By Mark Montie
Fourteen of BYU”s performing groups will converge on the Conference Center over the next three weeks for an unprecedented series of concerts.
Winterfest 2003 will feature musical and dance groups from BYU in 16 shows between Jan. 24 and Feb. 15, in conjunction with the Temple Square Concert Series.
“We haven”t done anything like this, ever,” said Shane Wright, BYU”s regional performance coordinator.
In the past, the groups have done their own things. The opportunity to perform together in a series is different for the groups, Wright said.
Performing in the series in Salt Lake City is another break from the norm for the groups.
The groups have always focused their performances in Provo, said Jonathan Wood, BYU”s performance tours coordinator.
“We wanted to give the people in Salt Lake a chance to see the groups,” Wood said.
Many BYU students performed in the Conference Center”s “Light of the World” production during the Olympics last year.
After seeing how successful that was, David Warner, the Conference Center”s coordinator, invited BYU”s performing groups back for this year”s series, Wright said.
Depending on how successful Winterfest 2003 is, BYU”s groups may make this a yearly event in some form, said Wood.
Winterfest will start Jan. 24 with a performance by Living Legends, celebrating Latin American, Polynesian and Native American cultures.
Following that performance, BYU”s Concert Choir, Men”s and Women”s Choruses and University Singers will combine for “The Road Home.”
The Operas and Arias Concert will be the first opportunity for these singers to perform in Salt Lake.
Another group giving a special performance is the Ballroom Dance company, which will perform on Feb 1.
“This is the first time in a long time you”ll be able to see the Ballroom Dance team perform in this region,” Wright said. Usually, the company”s full show is reserved for their tours, he said.
The Jazz Showcase, Philharmonic and Wind Symphonies, Faculty Showcase and the Young Ambassadors will all present concerts during this series.
The series will come to a close Feb. 15 with a performance of the International Folk Dance Emsemble.
Winterfest will not take the place of the groups” regular performances.
“This is in addition to everything going on in Provo,” Wood said.
Tickets for each of these concerts are available at the Conference Center for $6.00.
A schedule for Winterfest events is available on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” web site at www.lds.org/events.
