October 2023 School of Music Journal

Choosing to Share

Life is difficult. It just is. It’s difficult, hectic, chaotic and exhausting—at least a lot of the time. Sometimes it feels like there is hardly a second to spare for refilling our own well, let alone time to look for ways to help others refill theirs. But if we can slow down a little and pause to reflect on all the goodness and wonderfulness that is part of our lives each day, we can find simple ways to share.

And the truly amazing thing I have found is when we try to find one simple way to bring some small light to someone else, that single act is returned to us many times over, amplified and magnified. Recently, I was in a convenience store. As I approached the register, the cashier looked up and gave me the warmest and kindest smile I had seen in a long time. As I left the store, I felt I needed to tell her how brilliant her smile was and did so, and her smile beamed all the brighter! We both were lifted and edified by her simple act of genuine kindness.

Sharing whatever light we can muster on any given day will result in the principle of abundance that is found plentifully in the teachings of Jesus Christ. We will find our weary arms lifted and heavy souls lightened. And then, with hope and perseverance, we will find our desire and ability to share light grow and magnify as well.

With Appreciation, Mark Ammons

Highlights from September

The BYU School of Music welcomed its students, faculty, and staff to campus with a back-to-school bash! Complete with live performances, a soda bar, and catered J-Dawgs, it was the perfect funfilled kick-off to start a new semester.

The first-ever BYU Bass Day was hosted by bass faculty member Eric Hansen. Over 40 students from all over Utah attended. The gathered bassists performed three works by David Heyes in their final performance: “The Great Wall of China,” “Child’s Play,” and “Tarantella Napoletana.”

The BYU Philharmonic and the combined BYU Choirs provided the music at the inauguration ceremony of President Shane Reese, 14th president of BYU. The performance was featured in an article by Deseret News and can be found here .

The Utah Symphony’s annual ¡Celebración Sinfónica! came to BYU for the first time to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with iconic Latin American orchestral, popular, and traditional music.

Enrico Lopez-Yañez, the Principal Pops

Conductor of the Nashville Symphony, led the Utah Symphony in this celebratory evening.

Photo by Savannah Shiman

Photo via Adobe Stock

BYU Photo © 2023

Poster via arts.byu.edu

Amsterdam-based composer, clarinetist, and analog synth performer Oğuz Büyükberber was joined by faculty improvisation duo RICKSPLUND (Steven Ricks and Christian Asplund) in a concert of free improvisation that included bass clarinet, piano, trombone, and live electronics.

Broadway power couple Santino and Jessica Fontana appeared on stage together at BYU for an unforgettable performance of their favorite pieces. Jessica has played the title role in Cinderella on Broadway, and Santonio won a Tony Award for his performance as Hans in Disney’s hit film Frozen.

Upcoming in October

October 4 Choir Showcase

Known for their polished performances and versatility of genre and style, the four auditioned BYU choirs—Men’s Chorus, Women’s Chorus, Concert Choir, and BYU Singers— will present a varied program of classical and contemporary choral works, featuring special guest composer Dan Forrest. Buy tickets for this event here.

October 5

BYU Symphonic Band

Join the BYU Symphonic Band as they explore hymns, folk songs, and anthems, all written and arranged for band. Enjoy

Screenshot from RICKSPLUND YouTube Video

Poster via arts.byu.edu

BYU Photo © 2017

Photo courtesy of the School of Music

the beautiful BYU Concert Hall and be edified by songs from all genres. Buy tickets for this event here.

October 10

Jazz Showcase: All That Jazz!

Feel the beat! Hear the tunes! Join us for the Jazz Showcase as we celebrate all that jazz! From traditional jazz of the Jazz Legacy Band to sizzling contemporary jazz of Synthesis and everything in between by Jazz Voices and the Jazz Ensemble, everyone will find something they love! Buy tickets for this event here.

October 13

BYU Wind Symphony

The BYU Wind Symphony performs an immersive multimedia work that celebrates the beauty of our planet, Symphony VI: “The Blue Marble,” with film and music by Emmy Award-winning composer Julie Giroux. The concert will also feature the world premiere of Alyssa Morris’s “Moving Mountains,” written specifically for the BYU Wind Symphony. Buy tickets for this event here.

October 17

Tremura & Lee: Beautiful melodies

The Beautiful Melodies program by the eclectic Brazilian guitar/vocal and trumpet duo Tremura & Lee features classical favorites reimagined, timeless Brazilian choro songs, jazz, folk, original compositions, and more. This inviting and relaxing program, featuring BYU professor Randy Lee and

BYU Photo © 2017

Photo courtesy of the School of Music

Photo via https://worldfolk.vision/popular_ vote/navigation_page/profile_2708.phtml

guest artist Welson Tremura, celebrates and shares the joy of music. Attending this event is free.

October 18

Mexico City Woodwind Quintet

Experience the virtuosity of this award-winning chamber ensemble. Dedicated to promoting contemporary music by Mexican and Latin American composers, the Mexico City Woodwind Quintet frequently commissions and premieres new works. In addition to their performances at international music festivals, the group is also known for their commitment to educating young woodwind players through seminars and workshops. Attending this event is free.

October 19

BYU Symphony Orchestra

BYU’s Symphony Orchestra performs Copland’s popular “Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo,” Verdi’s “Forza del Destino,” and more. Buy tickets for this event here.

October 19 & 20 OcTUBAfest

BYU’s annual two-day tuba festival features students and faculty performing classical favorites as well as arrangements of popular songs, film scores, and folk tunes. Attending this event is free.

Photo courtesy of Mexico City Woodwind Qu

BYU Photo © 2017

Photo courtesy of the School of Music

October 16–20

School of Music Spirit Week

The School of Music is inviting students, faculty, and staff to celebrate Homecoming with a week of music and spirit! Celebrate the week by wearing your School of Music t-shirt on Monday, eating pizza in Brigham Square on Tuesday, focusing on a wellness challenge on Wednesday, participating in a social media challenge on Thursday, and attending Concerts at Noon on Friday. Check out the schedule below!

BYU Photo © 2017

Student Accomplishments

Molly Smith was chosen to perform Carmina Burana on opening night with the Brevard Music Center Orchestra on June 23rd. She was also a finalist in the 2023 Jan and Beattie Wood Concerto Competition. Photo courtesy of Molly Smith.

Matthew Paez is the founder and conductor of a community choral ensemble called Santos Chamber Singers. The choir has been invited to perform at the October 2023 ACDA-UT (American Choral Directors Association of Utah) conference. Photo courtesy of BYU Singers.

Randall Smith won the prestigious Spheres of a Genius: Honoring Carla Bley international jazz competition with his composition, “Blue Bongo Fever Dream.” The work will premiere on October 4, 2023, in the main hall of the Vienna Konzerthaus with the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra. Learn more about Randall’s accomplishment by clicking here. Photo courtesy of Randall Smith.

The BYU Singers released a new album called Inexpressible Wonder. Directed by Andrew Crane, the choir brings peace and harmony to listeners. The album contains 14 songs, several of them being live recordings. To listen to the album, click here. Photo by BYU Photo, © 2017.

Experiential Learning

Ariana Abadia Flores performed in the opera Serse as Romilda, singing nine solo arias as the main soprano. She also performed in the show Opera Goes to the Movies, singing segments of Madame Butterfly by Puccini. Each role required different styles, and Ariana was able to attend masterclasses with industry professionals to improve her range of techniques. Photo courtesy of Ariana Flores.

Claire Peterson (second from right) attended the Brevard Music Center Summer Festival in North Carolina. She participated in chamber music groups, private lessons, and weekly orchestral performances. The performance included modern compositions, a Nielsen symphony, and the soundtrack of a Harry Potter film. Photo courtesy of Claire Peterson.

Julie Brown attended the Intermountain Suzuki Workshop in Draper, Utah, where she completed both the Suzuki Every Child Can (ECC) training and Cello Book 1 training. After completing her training, Julie said, “Anyone has the capacity to learn music if [they are] nurtured in a loving environment.” Photo courtesy of Julie Brown.

Nawaporn Ruangthap (right) spent seven weeks in North Carolina at the Brevard Music Center Summer Festival. “Through the lectures and classes given by instructors at Brevard, I have gained more insight about the art of piano playing, the beauty of music,” said Nawaporn. She was able to participate in piano student recitals, lectures, studio classes, and a masterclass with Roberto Diaz and premier a new chamber work composed by students at the Brevard Center. Photo courtesy of Nawaporn Ruangthap.

Maddie Franklin attended the National Flute Convention held in Phoenix. She performed in three concerts, one of which included an original piece composed by Johnathan Cohen for the convention. Photo courtesy of Maddie Franklin.

Nathan Cox (left) attended the Aspen Music Festival and School—one of the most competitive summer festivals in the US that draws musicians from around the globe together for an intensive eightweek program with weekly performances, private lessons, chamber music coaching, and performance opportunities. Nathan won the concerto competition by playing Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations with the orchestra. Photo courtesy of Nathan Cox.

Sarah Francis went to the University of Utah Chamber Music Workshop, a week of intensive chamber music coaching, workshops, and masterclasses. During one workshop, a theater professor coached Sarah and her

chamber group to move together and combine energies. During their final performance, the group performed Michael Haydn’s Divertimento in C major. Photo courtesy of Sarah Francis.

Zac Adamson (right) presented his research on scale fingerings for pianists at the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy in Lombard, Illinois. After attending many presentations and performances, Zac gained a deeper understanding of diversity and inclusion in piano teaching. Photo courtesy of Zac Adamson.

McKenzie Bahr spent four weeks at the Varna International Music Academy in North Carolina where she performed in two operas, Suor Angelica and Der Schauspieldirektor, and Mozart’s Requiem. Working under Gregory Buchalter, McKenzie performed in theaters throughout Bulgaria and Italy and even starred as Madame Herz in Der Schauspieldirektor during the final show. Photo courtesy of McKenzie Bahr.

MacyLynn Keller went to Brussels, Belgium, to participate in the 19th Century Comedie Vaudeville Catalog Project, an undertaking that required MacyLynn to search for, catalog, and handle original scores. MacyLynn studied the original scores of music from her field and said, “Working with these scores made my music history lessons come to life.” Photo courtesy of MacyLynn Keller.

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By Zoey Diede

BYU Alum Becomes Principal Harpist at Met

Just four years after graduating from BYU, Hannah Cope Johnson hit an amazing stride in her musical career when she became the principal harpist in the Metropolitan Opera. How did she get there? Hannah started playing the harp at just five years old. She says of this experience, “My mother took me to every harp lesson, wrote down detailed notes, sat with me, and helped me practice every day when I was young.” By the time Hannah was twelve, she had fallen in love with the instrument. She says, “I always wanted to be a professional

Left: Lincoln Center Plaza, home of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Photo via Adobe Stock.

Right: Hannah sits with her harp.

Photo courtesy of Hannah Cope Johnson.

musician.” Hannah attributes this desire to her dad, Kenneth Cope, who is a singer-songwriter. Hannah’s father was an inspiration and example to her, helping her see that she could be a professional musician one day. “I had no reason not to try,” she states.

When Hannah attended BYU, there were three main factors that enhanced her experience in the School of Music and made an impact on her career: orchestral ensembles, her private studio teacher, and interactions with guest artist events. During her freshman year, Hannah played in an orchestra for the first time, and it helped her learn a new approach to music and grow as a musician. Her studio teacher, Dr. Nicole Brady, taught Hannah essential harp techniques that she continues to use daily. Hannah also recalls that before performing at BYU, visiting artist Johannes Moser, a German-Canadian cellist, took a moment to make eye contact with several audience members. The connection she felt during that experience inspired Hannah to make a conscious effort to connect with her audiences, too.

As principal harpist in the Metropolitan Orchestra, Hannah describes her job as being fulfilling, yet rigorous. The orchestra rehearses multiple operas at one time. The orchestra members are required to be able to jump between operas during rehearsals and performances. Hannah’s repertoire currently consists of fifteen different operas. Because of her skilled harp technique and many hours of practice, she is able to gracefully glide between shows.

Talking about her love for music, Hannah says, “Music is like art in real time. You get to partake, and then it’s gone.” While she does experience love and success in music, Hannah grapples with disappointment and doubt

“There’s no secret sauce for success. It’s just caring about your craft.”

at times. Speaking on how she deals with this, Hannah boldly claims, “There are things I can control, and things I cannot. ... What I can control is how I play and how I feel about the product I am putting out as a musician.” Hannah feels confident in her talents when she focuses on working hard, practicing, and caring about her music. “There’s no secret sauce for success,” she says, “It’s just caring about your craft.”

When she moved out east, Hannah met so many unique people with various stories, and they all had one thing in common—a love for musical art. “There is virtue inside of everyone who’s trying to create this art, this beauty,” she says. Hannah describes that she is able to find and share the light of Christ with others by connecting through this common thread of music. “When you see someone’s art, you see their humanity,” she says.

Click here to watch Hannah perform Rondo on the Trio “Zitti Zitti” from The Barber of Seville.

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By Sarah Griffin

Music Education: A Spectacular Blessing

Like many young musicians, Kirt Saville joined the band program at his local high school. But what some see as simply a requirement, Kirt saw as an opportunity to get involved in one of the best high school jazz programs in the state. While playing lively jazz with his peers and observing the enthusiasm of his conductor, Kirt found his passion for music, and he knew very early on that music education would be his career.

When Kirt was in high school, he sat down in a private lesson to chat with his teacher about his career plans. At that point, Kirt thought that his aspiration might be studio playing until his teacher said this: “If you really want to be on the cutting edge of music, you need to be in education.” His teacher described that in music education, Kirt would always be learning new repertoire, skills, and techniques, and he would

Left: Kirt Stands on the stage of the DeJong Concert Hall. © BYU PHOTO 2017. Right: Kirt and his wife sit in the Tabernacle at Temple Square. Courtesy of Kirt Saville.

be helping a new generation of musicians. So, Kirt came to BYU to pursue his undergraduate degree in music education andveventually went on to get a doctorate degree in education from Utah State University. Everything came full circle when Kirt returned to the BYU music education division as a full-time faculty.

For Kirt, having a career in music was a blessing, and said, “I think of all the people who have lived on the earth, and all the jobs that have been, and how many people could do music, we’re a pretty small number.” Studying music—whether in education or performance—is valuable because “music is part of why we live,” says Dr. Saville. “It expresses things that are profound and individualized for every single one of us. That I could have a career in music is a spectacular blessing.”

Music has not only greatly influenced Dr. Saville’s professional life, but also his faith. Being a band conductor, for example, taught Dr. Saville about how to listen to and recognize the voice of the Spirit. “[As a conductor, I] have to train [myself] to hear the ensemble. And not just the whole ensemble, but I have to be able to hear the first oboe part, the second oboe part. I have to hear the third clarinet part. It’s disciplined listening … I do believe that’s very similar to how we hear the Spirit. There is a lot of noise in the world, but if we can stop and focus our listening to hear the voice of the Lord, what He’s trying to tell us and communicate to us, I think that’s an important way that music helps [us] understand what Heavenly Father would like [us] to do.”

Since his retirement, Dr. Saville has continued to use his musical talents conducting the Utah Premier Brass, a group made of musicians from all across the Wasatch Front. He and his wife have also been called to serve as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Temple Square. There, they manage the Orchestra at Temple Square. “That has been keeping me busy,” says Dr. Saville. “That’s been a very wonderful and rewarding way to keep my music going.”

By Sarah Griffin

Balinese Composer’s Artistic Residency

On the corner of BYU’s campus stands a large sign with a simple motto: “The World Is Our Campus.” This year, the BYU School of Music has brought a bit of the world closer to home by hosting Indonesian composer I Nyoman Windha and his wife, I Gusti Warsiki, an accomplished Balinese dancer, as artistic residents for the 2023–24 school year.

I Nyoman Windha is a household name in the Balinese gamelan genre, and his compositions have found their place in the standard repertoire of many professional Balinese performing groups. Balinese gamelan is a form of Indonesian classical music, characterized by upbeat, rhythmic melodies. It is played with traditional percussion instruments, often

Left: On the corner of BYU’s campus stands a large sign with a simple motto: “The World is our campus.” © BYU PHOTO 2017. Right: I Nyoman Windha and I Gusti Warsiki. Courtesy of Dr. Jeremy Grimshaw.

made of bamboo and bronze, such as xylophones, chimes, and gongs.

Dr. Jeremy Grimshaw, the director of Gamelan Bintang Wahyu (BYU’s Balinese percussion orchestra), has admired Professor Windha’s music for years. In fact, the first piece that Gamelan Bintang Wahyu ever performed was written by Professor Windha. When Dr. Grimshaw had the chance to meet Professor Windha and his wife in Bali in 2017, he eagerly invited the couple to visit BYU as artistic residents.

Artistic residencies are invaluable for students because it gives them the opportunity to be mentored by renowned musicians, conductors, and composers while growing both artistically and musically. Dr. Grimshaw, a long-time admirer of world music and the Gamelan genre, knows first-hand how beneficial studying a variety of genres can be for music students. Because of its complex nature, Gamelan helps students “develop their aural, rhythmic, and ensemble skills … [and] demands close listening and strong memorization skills,” says Grimshaw.

This year, I Nyoman Windha is working personally with Gamelan Bintang Wahyu, BYU’s Balinese Percussion Orchestra, while I Gusti Warsiki is teaching a Balinese dance class. Both classes will join together for a multidisciplinary performance during the Global Rhythm concert on November 4 in the Concert Hall. Gamelan Bintang Wahyu will feature the music of Bali in celebration of Professors Windha and Warsiki’s residency and contributions to both the music and dance departments.

Professor Nyoman Works with Bitang Wahyu. Photo courtesy of Dr. Jeremy Grimshaw

The BYU School of Music seeks truth in great music. We strive to lead in the composition, performance, teaching, and understanding of music and to serve the university, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the world through this divine gift.