Monsters and Music: Youth Conservatory Monster Concert Sets the Stage

LOGAN, Utah — The Utah State University Youth Conservatory will host its annual Monster Concert at 4 p.m. Oct. 26 in the Daryl Chase Fine Arts Center’s Daines Concert Hall.

The Youth Conservatory has been fostering connections between students and the community for decades.

“[The Youth Conservatory] is a program where the piano majors and graduate students who are earning their degree in piano performance and pedagogy teach kids from the community, who come up to campus to take piano lessons each week,” Youth Conservatory Director Emily Ezola said.

The concert features these students and invites teachers from across the community to sign their students up as well.

“We collaborate with Cache Children’s Choir,” Ezola said. “So altogether, we have over 300 kids who will perform in Monster Concert.”

Eighteen pianos go up on the stage for the kids to play together, with a multimedia element on a screen in the back.

“This year, we’re going to use the screen to show the kids performing so you can see them better,” Ezola said. “Kind of like an athletic event, but on the stage.”

The students are assigned piano pieces months before the concert and practice together the week before the performance.

“It’s usually a pretty packed hall,” Ezola said. “We also have our big monster mascot. His name is Frankensteinway.”

The theme for this year’s concert is “Monster Goes Galactic,” and the music will be outer-space themed, including classics such as selections from Star Wars scores and “Rocket Man.” USU piano professor Kevin Olson picks the theme each year and the music to match, even arranging some himself.

The concert will feature guest composer Wynn-Anne Rossi, who wrote a piece for the USU piano program students to play at the concert.

“She herself will be there and will be conducting in person,” Ezola said. “We’ve never done that before, so that’s so exciting.”

The concert is free for USU students and faculty, as well as children under 18. Tickets are $10 for adults. There will also be the opportunity to buy a Monster Concert T-shirt at the event to contribute to the Youth Conservatory’s program.

“It’s a really good way to get into the Halloween spirit. The music is awesome, and I feel like there’s something for everybody,” Ezola said. “It’s super family-friendly, so it’s a great concert to bring kids to. They can stand up and dance and really be part of the whole show.”

Tickets can be purchased online or at the CCA Box Office. For more information on Monster Concert, visit the event’s website.