With Gershwin’s timeless music, the Rexburg Tabernacle Orchestra will transport the audience back in time while raising funds to preserve history.
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of “Rhapsody in Blue,” the Gershwin Gala Benefit Concert will have a 1920s theme, fit with costumes and Gershwin music.
The orchestra will perform with soloists Claire Tueller Thueson and Mark Seare along with Madison High School’s Vocal Spectrum. Dr. Kevin Call is returning as a guest conductor after retiring from the orchestra two years ago.
“We wanted music that a lot of people can relate to,” Call said. “And Gershwin has led a lot of people to classical, jazz, pop, he kind of covers it all. He's quite the eclectic American composer.”
Proceeds from the concert will go to help support the Rexburg Tabernacle which is currently closed for renovations.
“We help bring awareness to people about what the project is,” Call said. “And of course the orchestra is called the Rexburg Tabernacle Orchestra, and the tabernacle is their home where they perform. And there are some needs in there for the orchestra. And our goal is just to kind of do our part to try and help the community realize what the project is and to have them enjoy some great music.”
Tueller Thueson has performed as a pianist for many years, but this is the first time she will perform “Rhapsody in Blue.”
“I've known the piece and really liked the piece since I was a little kid,” Tueller Thueson said. “And as a student and as a performer I just never really took the time to learn it. It was never one that I got to in the course of my education and my career. So, it's actually been a lot of fun for me to, now as an adult, be able to go back to it and learn it because I've known it for so long, but never really taken the time to sit down and be able to play it. So that's been fun for me to have a reason to play it.”
The gala is Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Madison Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available for $10 at rexburg.org, or at the door. 1920s attire is encouraged, and donations are appreciated.