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Home > Archive > Mar 29, 2007

Making Music in Nation's Capital
By Cortney
Mathews
The Zion Youth Symphony Orchestra, comprised of about 68 of the most talented musicians, age 11 to 18, from local schools in Southern Utah, has been performing in and out of the state of Utah for nearly a decade. The orchestra, conducted by Ed Candland of Pine View High School and Rob Schmidt of Dixie High School, recently returned from performances in the nation’s capital.
The idea of creating such a group was originated years ago by Ed and Kirsten Candland. The two met in Provo, Utah, while performing with the Utah Valley Symphony. With the help of other individuals from the community, the group was created and has been performing ever since.
The Zion Youth Symphony Orchestra is open to anyone who can meet the requirements of auditions held each year in September. Upon being accepted to perform, musicians then spend the next performing season with the group. The season is nine months long.
The group makes up a full symphonic orchestra including brass, wind, percussion, and string instruments. There are more openings for string instruments in the group, a typical characteristic of most orchestras.
The orchestra has one weekly practice at Dixie High School, performs locally every three months and also performs once a season in Salt Lake City.
When it was first established 10 years ago, the orchestra was confined to performing inside the state of Utah due to regulations prohibiting the group from traveling. With a change of rules, the group now takes 45 of its members outside the state to perform for various audiences once a season as well.
In 2006 the orchestra made its way to San Diego to spend some time in the sun. Along the way, they performed at the happiest place on Earth, Disneyland.
The 2007 out-of-state trip was a bit lengthier. Following a March 12 performance in St. George, orchestra members packed their bags and headed to the McCarran airport in Las Vegas. The group took off March 13 en route to the nation's capital, Washington, D.C.
From March 13-17, during the students' spring break, the orchestra performed several times. They played at the Old Post Office Pavilion, where performing groups are accepted to play by audition only.
String musicians in the orchestra participated in a string master class conducted by former National Symphony Orchestra concert mistress Jenny Oaks Baker.
Brass and wind performers also attended a master class conducted by U.S. Army Band saxophonist Mike Vance and Air Force Band trumpet player Tony Kirkland.
The orchestra performed at the Washington, D.C., LDS temple visitors’ center. They attended a concert by the Army Blues Jazz Band and another by the National Symphony Orchestra.
Aside from their performances and others they observed, the group also visited the Smithsonian, the White House, the National Mall and the Arlington National Cemetery.
“They [the kids] had a great time in Washington D.C.,” Kirsten Candland said. “It was a go, go, go schedule, but that's how it was planned. We had a great coordinator who did an excellent job planning our trip. We had a great time.”
Orchestra members enjoyed the performance at the Washington, D.C., LDS temple where they were able to play with the young Suzuki Strings group, Candland said. Church groups from the area came to hear the orchestra, and the musicians were pleased to perform for such audiences.
The orchestra made its way back to Southern Utah March 17. They are now preparing for their next local performance to take place at 7:30 p.m., May 7, at Dixie High School.

For additional information concerning the Zion Youth Symphony Orchestra, auditions or ticket prices, call 435-627-0651.

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