Press Release
Have you ever wanted to sing under the direction of world renowned conductor Dr. Craig Jessop? You may just get that chance here in Price in January. Dr. Jessop is coming as a guest conductor for a unique opportunity for USU Eastern choirs and community singers. The group will be accompanied by Elise Tuttle, select community instrumentalists, and the Logan Canyon Winds, a quintet of USU Logan music faculty.
Dr. Jessop is the Dean of The Caine College of the Arts for all USU campuses and will soon be stepping down as dean at the end of this school year. He has already done much to support and strengthen the arts at USU Eastern, but wants his outreach to extend to our community at large. His visit to Price will include a community lecture and two days of workshops and rehearsals, culminating in a free performance at the Geary Events Center.
Many know Dr. Craig Jessop for his many years as director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and as the music director and founder of the American Festival Chorus and Orchestra. However, his distinguished resume also includes solo work, having won auditions at the Metropolitan Opera and San Francisco Operas. His decades of experience directing some of the most elite choirs and bands across the United States and Germany make him famous and have resulted in the most coveted music awards. His work as a much sought after guest conductor have taken him to the most prestigious concert halls around the world.
On Jan. 26, Dr. Jessop can add the Geary Events Center to his long list of prestigious venues. And thanks to generous donors, the Geary Theater now has a Steinway Concert Grand Piano Model D to make this and all future music events scintillating.
As a student of music himself, Jessop has had the opportunity to sing under the most legendary choral directors Helmuth Rilling, John Rutter and Robert Shaw. Those experiences, along with three music degrees from USU, Brigham Young University and Stanford, have given him a wealth of experience to draw from and help shape his own career as conductor. And soon, he will be providing our community and USU Eastern Choirs with a similar opportunity to learn from one of the best.
The January performance will include two combined choir selections by John Rutter, “For the Beauty of the Earth” and “All Things Bright and Beautiful.” They will also sing a spiritual,
“O Let Me Fly,” arranged by Robert DeCormier, and two Mack Wilberg arrangements of “Cindy” and “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” The concert will also feature musical selections by the USU choirs and the Logan Canyon Winds Ensemble.
If you are interested in singing, you need to contact Liz Bryner at priceutahchorale@gmail.com. Although auditions are not required, applicants must have previous experience in audition choirs or be willing to audition. The commitment includes purchasing your own music (around $17 payable to USU Eastern), learning the music on your own, as well as attending three to four weekly rehearsals before the honor choir weekend. Community singers will be required to attend rehearsals with Dr. Jessop on Friday, Jan. 25 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., in addition to being on call for the 7:30 p.m. performance.