Timpanogos Symphony

Monday night I witnessed something very, very rare these days – the birth of a symphony.

All across America, symphonies are shutting their doors and closing up shop. Many of the major symphonies are struggling to keep things going. The audiences are thinning and the money drying up. Musicians are being asked to take pay cuts or forego salaries all together.

So who would even consider starting a symphony orchestra now? John Pew, the director of the Temple Hill Symphony Orchestra in Oakland, California, that’s who. A year ago he got the idea to start a symphony in Highland, Utah. After auditions in January, the new Timpanogos Symphony Orchestra held its first concert in April. Last night, they held their second in the American Fork Amphitheater with Jennie Oaks Baker guest soloist.

I believe this could only happen in Utah today. This is one of the last places I know where the arts are encouraged, funded and supported. I noticed it very soon after we moved here. As I went jogging at 6:00 am, every third house I would pass had a piano in the front window with some bleary-eyed child practicing. I was amazed. After attempting to get my three children involved in music, I know how hard it is to get them to get up that early, much less practice.

As a results, the local high school bands here are well over one hundred in size, the choirs, well, there are at least six different choirs and the orchestra program is gigantic as well. Everywhere you turn, there are teachers taking students. I was surprised we could find a voice teacher for my son within three blocks. What about drama? Sure! In fact, the junior high drama department is better here than most high school departments back in Idaho. I am still amazed a junior high pulled off Fiddler on the Roof this Spring. I’m proud to say my son was one of the cast. Consequently, the high school productions are incredible!

I guess it shouldn’t surprise me in a few short months, Pew could pull together 75 musicians, including a harpist, two English horns and two oboes, some of the more rare instruments to find. The quality was very good for a community orchestra. I have played in worse. It can take years for a group to come together. They played like they had been together for several.

They started with American Salute, which reduced me to tears, because I spent a month playing it in Europe. Copland’s Rodeo was the only number really rough around the edges. It is a very difficult piece, requiring laser precision on odd syncopation. Add the unfamiliarity of an outdoor venue where nothing sounds the same and you can’t even hear yourself, I can’t complain. When they performed a medley from Star Wars, the place lit up. For the William Tell Overture, Pew brought up a 95 year-old World War II veteran who had always wanted to lead that piece. He brought the audience to their feet.

The audience? I tried to count it. The amphitheater was filled to capacity (I estimate 1000) and the lawn behind the symphony was filled with another couple hundred. I don’t know how many were in the park above the amphitheater. Yes, it was a free concert featuring a local favorite in Baker, but they were there for classical music on a Monday night.

Bravo to John Pew and the members of the Timpanogos Symphony Orchestra for daring to create something new and wonderful. I have my tickets for the next concert already. Who knows, I may break down, buy a French horn, get back in shape and join them one day. Happy Birthday, TSO.