2011 Utah Arts Festival Announces Composer Commissions

For Immediate Release
June 9, 2011
Contact: Eugenie Hero Jaffe (801) 599-2040
To download press releases visit www.uaf.org/press


2011 Utah Arts Festival Announces Composer Commissions

Christopher Stark, Ethan Wickman and David Featherstone

Present World Premieres During

The Utah Arts Festival, June 23–26 on Library Square



Salt Lake City, UT: The 2011 Utah Arts Festival announces the three composer commissions, focusing on Chamber Orchestra, Chamber Ensemble and Jazz, will premiere at the Festival on Library Square, June 23 through June 26.

Christopher Stark will present his piece, Promontories as the 19th annual composer commission recipient for Chamber Orchestra. Mr. Stark is a composer of contemporary classical music deeply rooted in the American West and his music has been heard in concert halls around the world. His piece premieres Thursday, 8:15 pm on the Festival Stage.

The Mandel Foundation proudly sponsors the 6th annual Composer Commission for Chamber Ensemble with the piece Winter’s Burst, written by Ethan Wickman. The New York Times has described Mr. Wickman as “a composer of facility and imagination.” His highly anticipated piece premieres Saturday, 4 pm at the Library Auditorium.

Winner of the 2011 Utah Arts Festival Jazz Composer’s Commission, David Featherstone will take the stage Friday, 8:30 pm on the Festival Stage, with the world premiere of his work Recall. David Featherstone received his Bachelors in Music Composition and his Masters in Jazz Studies from the University of Utah. He has composed music for a wide range of outlets from percussion ensembles and orchestras to music scores and big bands. He is also a freelance orchestral percussionist and drum set artist who has toured internationally.

The 2011 Utah Arts Festival runs Thursday, June 23 through Sunday, June 26 from noon to 11 p.m. on Library Square, 400 South and 200 East in downtown Salt Lake City.

Adult admission is $10 at the gate, $7 in advance. Children 12 and under are free. Seniors 65 and above are $5. Reduced adult admission is $5 and available from noon to 3 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.

For details and more information visit www.uaf.org. Follow the Utah Arts Festival on Facebook and Twitter @utahartsfest.
To view a webisode featuring David Featherstone visit www.uaf.org.



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Eugenie Hero Jaffe
Bombshell Music & Media
801.599.2040
eugenie@getbombshell.com
www.getbombshell.com

"How do I pronounce her name," you ask? Say: U•je•knee