ARTISTS’ PROFILES

German conductor Kevin John Edusei is sought-after worldwide, dividing his time equally between the concert hall and opera house. He is praised repeatedly for the drama and tension that he brings to his music-making, for his attention to detail, sense of architecture, and the fluidity, warmth, and insight that he brings to his performances. In recent seasons he has conducted many of the major orchestras across the UK, Germany and the US, and this season will make his debut with the London Philharmonic, Cincinnati Symphony, and National Symphony (Washington) among others, as well as return to the London Symphony, Baltimore and Colorado Symphony orchestras. He is the former Chief Conductor of the Munich Symphony Orchestra and 2022–23 marks the start of his tenure as the Principal Guest Conductor of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. During his time as Chief Conductor of Bern Opera House, he led many new productions.

Tad Calcara has been Principal Clarinet of the Utah Symphony since 1998. Born in Oceanside, California his musical career has encompassed the worlds of classical music and jazz. In addition to his position with the Utah Symphony he has served as Principal Clarinet of the Grand Teton Festival Orchestra, New World Symphony, and was a frequent performer with the Cleveland Orchestra. He is active in chamber music having performed at La Jolla Summer Festival, Kol Ami Concert series, and the Nova and Intermezzo Chamber Music Series. As a specialist in early jazz and the Big Band/Swing Era he established the New Deal Swing Orchestra in 2003 which has performed with the Utah Symphony, Salt Lake Jazz Festival, and Excellence in the Community. During the pandemic he created a series of “one-man-band” music videos that were seen by millions in which he plays multiple instruments in his own elaborate arrangements.

Lori Wike joined the Utah Symphony as Principal Bassoon in 2005. Originally from North Carolina, she holds a Bachelor of Music degree and Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music and a Master of Arts degree from the University of California, Irvine. A former member of the Louisville Orchestra, Wike has also performed with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Moscow Chamber Orchestra, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the Aspen Festival and Chamber Orchestras. Prior to joining the Utah Symphony, she performed for three seasons with the New World Symphony under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas. She is a frequent performer on both the Nova and Intermezzo Chamber Music series and is also a member of Three Fish and a Scorpion woodwind quartet. Wike is currently Adjunct Professor of Bassoon at the University of Utah and Instructor of Bassoon at Westminster College.

Electricity is in the air. And under the hood.

The

By Jeff Counts