Symphonic Potpourri

Utah is a very unique state with so many Universities packed closely together, and many of which are less than sixty miles apart. Two of those Universities are UVU and BYU.

Last year in celebration of UVU becoming a University, Eric Hansen, associate professor at BYU came up with the idea of bringing together both the BYU and UVU symphonic orchestras and creating a beautiful blend of music and students. The collaborative efforts were a great success, which prodded the directors, Eric Hansen and Donna Fairbanks to give it another try, "and it should be better this year, because we've learned things from doing it last year, it's going to be fabulous," says Donna Fairbanks, director of UVU string studies.

Putting on a production such as this is actually quite difficult. "Logistically it's been tricky, because neither school has a practice room to house both orchestras, so we really have to wait till just before the concert to rehearse as a group. We can't do it any other way," Fairbanks explained.

However, after all the difficulties are ironed out, and all is said and done, this idea of collaboration and working together as neighboring Universities is all about "fostering fun and playing together as Universities," said Eric Hansen. Hansen loves the opportunity to share talents and produce amazing things together.

A great part of last year's production, which will also be included this year, is the featuring of different musical instructors. Last year Donna Fairbanks soloed, she commented, "I was highlighted last year and this year it seemed appropriate to highlight Eric Hansen," on the string bass. For anyone familiar with the string bass, they know that there are few pieces that feature a solo for this instrument, so this will be especially exciting to hear. Hansen described his solo as, "a step in the confidence darkness." Hansen will be playing Eccles Sonata, for string bass and orchestra.

Also to be featured this year is Matthew Nelson, who is a brand new faculty member, "and a fabulous clarinetist," as Fairbanks describes him. Nelson will be playing Mozart's Clarinet Concerto, "it deserves recognition it's going to be great," says Fairbanks.

The students who participate in this grand event have really enjoyed getting to know the students from just a few miles away. "They sit next to their counter parts from the other schools and enjoyed getting to know the other students," says Fairbanks. She also says, "We have these two Universities so close, it makes all the sense in the world to do a collaborative effort. It's a new venture, and hopefully it'll become a tradition. So far it's been a lot of fun, we've enjoyed it."

As it's name beautifully describes, the "Symphonic Potpourri" will include symphonic classics, though none in their entirety, as well as popular show tune type music. There will be different styles, feelings and moods, as Hansen describes, there will be a "retro feel to the concert."

This fantastic evening which will be highlighting a mixture of music as well as students and faculty talent will be held on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009, at the Covey Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $7.00, or $5.00 for students and seniors. This is a wonderful opportunity to see what is possible when two groups of talented musicians come together to celebrate the beauty which is music.