Exceptional live music in Mount Carmel, May 10

Thunderbird Foundation for the Arts, in collaboration with Kanab’s 19th annual Amazing Earthfest, will host a live concert of classical chamber music by Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frederic Handel, and contemporary Composer Laurence Lowe inside the Bingham Gallery of Fine Art located on US Route 89 in Mt Carmel, Utah, beginning at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 10.

Thunderbird Foundation for the Arts, in collaboration with Kanab’s 19th annual Amazing Earthfest, will host a live concert of classical chamber music beginning at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 10. Photo courtesy of Rich Csenge.

This extraordinary performance is a collaboration between Woods Music, Composer Laurence Lowe,  Thunderbird Foundation for the Arts, and Amazing Earthfest, and is made possible through a grant awarded to Amazing Earthfest from the Utah Division of Arts and Museums. Delicious refreshments will be served.

Violinists Alexander and Aubrey Woods, pianist Rex Woods and Laurence Lowe on French horn, will perform a full-length concert including the Concerto for Two Violins in D-minor by Bach, the Trio Sonata in A-major, Opus 5, No. 1 by Handel, Intermezzo for Horn and Piano by Laurence Lowe, Adagio and Celtic Dance for Two Violins and Piano by Laurence Lowe, and the world-premiere performance of new music for violin and piano in three movements entitled Earth Songs, by Laurence Lowe.

Advance tickets for this exceptional chamber music performance are available online at amazingearthfest.org/events/earthfest-chamber-music-concert. Adults in advance $30, at the door $40; students $5; children under 10 are free.

A little note about the performers: Professional violinist Aubrey Woods is Concertmistress for the Utah Ballet in Salt Lake City and frequently performs with the Utah Symphony, including in weekly worldwide broadcasts and recordings with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Alex Woods is Professor of Violin at BYU, known for his deft, sensitive playing and beautiful tone. He has performed with the New York Baroque Incorporated (NYBI), the Helicon Foundation, the Sebastians, the Talea Ensemble, the Orchestra of St. Luke’s (New York), and the Utah Symphony. His performances can be heard on MSR Classics, Acis, Tzadik, Bridge, New Focus and Tantara record labels.

Rex Woods is Professor Emeritus of Piano at the University of Arizona where he began teaching in 1988. Rex has performed as a concerto soloist with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, the Arizona Symphony, The Mesa Symphony Orchestra, the Catalina Chamber Orchestra, the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra, and the Chamber Orchestra of the University of Michoacán. Recent chamber music appearances include recitals at Drew University, Humboldt State University, the University of Utah, and Brigham Young University.

Laurence Lowe (BYU retired) has an international reputation as a horn soloist, composer, chamber musician, orchestral player and teacher. He holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music and from the San Francisco Conservatory. Solo, orchestral, and chamber music engagements have taken him to Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Spain, Japan, China, Brazil, Mexico, Carnegie Hall and the Blossom Festival. His compositions for horn have been performed in many nations by prominent artists. In collaboration with violinists Aubrey and Alex Woods, he has a new album of his music for violins and piano entitled “On Contemplating Loss”, available on all music streaming services worldwide. Mr. Lowe is principal horn with the Mendocino (CA) Music Festival Orchestra and Opera. He is also principal horn with Ballet West in Salt Lake City, and performs frequently with the Utah Symphony.

Also, of special note, on Friday afternoon, May 9, at 4 p.m., at Kanab City Library, Mr. Lowe will deliver a free program in music appreciation that he has titled, “Great Music Inspired by Nature.” It’s an ideal opportunity for people of all ages including music students in the Kane County School District, to engage in a conversation on music making. This rare opportunity to gather insights and get to know a contemporary composer is supported by the Utah Division of Arts and Museums. With Laurence Lowe, Professor Emeritus of Music at Brigham Young University as your guide, the free public multi-media visual and sound presentation will feature recorded examples of works by inspired composers who have touched the mystery and source of the creative process. Visit AmazingEarthfest.org for complete festival details.