If you could pick a single highlight from UTE, I think the closing concert might just be it. This is your chance to share the stage with all of your new UTE friends and play to a very large, excited crowd. Last year was the first time this community had ever seen a taiko performance, and they are still talking about it! We're already expecting double the turnout from last year. By the way, if you are a Utah local and want more information on attending these free public events, please CLICK HERE.
Concert Preparation
We want you to have all the time you need to prepare, so we are releasing the setlist and resources now! At this point, have a look through the songs on the setlist. Start thinking about the ones you want to learn and play, and get practicing! The setlist sheet has links to all of the learning resources you need to get started.
At UTE we will have limited time for rehearsal, so we recommend you start learning right away! In a perfect world, everyone arrives at UTE having already learned the songs, and we just have to put them together and rehearse. We know we will likely not be quite that good, but let's make that the goal!
Songs are split into several levels from beginning to advanced, and there are several songs that are 'mandatory' which simply means, everyone is supposed to play them. If for whatever reason you do not want to play, you don't have to, but we feel it is an important part of the experience!
Demonstration Night
The evening before our concert we do a taiko information evening where we invite the local community to the high school to learn about the taiko discipline. This event is a little more intimate and informative. At the end, we invite the attendees on the stage to try playing a bit of taiko themselves!
Supporting A Great Cause
Both of these events are fundraisers where we collect donations to support the arts at Manti High School! Last year we managed to shake things up enough that the school is now getting all of the seats in their auditorium replaced! This year we are going for the curtains, the lighting system, and an acoustic shell for choir & small ensemble performances. Check out this great video the drama program made for this:)!
So we are just getting started! If you are registered, look forward to a bunch of informative and helpful content coming your way to help get you stoked and prepared for this amazing journey!
If you're not registered, what are you waiting for?
That's it for now! Let me know if I can answer any questions or be of assistance in any way. See you in the next post!
Rannoch (Razz)