The American Festival Chorus and Orchestra directed by Dr. Craig Jessop performs at the Christmas concert on Saturday Dec. 9, 2023.
LOGAN – The American Festival Chorus and Orchestra, directed by Dr. Craig Jessop, will feature music of American composers on Saturday, February 10 at 7:30 pm at the Newel and Jean Daines Concert Hall in Utah State University’s Chase Fine Arts Center.
Entitled An “American Songbook,” the chorus and orchestra will perform music written for Broadway shows, movies, and popular music written in the past century.
The “American Songbook” is commonly described as the “soundtrack of our lives,” and includes some of the most classic and influential American popular songs, jazz standards, and show tunes in our country’s history.
Popular music written by George Gershwin, Irving Berlin and Rodgers & Hammerstein to Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim and the music of today, will fill the auditorium. The audience can look forward to hearing classics like “The Impossible Dream,” “When You Wish Upon a Star,” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” along with other recognizable and well-loved tunes.
Casey Elliott and Lisa Zimmermann have been invited to sing with the chorus during this concert.
“There is something special about the American Songbook, especially in its musical theatre repertoire, that reaches right into your soul and, for many, brings back wonderful memories,” said Craig Jessop, music director. “We are delighted that Casey Elliott and Lisa Zimmermann will join us in bringing these songs to life.”
Casey Elliott, perhaps best known as one of the three tenors in GENTRI the Gentleman Trio known for his powerful voice and acting ability. He has toured the world as a performer, including his role as Radames in the U.S. National and International Tours of Aida.
Elliott’s other theatrical credits include: Les Misérables (Jean Valjean), A Tale of Two Cities (Sydney Carton, regional premier), Zorro the Musicalm (Zorro, regional premier), and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream coat (Joseph). Film credits include: An Hour Behind (Adam), Joseph Smith: American Prophet (John Taylor), Tim Timmerman (Mr. Hadley), Prepare (Jesus Christ), Out of Liberty (Hyrum Smith…post-production), Green Flake (Joseph Smith…pre-production), and Daniel and the Lions (Daniel).
Lisa Zimmermann, a talented soprano, studied voice at Indiana University and later earned her master’s degree in voice at the University of Utah. She was recently featured as the soprano soloist with Kurt Bestor and Jenny Oaks Baker in the tour of “The Redeemer.”
Her theatre credits include: The Secret Garden (Lily), A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (Pheobe D’Ysquith), Murder on the Orient Express (Mary Debenham), Phantom (Christine Daae), and Brigadoon at Hale Center Theatre; Dialoghi delle Carmelitane and La Musica Lirica in Novafeltria, Italy; and Savior of the World. In addition to an active performance career, she works as a frequent voice over artist and teaches voice lessons.
The American Festival Chorus and Orchestra has become one of the premier professional musical organizations in the region. Under the artistic direction of conductor Dr. Craig Jessop and associate director Dr. Cory Evans, regional choir provides a culture of musical excellence that edifies, entertains, and educates performers and audiences.
Tickets cost $15 – $30, and children aged 8 and older are welcome. For more
information, call (435) 797-8022 or visit americanfestivalchorus.org.