CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Concluding a stellar season of bringing live classical music to Southern Utah, the Southwest Symphony will next delight audiences with a medley of silver screen hits. The final performance of their 2021-2022 season is slated for April 29 at the Cox Performing Arts Center.
“Hollywood Serenade: The Artistry of Caroline Campbell” showcases the magic of the movies. Featuring Campbell on violin, the Southwest Symphony will play selections from soundtracks with classical roots such as “The Godfather,” “West Side Story,” “Titanic,” “Pirates of the Caribbean” and many more.
“This should be a really, really fun concert and a great way to end the season,” said Lucas Darger, the symphony’s music director and conductor. “It has something that everybody will enjoy, to just come and have some fun.”
Campbell is an award-winning violinist known for performing alongside Sting, Steven Tyler and Michael Bublé, to name just a few. She regularly tours with Andrea Bocelli and has appeared at Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House.
Along with a lively mix of Hollywood favorites, her performance with the Southwest Symphony will feature the world premiere of an arrangement she commissioned from Kurt Bestor of “Jalousie,” a popular tango composed in 1925.
“She’s an incredible, classically trained violinist at the highest level that’s not afraid to be creative and think outside the box,” Darger said. “She has really cool, fun ways of interpreting pieces audiences know and love.”
The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $18, $24 or $30 depending on section and are available to purchase online or by calling the Dixie State University box office at 435-652-7800. Darger said the show is expected to sell out and encourages patrons to reserve their seats as early as possible.
The Southwest Symphony’s 41st performance season has been an exciting and varied series of concerts featuring everything from the thrilling film scores of John Williams for the Halloween Spooktacular show to the grandeur of Brahms’s triumphant “Symphony No. 1.” The concerts highlighted outstanding local talent, including the Zion Youth Symphony and the Lieto Voices! choir, as well as world-renowned special guests like flutist Demarre McGill of the Seattle Symphony.
“If you haven’t seen the Southwest Symphony lately, you haven’t seen the Southwest Symphony,” Darger said. “They’ve worked so hard and come so far. It’s really incredible.”
Created by a handful of local musicians seeking a venue for sharing classical music with the community, the Southwest Symphony is now an auditioned group of approximately 80 professional and skilled amateur performers. Although the musicians receive a small stipend for their participation, it’s essentially a volunteer organization.
The symphony is supported by a combination of ticket sales, grants, corporate sponsorships and private donations. Darger said the people of Southern Utah have always been extremely generous in their patronage of the performing arts.
The Southwest Symphony has won the Best of State award for community orchestra three years in a row, a recognition that Darger said speaks to the dedication and talent of their musicians as well as the staff that work tirelessly to produce quality concerts.
“They’re very passionate about it, and they love what they’re doing,” he added. “It’s really a gem for our community to have an orchestra of this level in this small of a city.”
The symphony will release its full 2022-2023 season schedule in the coming weeks. Audiences can join the Crescendo Club for discounted season tickets, VIP performance access and more, or subscribe to their mailing list to stay informed.
Visit the Southwest Symphony website to purchase tickets and learn how your support helps advance the musical arts in Southern Utah.
Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.
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Event details
- What: Southwest Symphony presents “Hollywood Serenade: The Artistry of Caroline Campbell.”
- When: Friday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m.
- Where: Cox Performing Arts Center, 335 S. 700 East, St. George.
- Tickets: Area 1 $18; area 2 $24; premium $30.
- Resources: Website.
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