With all of performing arts groups vying for recognition during the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games, it took a lot of effort on the part of BYU Performing Arts Management to get itself noticed.

But it has, to the benefit of many student performers.

Edward Blaser, director of Performing Arts Management, said it actively worked with the Salt Lake Organizing Committee to get as many performing groups on campus as possible involved with the Games. They have been booking and promoting the performing groups for the last year to SLOC.

"We see it as a great opportunity for the student performers," Blaser said.

The Performing Arts Management even canceled mid-semester tours the performing groups usually take during Winter Semester so that they would specifically be available for Games performances.

The arts management also actively worked to get students involved with the Paralympic Games.

"With the Paralympics, their goals and purposes tie nicely into BYU," Blaser said.

Over 200 dancers and the Cougarettes were recruited to perform during the Paralympics. And the Paralympic committee has appreciated the response of BYU students toward the Games, Blaser said.

Blaser said at first it was hard to convince the SLOC Ceremonies Production of the caliber of BYU's performing groups, since many of the committee members are from out of state. So the management invited members to various performance to demonstrate the talent of BYU student performing groups.

Once the Ceremonies Production got a taste of the talent, however, it was much easier to promote BYU's performing groups.

"SLOC is sold on the talent level and professionalism of BYU students," Blaser said. "And it is a delightful opportunity for the students."

Kory Katseanes, director of the BYU Philharmonic Orchestra, said 32 players of the orchestra have been selected to be a part of an intercollegiate orchestra that will play in the Closing Ceremonies.

The orchestra is made up from members of four universities: BYU, the University of Utah, Weber State University and Utah State University, Katseanes said.

The conductors of the intercollegiate orchestra will be the selected from the composers of the musical pieces, he said.

Some of the composers include Danny Elfman, Mark Watters and John Williams, giving the students an opportunity to perform under professionals.

As for the combined orchestra, they will meet for the first time one week before the Games to pre-record the music, Katseanes said. The pre-recorded music will then be used to amplify the live performance at Closing Ceremonies, because a philharmonic orchestra isn't loud enough in a stadium full of people, he said.

The intercolleigate orchestra will record the music at the LDS Motion Picture Studio in Provo, Katseanes said. The Utah Symphony Tabernacle recorded all of the national anthems in May at the studio as well, he said.

The members of the combined orchestra were selected by the directors of each orchestra, Katseanes said.

David Randall, director of the School of Music, said he is excited for the opportunity for BYU students to be involved in the Olympics.

One reason for his excitement is because it isn't very often that students get to perform under John Williams, he said. The Olympics provide a great experience for students.

"It's an opportunity to volunteer for a great cause, giving them professional experience, especially for members of the Philharmonic Orchestra," Randall said.



Copyright Brigham Young University 12 Dec 2001