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Thursday, December 12, 2013

Holiday Concerts @ Utah Symphony (SLC: Dec 13 - 14)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UTAH SYMPHONY JINGLES INTO THE HOLIDAY SEASON WITH A WEEKEND OF FAMILY-FRIENDLY FESTIVE PERFORMANCES

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (Nov. 25, 2013) 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 Tripling.

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 Tripling 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.

Then on Saturday, December 14, join Associate Conductor Vladamir Kulenovic for two kid-friendly, 45- minute long Lollipops concerts that pay homage to every child’s favorite man in red. The jolly old elf himself will be present at Abravanel Hall lobby for photo opportunities prior to the Here Comes Santa Claus concerts, which run at 11 am and 12:30 pm.

Get into the spirit of the season with traditional favorites including “Waltz of the Flowers” from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, O Holy Night and Winter Wonderland.

RELATED EVENTS
Utah Symphony Opera Latinos
unites local Latinos through a love of classical music and social events. The group’s second reunion takes place at Abravanel Hall on December 14th at 12.30 pm for Here Comes Santa Claus! Utah Sol members will have a block of tickets reserved. Special priced tickets are available for $7.00 per ticket. Join the group at http://www.facebook.com/UtahSol

Call Shawn Fry at 801-869-9046 for tickets or performance information.

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 (1750 Kearns Blvd., Park City) on Sunday, December 15 at 7:30 pm.

TICKET INFORMATION
Single tickets for the performance start at $18 and 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. Season subscribers can purchase discounted tickets by contacting (801) 533- 6683. Those desiring group discounts should call (801) 869-9046. All ticket prices are subject to change and availability, and will increase $5 when purchased on the day of the performance.

GUEST ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES
About 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.

Media Contact: Renée Huang | Public Relations Director rhuang@usuo.org | (801) 869-9027
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.

About 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 Severinson, Artural Sandaval, Faye Robinson and many others.

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

About Abigail Levis, Lyric Mezzo Soprano
Named "Debut Artist of the Year" by the Joy in Singing Foundation, lyric mezzo-soprano Abigail Levis is emerging as one of the most exciting young singers of today. The “Boston Musical Intelligencer” praised her for her “dramatic style” and “high level of technical ability” in her performance in “Israel in Egypt” with the Handel and Haydn Society in Symphony Hall. She is a recent graduate of the Vocal Arts program at the Bard College Conservatory where she studied with Edith Bers and Dawn Upshaw. Ms. Levis has appeared as a soloist with the American Symphony Orchestra, Ars Lyrica Houston, and the New York Opera Exchange in addition to the Handel and Haydn Society. She is also the winner of several competitions, including the 2012 Classical Singer Competition, the 2012 Oratorio Society of New York Competition (second place), a 2012 Schuyler Grant, the 2011 Five Towns Music Competition in Long Island, the 2011 Young Texas Artist competition, the 2010 University of Houston Concerto Competition, the 2010 National Orpheus Vocal Competition. She is currently a Young Artist with Utah Opera.

About 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” and the 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”.

About Byron Tripling, 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, as well as being 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, Toronto Symphony, and Dallas 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, Louis 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.

About 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 (Voice of the Fountain), 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 Cosi 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 Zauberflote (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
Abravanel Hall, 123 West South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah
Friday December 13, 2013, 8:00 PM / Saturday December 14, 2013, 8:00 PM
Eccles Center, 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, Utah
Sunday, December 15, 2013, 7:30 PM


**Concert is presented in collaboration with Park City School District and Christian Center of Park City.

Jerry Steichen, Conductor
Byron Stripling, Trumpeter/ Vocalist Bobby Floyd, Piano
Robert Breithaupt, Drum Se
t
Leroy Anderson
John Frederick Coots
Arr. Jeff Tyzik
William Chatterton Dix
Arr. Marty Robinson
Billy Hayes/Jay W. Johnson Arr.Larry Cook
Mikhl Gelbart
Arr. Finkel/Cook
Franz Xaver Gruber
John Wesley Work, Jr.
Arr. Dennis Mackrel


INTERMISSION
Herbert
Arr. Otto Langey
Steve Allen
Arr. Jeff Tyzik
Irving Berlin
Arr. Larry Cook
Pearl Bailey
Arr. Larry Cook
Bob Thiele/George David Weiss Arr. Albam
Leroy Anderson
John Newton
Arr. Marry/Weister
Isaac Watts
Arr. Larry Cook

Program
A Christmas Festival
Santa Claus is Comin to Town

What Child is This
Blue Christmas
I Have a Little Dreidel
Silent Night
Go Tell It On The Mountain

“March of the Toys” from Babes in Toyland Cool Yule
White Christmas
A Five Pound Box of Money

What a Wonderful World
Sleigh Ride Amazing Grace
Joy To The World

The Utah Symphony presents Here Comes Santa Claus!
Abravanel Hall, 123 West South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah
Saturday December 14, 2013, 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM
Vladamir Kulenovic, conductor Gretchen Windt, Mezzo Soprano Tyson Miller, Tenor
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky "Waltz of the Flowers" from Nutcracker Suite, op. 71a Adolphe Adam O Holy Night

Arr. Arthur Harris
Georges Bizet
Irving Berlin
Arr. Roy Ringwald Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Felix Bernard

Arr. Calvin Custer Johnny Marks
Arr. James D. Ployhar Leroy Anderson Johann Strauss Sr. John Finnegan

About the Utah Symphony
"Farandole" from Suite No. 2 from L'Arlésienne White Christmas
"The Sleighride", No. 3 from Three German Dances, K. 605

Winter Wonderland
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Sleigh Ride Radetzky March Christmas Singalong

Founded in 1940, the Utah Symphony is dedicated to providing Utah residents and visitors with great performances which engage, educate and enrich lives. Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, the orchestra’s parent organization, reaches 450,000 citizens in Utah and the Intermountain region, with educational outreach programs serving more than 200,000 students annually. The orchestra presents more than 70 performances each season in Abravanel Hall, participates in the Utah Opera's four annual productions at the Capitol Theatre, in addition to numerous community concerts throughout Utah and the annual outdoor summer series the Deer Valley® Music Festival –in Park City, Utah. With its many subscription, education and outreach concerts and tours, the Utah Symphony is one of the most engaged full-time orchestras in the nation. For more information visit www.utahsymphony.org.
***
Season Sponsor for Utah Symphony| Utah Opera is the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation.
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