Two orchestras, same stage for the first time in the history of both universities.

The BYU Symphony Orchestra and UVU Chamber Orchestra present "Symphonic Potpourri" on Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m. The concert will take place in the Covey Center for the Arts located on 425 W. Center Street. The tickets are $7 for the general audience, $5 for students and if you come with your family you can buy a family ticket for $25. Tickets can be purchased at the door, by calling (801) 852-7015 or visiting www.coveycenter.org

Eric Hansen, associate professor at BYU School of Music and a conductor of the BYU Symphony Orchestra, said it was his initiative to collaborate with the UVU Chamber Orchestra and it will be the first time ever that both orchestras will perform on the same stage.

He said the program was carefully considered. Hansen said they want to play music that will be familiar and entertaining to the audience.

"The idea was to put together a program that included a little bit of everything," he said.

According to the press release the program will consist of classical favorites from Beethoven, Ravel, Glinka and Bizet's "Carmen." The program also includes some lighter hits like "Bugler's Holiday" and music from the Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean."

Kari Bitter, a BYU freshman from Calif., said it's a challenge to learn so much music in such a short period of time. She said she sees this challenge as an opportunity to grow. Aside from all the challenges, Bitter said the mix of music they will perform is very entertaining and fun and covers a wide variety of music.

Allison Hunt, a junior from Utah who plays the first violin in the BYU Symphonic Orchestra, said it's going to be a fascinating experience to collaborate with another orchestra. Hunt said that the orchestras will have only one rehearsal together the night before the performance. But Hunt said she is confident in the future performance because they prepare and UVU orchestra prepares also and it will not be hard to link both orchestras together.

Hunt said this concert will be a very powerful experience for the audience, because you have two orchestras and the extra instruments will add extra power to the performance.



Copyright Brigham Young University 4 Nov 2008