The Utah Philharmonia, a select group of 80 students who form a full orchestral ensemble, will perform at Libby Gardner Hall on March 2.
Conducted by Robert Baldwin, director of orchestral activities at the U, Thursday’s concert features works by William Grant Still, Samuel Barber, Henry Wolking and Michael Torke.
Baldwin is the music director of the Salt Lake Symphony and was the conductor of Lexington, Ky.’s “It’s a Grand Night for Singing.” Before coming to the U, he held conducting positions in Kentucky and Arizona. Baldwin is also a violist who has performed with a variety of ensembles throughout the country.
Robert Walzel, director of the School of Music, will be a clarinet soloist at the performance. Walzel is an accomplished soloist and chamber musician in addition to his administrative position in the U’s School of Music. Prior to coming to Salt Lake City, Walzel worked in Texas at Sam Houston State University and Texas Tech University. Walzel has made solo appearances in Europe, Asia, Africa and Central America and was an artistic ambassador for the United States Information Agency.
The Utah Philharmonia performs a wide variety of musical styles. Its yearly concerto competition allows qualified students a soloist opportunity with the orchestra. Not only are the members of this ensemble able to experience and learn different types of classical performance, but they also enjoy traditional orchestral playing during their seven to eight concerts per year.
This Thursday, the concert begins at 7:30 p.m., and student tickets are available for $3.