Combined USU choirs perform annual Winter Songs concert

As the lights dimmed inside St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, a dark-colored bell — crafted in Tremonton — rang a dissonant pitch below F before welcoming the familiar song "O Come, Emmanuel."

Through sacred and secular music, the annual Winter Songs concert has helped many in Cache Valley feel the Christmas spirit for years.

With the ring of that bell, the combined choirs of Utah State University were able to ring in another successful Winter Songs concert Thursday night.

Noah Packer, a freshman at USU and a member of the Chorale and Chamber Singers, said he's thankful to be a part of a historic tradition.

"It just makes me happy that we're able to sing Christmas songs," Packer said. "I'm glad that choir hasn't fallen to political correctness and that we're still able to sing these types of songs in a public setting at school."

Packer said he thinks the concert is well attended due to the strong messages and themes of the music.

"I've sung in a lot of choirs and a song can sound really cool, but if the message isn't there than there's no emotional trigger," Packer said. "With Christmas music though, the message is there and people are able to feel it."

Claudia Bigler, the director of the Women's Choir, said she starts Christmas a bit earlier than most people.

"I've spent my whole career starting Christmas in October," Bigler said. "For me it's a much bigger portion of the year than for other people."

Bigler also said she believes that Christmas should have one central purpose; to focus on Christ.

"I'm one of the people in the camp of Christmas being about Christ," Bigler said. "It's not about frosty the snowman, it's about Christ."

Dr. Cory Evans, the director for the Chorale, Chamber Singers and the combined chorus, has been using St. Thomas Aquinas Church for a number of years to host Winter Songs and to record with the choirs.

Bigler said the church setting helps make the evening so special.

"Music that fits this pure space is so smart," Bigler said. "Part of the magic of the evening is the room and setting of this place, as well as amazing opening and closing numbers."

Williamsburg Retirement and Assisted Living to host free community event with Ross Thomas

Though most are in retirement, they all live busy lives thanks to continuous community events that happen once a month.

Members of the Williamsburg Retirement and Assisted Living community, as well as members of the city of Logan, will be able to hear the smooth voice of Ross Thomas on Thursday.

While not the first community event the retirement home has hosted, Yolanda Thomas, the activities director at the assisted living community, said this one will provide something a little different.

"I wanted something a little more formal and I wanted something a little more fancy like they're going out on the town," Thomas said. "I wanted to try to make a special evening with them."

Ross Thomas, Yolanda's husband and longtime musician/actor, said he enjoys the ability to give back to the community.

"When I have time I try to give back to the community," Thomas said. "You try to find music they're going to enjoy. It's not doing your favorite song, but ones that they like. This is basically for them; a night for them to get out and have fun and put some smiles on their faces."

Thomas will be performing songs from the broadway stage, including older and newer musicals.

Coteel "Goodie" Child, a 94 year-old resident of the retirement community, said she has enjoyed her stay at Williamsburg.

"I like it here," Child said. "There are a lot of wonderful people and I feel lucky. This is a good place."

Whether residents have been a part of the community for years, or months, there is a feeling of comradery.

Kaylene Draper, a resident at Williamsburg for a year, said she has also enjoyed her experience and is looking forward to hear Thomas perform.

"I've really enjoyed this place extremely well and it's a home away from home," Draper said. "Thursday night is going to be wonderful. He's a fabulous and wonderful singer. All I can do is praise him, he's so good."

Even those like Shirley Burris, a resident since August, said she has loved her time in the community.

"Oh, I've been treated really well," Burris said. "Ross is just great. In fact he's one of the best I've heard so far. I think it'll be the biggest thing since I've been here."

Yolanda Thomas said these social community events are "crucial" for residents in the retirement community.

"A lot of them have very limited mobility and capability of going out," Thomas said. "There's still so much to enjoy in life and to learn and experience. We try to get them out and if that doesn't happen we try to bring things to them."

Mama LongLegs to perform at Logan's Elevation Rock Gym

These ladies don't mess around. An outfit for upcoming folk-americana and bluegrass music, Mama LongLegs, a band local to Cache Valley, isn't ready to give into mainstream music pressures.

The all-female band will perform at Logan's Elevation Rock Gym on Friday.

The members of the band have performed at the gym before, but they hope to have stronger turnout this weekend due to increased advertising.

Allie Harris, a guitarist and the lead singer for the band, said she hopes to plant more people into the gym for the event.

"I would say we didn't get the word out as much the first time," Harris said. "I'm hoping to draw more of a crowd not only to the concert, but also to Elevation. At the very least it's something to do in Logan on a Friday night."

Kaysi Mueller, the assistant manager at Elevation Rock Gym, said more people seem interested in the event than before.

"We've been advertising a little more here too, to the point where people have been asking about it," Mueller said. "We hope it brings people into the gym and they think 'Woah this is cool. We should come here more often.' It'd be sick if the show brought in more gym memberships."

Harris said she acknowledges an older audience enjoying the band's music as compared to a younger crowd.

"I would say most of the folk people are 25 years old and older," Harris said. "Not many kids listen to a lot of folk. They're more into hip-hop and rap, so we definitely cater to an older audience."

Mueller said the environment of the gym makes for a great venue for those who want to be there.

"I think because the rock climbing community is so laid back and relaxed, everyone here should be chill," Mueller said. "The people who own the gym are really relaxed and this is a good way to get business. A concert where the genre isn't super crazy and is just family-friendly. Our goal is to include everyone."

Harris said she tries to work with the community to be more known and trusted.

"We've become new people in the valley, interested in getting together and working," Harris said. "We try to work with the community to add an experience. But for me, I always come back to the folk stuff."

Northern Utah Youth Symphony, Tyler Morgan to perform first concert of the year

A combination of string instruments and woodwinds make up any ordinary orchestra, but the Northern Utah Youth Symphony is no ordinary orchestra.

The symphony's musicians use those same instruments but the difference is that pre-teens and teenagers from the sixth grade up across five counties get to practice and play music. 

The Northern Utah Youth Symphony will perform its first concert of the year on Saturday in Ogden High School's auditorium.

Meeting every Saturday morning since Sept. 15, the members of the symphony have worked hard to put together their upcoming concert. 

Julie Gardner, the symphony's managing director, said she has been pleased with the work that's been put in at this point. 

"This is the best group of kids in the world," Gardner said. "Who else would give up a Saturday morning to play classical music?"

Gardner also said she feels like classical music is vital for younger generations to understand.

"I think classical music should be important for everybody," Gardner said. "I think it's so important to give these opportunities to the youth. Playing music is a lifelong skill and our orchestra is like the ultimate team sport. It's a skill you take with you your whole life."

In addition to the symphony's performance, there will be solo selections from principal bassist Tyler Morgan, a junior at Logan High School. 

Gardner said she has high praise for Morgan's ability as a musician.

"He is a fabulous musician," Gardner said. "He just feels the music like it's a part of him. There aren't many bass players that can play to that caliber."

Morgan lives a busy life taking classes at Logan High School, playing for other orchestras and teaching private bass lessons in his home after school. He is entering his second year with the youth symphony and said he enjoys being with such a special group of people. 

Morgan said the practices are the most rewarding part. "When I'm there, it's immersive," he said. "It's literally the best experience you could ever have."

Morgan has been playing the upright bass for eight years.

"I'd always wanted to play," Morgan said. "When I started out it was a hobby thing, but when I got into eighth grade I got stuck playing more professional music and that's really kept me with it. I was really attracted to the low frequency and I just enjoy loving it." 

Morgan said he has the same thoughts as Gardner about the importance of classical music for younger audiences.

"If everyone could understand what makes it work, I feel like they would enjoy it much more," Morgan said. "I love how classical music feels in my head. It's been around for a long time and it's just classic. That's why it's called classical."

The symphony will have two more concerts with two different guest performers next year, at Logan High School on Feb. 23 and Box Elder High School on April 23. 

Sunhouse Healers set to perform reunion show at The Cache Venue

Many friendships die. Very few get back together. Even fewer come back to what made them friends in the first place.

Nearly 20 years ago, a trio of friends — Josh Johnson, Ryan Boyce and Jarad McDonald — set out to simply make music — the same music which tore them apart six years ago. 

They're older and wiser now — ready to take the stage again to perform the music they love. 

The Sunhouse Healers will be joined by Katie Jo Olsen in the band's reunion show at The Cache Venue in Logan on Saturday.  

"The circumstances of our breakup I think just came from a little bit of burnout," said Johnson, the lead singer and guitarist for the Sunhouse Healers. "I was playing in two different bands and it takes a toll on your personal life."

Johnson said the issues for the breakup didn't stem from a personal situation within the band, but rather came from being too busy.

"Although you're in a constant state of musical creation and creativity, something usually has to give and unfortunately it was Sunhouse," Johnson said. "We came back together because we missed the songs and all of us were in a good place in time to come back to it."

Collectively the trio recognized the base of their friendship was through the music they created years earlier. 

"We all realized very quickly how much we all had missed it and what it was that brought us together in the first place," Johnson said. 

Katie Jo Olsen, who will open for the Sunhouse Healers, has a long history with the members of the band.

"Josh Johnson is like a brother to me," Olsen said. "I love their music. Whether or not you are into their style or genre, you can't deny that this band is solid."

Johnson had equal praise for Olsen's musical efforts. 

"I can't remember a time that I haven't known Katie Jo," Johnson said. "Her musical style comes from a very personal space and she feels the songs she writes and sings. I'm very proud of her as a friend and as a musical companion." 

Both artists hope to leave an impact on a historic night at The Cache.

"I just hope my solo sound is enough to warm up a crowd for a rock band of this caliber," Olsen said. "I am very honored that they trust me with this task."

Johnson said he hopes to move people with the reunion. 

"I hope people will remember having a great time and be moved in some way," Johnson said. "With the current atmosphere of the world right now, people all gathered together in one place that can appreciate and enjoy an evening of music together as one — in spite of any differences they may have — is a really good thing to share."

Cache County Event Center opens doors for first concert

In a new, red-brick building with only three small office spaces, there is plenty of room to rock — or in this case, country.

Local band Mile Marker 6 will open for Sawyer Brown at the Cache County Event Center in Logan on Thursday. The concert will be the first at the newly reopened center, which includes a 20,000 square foot auditorium complete with a jumbotron. It also marks the first collaboration between the center and the Cherry Peak Winter Concert Series.

Cassidy Nemelka, the assistant director of the center, said things have been busy since officially reopening in September.

"Other events like weddings, or receptions were booked by word of mouth," Nemelka said. "But Cherry Peak actually came to us with the idea about the concert. It was very spur-of-the-moment."

Nerves have also set in, but not in expected places.

"I'm most nervous about the set-up perspective," Nemelka said. "We recently lost a member of our staff, so setting things up has been a lot to deal with, but I think once we get more help everything should be fine."

Nemelka also said she hopes more concerts can come through the center.

"At this point, we just don't know what to expect with this first show," Nemelka said. "The hope is that this one goes really well, and we can house more concerts in the future."

Joaby Parker, the lead singer and guitarist for Mile Marker 6, isn't fazed by performing in a new building and said he is more grateful than nervous for the opportunity to perform.

 "For a first concert, not only do they have a great band like Sawyer Brown to perform," Parker said, "but I feel like it's such a privilege to be a part of a local-valley band and to open for such an influential act."

Parker was influenced by Sawyer Brown in the mid-1990s as a teenager working on a family farm. The opportunity to perform alongside his idols is one he doesn't take for granted.

"It is quite the honor to share the stage with Sawyer Brown," Parker said.

Wellsville Mountain Music Show to raise money for historic tabernacle

With its white brick facade, this 100 year old building still stands as a testimony of resilience, and it looks like it's not going anywhere soon.

The historic, pioneer-era Wellsville Tabernacle will receive money for interior renovation efforts from a benefit concert at The Cache Venue in Logan on Wednesday.

JD and The Brass Saddle Band will play at the Wellsville Mountain Music Show. A $5 entrance fee will go toward tabernacle renovations.

"Jeremy Devey, or JD, really coordinated the whole effort and is the reason we are having the benefit concert," said Kaylene Ames, the president of the Wellsville Foundation. "It was his way of giving back, and it really is a gift."

Ames said work has to be done on the trusses of the building which have twisted and deteriorated with age. She would have liked the building to be open by Founders Day but the lack of funding and volunteer hours delayed the project.

"Everyone in this organization is a volunteer," Ames said. "So we've been waiting for the weather to change to get interior work done in the building."

However, Ames said the music show will hopefully help renovation efforts by gathering enough funds to start repairs on the building.

Nic Renshaw, the bassist for JD and The Brass Saddle Band, is excited to perform for a good cause and recognizes this show will be unlike others meant to simply entertain.

"Anywhere we can play music, we're all for it," Renshaw said. "Different situations call for different things, but we do try to keep in the mind the situations that we're in and play to fit that mood." 

When complete, the tabernacle will reopen and serve as a community center with arts, music and entertainment.