Concert will raise money for Utah Youth Symphony

Jenny Oaks Baker has a history with the Utah Youth Symphony. Back in the 1990s, she was the orchestra's concertmaster, and she remembers that time of her life fondly.

"I loved my time there, and I adore (UYS music director) Barbara Scowcroft," Baker said in a phone interview from her home outside Washington, D.C.

So, it was only natural that Baker contacted Scowcroft to help promote her newest CD, "Silver Screen Serenade."

"I always like to have a concert to celebrate the release of one of my albums, and when I was thinking about an orchestra, the Utah Youth Symphony was the first one to come to mind," Baker said.

Even so, Scowcroft, who besides directing the UYS is also a member of the Utah Symphony violin section, was taken by surprise. "I was stunned when she called me," Scowcroft told the Deseret News. But she quickly recovered and said yes to Baker's request to collaborate.

The concert takes place Tuesday in Libby Gardner Concert Hall. On the program will be music from Baker's CD. Selections, many of which were arranged for violin and orchestra by Kurt Bestor, will include pieces from the scores to films such as "An American in Paris," "Memoirs of a Geisha," "A Room with a View," "Somewhere in Time" and "Romeo and Juliet."

"This is all music from my favorite movies," Baker said. "These are themes I've always just loved and always wanted to record and finally had the chance to do it."

Scowcroft is looking forward to the concert. "This is the first time ever for me," she said. "I've never done a pops concert before, but I'm excited about it. This will be a light, fun, come-and-chill-out kind of concert."

Playing film music is also a new experience for the members of the UYS. "They're pretty excited about it," Scowcroft said. "They love the music."

Adding to the joy of the concert will be Baker's violin playing. "She is as gifted as they come," Scowcroft said. "She does these big-time classical concerts, but she just loves this kind of music."

Baker will also be able to display her virtuosity, as Bestor's arrangements are rather tricky. "Some of them are very virtuosic with some tongue-twisting gymnastics," Scowcroft said. "They're phenomenal arrangements," Baker said. "I've worked together with Kurt for a long time, and he knows me. I could call him up and say I need an arrangement a certain way, and he would oblige me."

Rather than just tout her CD at the concert, Baker suggested to Scowcroft that it be a fundraiser, with all proceeds going to the orchestra. "It was her idea, and of course we didn't say no," Scowcroft said. "We always have financial needs. The money we get from the concert will go to the nuts and bolts of running the orchestra."

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