Dept. Head Jessop launches new summer concert series
The Utah State University Music Department launches a new, summer evening concert series, “Midsummer Night’s Magic,” at the Performance Hall on campus (approximately 1090 E. 675 North).
Performances will be held each Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. throughout the summer and feature USU faculty and student ensembles. Admission is $10 and all proceeds support student scholarships in the music department.
“I understand from my colleagues that there haven’t been many opportunities for our summer audience to hear concerts in the Performance Hall, and I think it is particularly fitting that, while many of our students are away from campus working to save money for college, the department is also making an effort to increase scholarship support,” said Music Department Head Craig Jessop. “I am thrilled to be able to offer this new summer concert series.”
The first concert is June 25 and features AirFare, a flute-clarinet duo of faculty flutist Leslie Timmons and clarinetist Nicholas Morrison. Colleagues Cindy Dewey, soprano, and Lynn Jemison-Keisker, piano/harpsichord, join the duo for the performance.
Subsequent Midsummer Night’s Magic concerts feature the Logan Canyon Winds performing with members of the Caine Percussion Ensemble (July 2), the Lightwood Duo (July 9), Opera Gala (July 16), piano students of Gary Amano (July 23), the Fry Street Quartet (July 30) and the Michael and Corey Christiansen Guitar Duo (Aug. 6).
The summer series is one of Jessop’s first innovations. Jessop joined the music department faculty in May following service as a conductor both in the United States Air Force and with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
Jessop holds a master’s degree from Brigham Young University and a doctorate from Stanford, in addition to an undergraduate degree in music education from USU.
“I grew up in Cache Valley, and I remember how my family and I struggled to pay for school,” Jessop said. “I also remember how generous my professors were with their time and expertise. Thanks to my family and to a modest scholarship, we paid the tuition bills, but I never could have afforded to pay for the education I actually received here at Utah State. I’m back at USU now because I see that same passion for teaching and commitment to the students from my colleagues, who are donating their services for this scholarship benefit series. I’m also proud that our summer series will feature many of our finest students – members of the Caine Percussion Ensemble, students in the Marie Eccles Caine Opera Quartet and, of course, the award-winning students of professor Gary Amano, director of the department’s piano program.”
Recent percussion performance graduate Alissa Kirk, one of the musicians featured with the Caine Percussion Ensemble, agrees.
“The close interaction between students and faculty is one of the great strengths of USU’s music program,” she said. “The opportunity to perform on stage along with members of the faculty gives students a real-world, professional experience that’s not possible at most universities. I know I can speak for all the students and recent alumni participants in voicing their enthusiastic support of these concerts, not only for musical reasons, but also in recognition of the much-needed scholarship support they will provide.”
“The concert series is an excellent opportunity for community members, summer citizens and students to be whisked away into a magic musical world in the beautiful Manon Caine Russell Kathryn Caine Wanlass Performance Hall during the summer when the hall typically stays closed,” Jessop said. “What better way to support student scholarships and hear the extraordinary talents to be found in our faculty and their outstanding students.”
For more information on “Midsummer Night’s Magic,” contact the music department, (435) 797-3015.