Flute, Performing, Utah Valley Symphony

Out of This Universe

The Utah Valley Symphony presents an “Out of This Universe” concert Thursday and Friday, October 19th and 20th, 7:30 pm at the Covey Center in Provo.

Guest conductor Kory Katseanes directs an experience that brings the cosmos to life at this epic concert! Holst’s “The Planets” will transport you to celestial realms, followed by a thrilling Williams “Star Wars Suite” that’ll ignite your inner Jedi.

Prepare for a musical journey like no other! Plus, come early for the chance to take pictures with your favorite Star Wars character!

Orchestra members will be in costume, and we absolutely encourage you to join the intergalactic fun by dressing up too!

The Planets by Holst requires extra players to create an even bigger, majestic sound. The Planets is definitely on my Top 10 list of favorite pieces to play with the symphony!!! It has some amazing flute parts (there are 4 flute players – our own flute choir within the symphony) and the Star Wars Suite features some exciting flute parts and some beautiful flute solos as well.

Get your tickets early!! Please visit www.utahvalleysymphony.org for tickets and more information about season tickets.

Flute, Utah Valley Symphony

What Can I Learn?

I’ve worked with quite a few conductors in my lifetime of music. Recently I asked myself if I would still play with the Utah Valley Symphony if our current conductor retired.

I’ve worked with our current conductor for over 20 years. Even though he hasn’t retired yet, we had the associate conductor do last season’s concerts and we are having some guest conductors this year. I like the photo above how it appears that the conductor is helping the music emerge from nowhere. It’s as if the conductor is pulling the music out of the darkness. That indeed is one of the things a conductor can do–help pull the music out of the musicians.

Conductors, like people, come in many varied personalities and styles. I’ve been fortunate to have many conductors that I loved working with and others that–well, were different.

Each conductor has their own style, philosophies, analogies, strengths and weaknesses, as we all do. One thing I have been reminded of recently is that you can learn something from everyone, whether we are talking about conductors or neighbors or family members or strangers.

I’m looking forward to this year to see what I can learn from our guest conductors. And since I love music so much and it’s still rewarding to play with the symphony, I anticipate staying for a while, regardless of the conductor.

No matter what our situation is, we can learn to adapt. We can learn to accept. We can learn how to work with others. We can look for the good and ask ourselves each day, “What can I learn from this?”

Utah Valley Symphony

UVS Broadway in Concert

Join us this Wednesday and Thursday, April 12th & 13th, for our Utah Valley Symphony concert. We are presenting Broadway Favorites with selections from Wicked, Hamilton, Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Cats, and more.

We are also performing Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, featuring pianist Sharalyn Heath.

The concert will be conducted by Dr. Blanka Bednarz, internationally acclaimed musician who has recently joined Utah Valley Symphony as Associate Conductor.

It’s sure to be a fun and entertaining evening of music!

Click here for tickets.

Utah Valley Symphony

Young Artists Concert

Brilliant young artists will join the Utah Valley Symphony in concert Wed & Thurs, Feb 23rd & 24th. The soloists will perform works by Rachmaninoff, Handel, Saint- Saëns, Beethoven, and more.

The symphony will also perform Dvořák’s Carnival Overture and The Moldau by Smetena. Great flute parts!

Click here for tickets.

Utah Valley Symphony

Thoughts on Performing

If you came to our superhero symphony concert last week, thank you. If not, you missed out on some concert fun and marvelously majestic music.

During the dress rehearsal and the performances several times I thought to myself, “You know, this is fun. I really enjoying doing this.” Last year, I wondered that if our conductor retired, would I still keep playing in the orchestra. We’ve had a guest conductor for our summer concert and last week’s concert and I’ve decided that the answer is definitely YES. I would still keep playing with the Utah Valley Symphony.

I enjoy playing my flute. I enjoy making music with others. I enjoy the thrill of sitting in the center of the orchestra, the best spot in my opinion. I enjoy the comradery with others. I enjoy performing.

At the beginning of each school year, I send out a list of performance dates to my flute students. The ones who have taken lessons for more than a year expect it. Those who just started lessons inevitably, shall I say, “Freak out”. We have masterclasses, also known as group flute classes, recitals, and festivals throughout the school year.

Scientific evidence supports that learning a musical instrument is great for your brain, but it is also great for your soul and helps build character.

Why do we perform?

To work towards a goal and accomplish it. To stretch yourself. To learn from it. To share with others. To make music and express the emotion, the passion, the energy and the beauty through it.

One of my college professors, Dr. Ted Wight, often said that whatever happened at the recital was not the most important thing. The most important thing was the progress I made since the last recital. I wholeheartedly agree.

A performance is the culmination of time and effort to create a work of art.

Don’t hide from performance opportunities but rather seek them out and embrace each chance to perform.

Music expresses what cannot be put into words and yet cannot remain silent.

Victor Hugo