyd, Piano
              Robert Breithaupt, Drum Set
              Denson Angulo, Bass

Leroy Anderson
       A Christmas Festival

John Frederick Coots
       Santa Claus is Comin to Town ~ Arr. Jeff Tyzik

William Chatterton Dix
       What Child is This ~ Arr. Marty Robinson

Billy Hayes / Jay W. Johnson
       Blue Christmas ~ Arr.Larry Cook

Mikhl Gelbart
       I Have a Little Dreidel ~ Arr. Finkel / Cook

Franz Xaver Gruber
       Silent Night

John Wesley Work, Jr.
       Go Tell It On The Mountain ~ Arr. Dennis Mackrel

Intermission

Herbert
       “March of the Toys” from Babes in Toyland ~ Arr. Otto Langey

Steve Allen
       Cool Yule ~ Arr. Jeff Tyzik

Irving Berlin
       White Christmas ~ Arr. Larry Cook

Pearl Bailey
       A Five Pound Box of Money ~ Arr. Larry Cook

Bob Thiele / George David Weiss
       What a Wonderful World ~ Arr. Albam

Leroy Anderson
       Sleigh Ride

John Newton
       Amazing Grace ~ Arr. Marry / Weister

Isaac Watts
       Joy To The World ~ Arr. Larry Cook


Abravanel Hall
123 West South Temple
Salt Lake City, Utah

Eccles Center
1750 Kearns Blvd.
Park City, Utah


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Salty Cricket Composer Collective Presents Bangin' Brass

Salty Cricket Composer Collective Presents
Bangin' Brass

Bangin' Brass ~ A little brassy, a little percussive. An evening of pieces by Utah Composers for Trumpet, Piano, and 2 Percussionists.
December 16th at the Ladies Literary Club

The inspiration of Utah composers will be put on display at Salty Cricket Composer Collective’s December 16th concert, Bangin’ Brass. The evening will highlight works by Utah Composers for an ensemble of trumpet, piano, and and two percussionists. The performance will be held at the Ladies Literary Club located at 850 E South Temple and will begin at 7:30pm. Tickets are available by calling 801-652-0737 or visiting saltycricket.org. Tickets are 50% off if purchased prior to December 16th.

Explore the minds and musical works of our composers, interpreted by an elite ensemble featuring trumpet (Randolph Lee), piano (Jed Moss) and percussionists Eric Hopkins and Michael Pape. Banging’ Brass will feature a wide array of musical compositions, from eccentric and avant-guarde to more traditional harmony.

ABOUT THE MUSIC:

The stimulating works that will be performed at “Bangin’ Trumpet” represent a large variety of musical styles and inspirations, ranging from Greek mythology, Middle Eastern tributes, as well as pieces that turn inward and explore the logical fallacies of the mind in musical form.

Composer Margot Murdoch’s Argument for Final Consequences was inspired by the weekly podcast “Skeptics’ Guide to the Universe” where the contributors regularly play a game called “Name that Logical Fallacy.” Margot’s piece features a series of pieces that musically demonstrate an array of differing fallacies. Quoting Murdock; “Argument from Final Consequences is a fallacy where cause and effect are confused. This piece musically demonstrates this fallacy by ending in a unexpected way; the last measure is seemingly unrelated to any previous musical material.”

Marden Pond’s Tritonia: Of Sea Swell, Giants, and Diabolicals is a grand piece that will highlight the virtuosity of the performers. Says Pond: “Triton was a mythological Greek God of the sea; the son of Poseidon . . . His chief attribute was the blowing of a conch-shell trumpet, blown to soothe the restless waves of the sea. Triton’s trumpet is also said to have frightened the Gigantes (giants) in battle, its sound being so terrifying that they thought it was the roar of a dark wild beast.” Marden’s piece will showcase a lyrical flurry of trumpet punctuated by virtuosic melody and rich harmonies from the piano.

Extreme virtuosity is again under display in Igor Iachimciuc’s Two Lyrical Pieces The works are “conceived as a journey into musical processes, occurring in piano miniatures by Edward Grieg, who organically incorporated folk music elements into Western music idioms. The unusual instrumentation directed me towards the exploration of different type of lyricism, mixed up with Eastern melodic ornamentations, and Latin American moods.”

The ensemble will play two places by Nathaniel Escher: Trio Sonata and Clarino. Trio Sonata is a short three-movement work that features the trumpet as a soloist against the Vibraphone and Piano. According to Eschler, “In the Scherzo, the trumpet is always at the dramatic forefront. In Maestoso it is antagonistic and struggles for its lead. In Giocoso it taunts at first and then enters a playful banter. Conversely, Clarino is an encore piece for solo trumpet. In the Baroque period, clarino was a virtuoso style of trumpet playing that showed off the upper range of the instrument. Clarino also makes use of extreme contrast in dynamics.”

A revised work by Crystal Young-Otterstrom has a Middle Eastern inspiration. “...quiyan... (Revisted) was originally a piece I wrote in graduate school. Quiyan were basically the prostitutes (although semi ritualized) of ancient Islam and are basically the creators of secular music in the Middle East. I wrote this piece for these used women, utilizing their scales, as a way of giving them voice in the modern era. Crazy hard for pretty much all of the players, I originally wrote this for trumpet and three percussionists. It was a lot of fun to expand the piece, which I had always meant to do, and replace one of the percussion voices with piano, which really is a percussive instrument anyway. There are also a lot of purposedly "out of tune" microtonal notes in the music that comes from the quiyan scales themselves. In this revision, I've cut some of that out, but left the most important microtones.

A venture into more tonal music concludes the program. M. Ryan Taylor’s Leafs from the Diary of an Old Soul was originally conceived as an art song cycle for voice based on the spiritual poetry of George MacDonald, a figure that C.S. Lewis considered to be his spiritual mentor and guide. As Taylor states, “Lewis even included MacDonald as a character in his 'hell to heaven' road trip opus, The Great Divorce. The poetry is excerpted from MacDonald's Diary of an Old Soul, which is 365 short poetic reflections on life, death, and the essence of his beliefs.” This revision features the trumpet as the voice, without words.

ABOUT THE PERFORMERS:

An impressive cast of composers must be backed up by an equally accomplished ensemble. The centerpiece of Bangin’ Brass will be the accomplished trumpeter Randolph Lee, a member of the Orchestra at Temple Square. Lee has performed in some of the most prestigious venues, from Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl. Other performing opportunities include appearances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Utah Symphony Orchestra, Tucson Symphony Orchestra as guest principal trumpet, Philip Glass Ensemble, Utah Festival Opera, Utah Wind Symphony, and various chamber ensembles.

Pianist Jed Moss brings a lifetime of experience, having played in a wide spectrum of locales spanning the nation, from the Los Angeles Philharmonic to the New York Philharmonic, and numerous venues in-between. Moss is featured in numerous collaborative works, being heard with the Prague Orchestra and members of the Martinu Quartet in recorded works for Deseret Book’s “Sunday Morning with Beethoven,” and with Cellist Nicole Pinnell in the CD “Sunday Morning with Classical Cello.” 

Percussionists Eric Hopkins and Michael Pape will be the backbone of the ensemble.

Associate Principal Timpani at Utah Symphony | Utah Opera Eric Hopkins is an artist that has chosen music as his main platform. Eric's performing opportunities have been as diverse as the instruments he plays. Coming to Salt Lake from New York City, Eric brings with him a passion and respect for contemporary music and its boundlessness. The minimalistic music by Steve Reich, the innovative and aleatoric music by John Cage, and the mathematically complex music of Iannis Xenakis are just examples of Eric's interests. As a soloist Eric was the first prize winner of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's 2012 Modern Snare Drum Competition. He can be heard as a vibraphone soloist on the CD, FSU Percussion Ensemble Vol. 1.

Michael Pape is a versatile musician who has made a career as a symphonic percussionist and timpanist. For the past 5 seasons, Mr. Pape held the position of section percussion with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. During the 09/10 season, Michael held a one-year position as section percussion with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. He performed with them on several national and international tours and recordings. He has also has held positions with the Canton (OH) Symphony and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. He has performed and recorded with the Chicago Symphony and has also performed with the Utah Symphony, the New World Symphony (FL), Pittsburgh Opera, Mendelssohn Choir, and the Opera Theater of Pittsburgh. In 2004, Michael was the winner of the 1st prize at the International Snare Drum Competition in Paris, France. Michael received a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University in 2005. Michael has also studied with Chris Deviney, John Soroka, Andy Reamer, and Chris Allen

Ladies Literary Club
850 E South Temple
Salt Lake City, UT
801-652-0737


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Ririe-Woodbury's 50th Anniversary Celebration Momentum

Momentum
Ririe-Woodbury's 50th Anniversary Celebration

MOMENTUM
December 12-14 7:30 pm, 3pm Saturday Matinee

Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company’s 50th Anniversary celebration continues with MOMENTUM, December 12-14 at 7:30pm, with a 3pm Saturday matinee, at the Rose Wagner Center in Salt Lake City. This exciting performance marks the return of 14 of Ririe-Woodbury’s most distinguished alumni dancers to a Company production.

Momentum was originally created by Ririe-Woodbury alumni dancers Jill Voorhees Edwards and Juan Carlos Claudio as a showcase for the work of former company dancers. This year, Ririe-Woodbury presents the outstanding choreographic talents of these alumni, all well-respected artists and educators throughout the country. Among the choreography are four commissioned works by John Allen, Jillian Harris, Stephanie Nugent, and Patrick Damon Rago.

The run is presented in two different programs, one Thursday and Saturday evening, and the other Friday evening and Saturday afternoon.

Choreographers Thursday and Saturday evening include Juan Carlos Claudio, Jill Voorhees Edwards, Jillian Harris, Keith Johnson, Stevan Novakovich, Stephanie Nugent, and Doris Trujillo.

Choreographers Friday evening and Saturday afternoon include John Allen, Chia-Chi Chian, Juan Carlos Claudio, Aaron Draper, Patrick Damon Rago, Emmy Thomson, Andy Vaca and Prentice Whitlow.

This thrilling and up-close experience takes place in the intimacy of the Black Box Theatre at the Rose Wagner Center. Tickets are available now at ArtTix.org or by calling 801-355-ARTS.

In addition to the performance, Ririe-Woodbury will hold a series of Master Classes at the Rose Wagner, December 9, 10, 11 at 9:00 am, and December 14 at 10am with the purchase of a Momentum ticket.

 Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center
138 West Broadway
Salt Lake City, UT
801-297-4213


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Ski Mums Encourages Women to 'Drop the Kids, Hit the Lifts'

Ski Mums Encourages Women to
'Drop the Kids, Hit the Lifts'

A group of local Utah women have banded together to form “Skimums,” a meet-up group for mothers to ski together at Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort, without kids or husbands, and are inviting other women to join them.

“Work, housework, volunteer work … women can come up with a number of things they have to do (usually for others), but we seldom make time for ourselves. Skimums at Snowbird is designed to do just that,” said Skimum Paula, who started the group in 2012. “Our tagline is ‘drop the kids, hit the lifts.’”

Skimums meet every Wednesday, beginning Dec. 4, at 9:30 a.m. at Gadzoom chairlift (conditions permitting). Most are intermediate/advanced skiers. There is no schedule or agenda after meeting at 9:30, except to stop for free hot chocolate at some point during the day. Some Skimums stay just a few hours, and some stay all day.

“Skimums seem to come home in a really good mood,” said Skimum Paula, “No one can explain it – exercise, camaraderie, lack of oxygen, lack of teen angst, who knows!”

Skimums write a blog, found at www.skimums.com, where readers can find more information about the women, and read about the Skimums’ adventures last season.

“The bottom line is that when women give a little to themselves, they’re able to give more to others,” said Skimum Paula.


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