Musical Tradition -- So. Utah Heritage Choir

On any given Thursday evening in St. George the beautiful red sandstone edifice known as the tabernacle literally sings with songs of God’’s love. The tabernacle symbolizes the strength and tenacity of its builders. Upon entering this desert land, some first sought to create a livelihood, while members of the LDS faith constructed a tabernacle with few tools and their bare hands as a symbol of their faith and devotion to God.

Thursday evenings at the tabernacle are home to the Southern Utah Heritage Choir. This 200 plus voice choir has been singing songs of praise together for nearly 17 years. Founded in 1994 as part of the St. George Visitors’ Center by Dixie Leavitt and Floyd Rigby, the Heritage Choir consists of musicians from various walks of life and faith. However, it is in the tabernacle on Thursday evenings that their voices unite as they rehearse for special community celebrations, formal concerts, patriotic events, and religious occasions.

In an era when both the sacred and the holy are both challenged and belittled, the Southern Utah Heritage Choir chooses to seek out God as the Father of all Mankind, the light which guides as they sing music which uplifts and edifies. The choir has sung both at home and abroad seeking to fulfill this mission.

The choir has performed in the Czech Republic, Armenia, Mexico, England, Scotland, Washington, DC, New York’’s Carnegie Hall and most recently China. At a recent concert, the choir performed at the new Catholic Church in St. George on August 27. This concert commemorated an event which took place at the St. George Tabernacle on May 25th 1879.

It was in 1879, that local members of the Catholic Church, and others, mostly miners from Leeds, were led by Bishop, Father Scanlan in performing their High Mass in the newly completed Tabernacle. They had been invited by members of the LDS Church to share in the beauty of this building.

In 2004, the Southern Utah Heritage Choir under the direction of Floyd Rigby paid tribute to this historic event as members of both the Latter-Day-Saint and Catholic Churches joined the choir to sing the same music as was sung at that High Mass.

In reference to the choir’s performance at the new Catholic Church, Director Rigby commented, " It seems only fitting that the Heritage Choir be invited to participate in this significant dedication event with Father Vidal and our long time friends as once again this special bond is memorialized." This is a history of which many are simply unaware.

Director Floyd Rigby returns to the choir after a four year leave during which he moved to Highland, Utah for both business and family obligations. This break came after a fourteen year commitment to the choir, its members, and the music. Nearly every major holiday season was spent preparing music, rehearsing, or seeing to the administrative needs of the choir itself. While the time commitment to the choir is enormous, the payback is endless. His association with this "close knit" group of 200 is unending and the music they create together is stirring. On many a Thursday nights following rehearsal, this director still jumps in his vehicle and returns to his home in Highland; However, Rigby surmises, I am lifted "beyond earthly expression as the music continues to waft through my mind and heart."

Rigby, founding director of the Southern Utah Heritage Choir received a BA in vocal performance from Southern Utah University and a Master’s Degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara. His associations with choirs throughout his music career are endless. Dr. Nancy Allred, is the associate director of the choir and the premiere accompanist. She received both a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in piano performance and her doctorate in piano performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

The Southern Utah Heritage Choir will tour Holland, Norway, and Denmark next fall. While on tour, choir members enjoy an education in travel, culture, language, and religion while sharing their talents with appreciative audiences at incredible performance venues. As always, the choir invites members of the community to join them. To learn more about the Southern Utah Heritage choir and listen to their music, visit http://www.heritagechoir.org.

2010-2011 Concert Season

All concerts begin at 7:30PM, unless otherwise noted

Catholic Church Dedication

On this Day of Joy and Gladness

Friday, August 27th, 7:00 PM

Catholic Church

Choral Festival

featuring Dr. Brady Allred, guest Director

Friday, September 10th & Saturday, September 11th

DSC Cox Auditorium

Senior Games Fireside

Go Forth in Faith

Sunday, October 10th, 7:00 PM, St. George Tabernacle

Fall Choral Concert

Melodies from Around the World

Friday, October 8th & Saturday, 9th, DSC Cox Auditorium

Temple Visitors Center Fireside

A Musical Salute to our Veterans

Sunday, November 7th, 7:00 PM, St. George Tabernacle

Veterans Day Salute

Heritage Christmas Concert

Sing Choirs of Angels - featuring the DSC Symphony Orchestra

Thursday, December 9th, St. George Tabernacle,

Saturday, December 11th and Sunday, December 12th

DSC Cox Auditorium

2011

Heritage Week Alumni Concerts

featuring our Distinguished Alumni on Tuesday

and our Young Emerging Artists on Wednesday

Tuesday, January 18th & Wednesday, 19th, DSC Cox Auditorium

Spring Choral Concert

Familiar Songs of Romance and Love

Friday, March 4th and Saturday, March 5th

DSC Cox Auditorium

Easter Concert

I am the Way, the Truth and the Light

Friday, April 22nd, 7:00 PM, St. George Tabernacle

Sunday, April 24th, DSC Cox Auditorium

Summer Choral Concert

Rock of Ages: A Hymn Festival

Friday, May 20th

DSC Cox Auditorium