Southern Utah University will launch its new Music Signature Series with a performance by Khemia Ensemble at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, in Okerlund Concert Hall at the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Music Center.
The concert will feature the ensemble’s approach to contemporary classical music, combining traditional chamber music with multimedia and influences from multiple musical genres.
The performance marks the first concert of the 2026-27 SUU Music Signature Series, which expands the university’s former Satellite Salon Series into four annual concerts featuring nationally and internationally recognized musicians.
Khemia Ensemble features eight musicians playing soprano, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano and two percussion instruments. Its distinctive instrumentation allows the group to explore new classical works and a variety of musical styles.
Dr. Jed Blodgett, faculty director of SUU Signature Series, said Khemia Ensemble is an ideal choice to launch the series.
“Khemia Ensemble is the perfect fit to launch the new SUU Signature Series,” Blodgett said. “They offer cutting-edge programming and a unique instrumentation that allow them to not only share something special with our community, but connect individually with SUU music students across all areas of our department.”
The ensemble has performed at venues and festivals including National Sawdust, the Mizzou International Composers Festival and Argentina’s Biennial New Music Festival. It has also commissioned and premiered more than 130 works by professional and student composers.
The Signature Series aims to connect professional performance with music education. Visiting artists participate in educational opportunities with SUU and area students, including masterclasses and question-and-answer sessions.
Khemia Ensemble’s residency will also include a partnership with ArtsFusion to connect musicians with students in the Iron County School District.
“We will produce four concerts a year in the new state-of-the-art Okerlund Concert Hall to inspire regional audiences through extraordinary live performances and give our students direct access to today’s leading musicians,” Blodgett said. “We look forward to bringing our campus and community together around extraordinary music spanning classical, jazz, and world traditions.”
Tickets cost $20 for adults, $15 for SUU alumni and $10 for youth and non-SUU students. SUU students, faculty and staff can attend for free with a valid university ID.
Tickets can be purchased here.
Author: Fangqi Zhou
Photo: Courtesy of Khemia Ensemble
Editor: Charlee Steed
arts@suunews.net
