A combined choral effort brought sweet sounds to the Geary Events Center on Saturday as Dr. Craig Jessop conducted a choir of USU Eastern and community singers.
Accompanied by Elise Tuttle, community instrumentalists and USU Logan music faculty, the free concert, entitled “Let There Be Music,” brought together many talents under Jessop’s direction.
Dr. Jessop is the Dean of The Caine College of the Arts for all USU campuses, a title he will maintain throughout the end of this school year before stepping down. He is well known for his many years as director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (now called the Tabernacle Choir on Temple Square). Adding to his impressive resume are auditions won 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,” event organizers shared prior to the event. “His work as a much sought after guest conductor have taken him to the most prestigious concert halls around the world.”
Saturday’s concert came after a lecture on Thursday entitled “The Power of Music.” Dr. Jessop’s lecture was open to the university as well as the community. His visit to Price also included two days of workshops and rehearsals, culminating with the free performance.
The performance included two combined choir selections by John Rutter, “For the Beauty of the Earth” and “All Things Bright and Beautiful.” They also sang a spiritual, “Let Me Fly,” arranged by Robert DeCormier, and two Mack Wilberg arrangements of “Cindy” and “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” The concert featured musical selections by the Logan Canyon Winds Ensemble and a solo performance on the university’s new Steinway concert grand piano.
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- Photos by Jeff Barrett
