On Nov. 14, the SUU Opera Company performed a tribute show to Steven Sondheim in the Thorley Music Recital Hall.
The show was directed, scripted, designed and produced by SUU Professor Carol Ann Modesitt. Modesitt’s background in opera, musical theatre and recital has taken her all over the world, including a solo debut at Carnegie Hall in 2002 during her tour around the United States.
Steven Sondheim is a world-renowned composer based in New York. He has written for many musicals including; “West Side Story,” “Sweeny Todd” and “Into The Woods.” Sondheim has won eight Tony Awards and eight Grammys for his work in the industry.
Playing at the tribute show on the piano was Cameron Blake Kinner, a conductor and music director most notable for his work in Tuacahn’s “Disney’s When You Wish.”
Students showed their talents by performing a solo, duet and quartet in 28 of Sondheim’s classics. The company would tell small details about Sondheim’s life between songs.
To add emotion to the pieces, the whole company was on stage sitting behind each performer.
“I didn’t expect this great of a show from a small group in Cedar City,” says Iris Grant, an SUU sophomore in general studies. “It really blew my expectations out of the water.”
The music department has several shows coming up, including Ashley Stackhouse for her Senior Voice Recital, a Piano/Strings Ensemble Concert and a Jazz Band Concert.
For more information on the music department or upcoming shows at SUU go to suu.edu/pva/music.
Story by: Cairo Cook
cairo.cook@suusuccess.org
Photos by: Cairo Cook
Instagram: @southernutahuniversitymusic
