Orchestra

Terence Kern, Ballet West Music Director and Principal Conductor

Terence Kern graduated from the University of Wales and went on to study piano and conducting at the Guildhall School of Music in London. After studying with Nadia Boulanger and Constantin Silvestri, he won the school’s coveted Conductors Prize. Conducting became a calling that would take Kern around the world. He began his career as Staff Conductor for the Sadler’s Wells Opera Company (now the English National Opera). In 1972, he became Music Director for the London Festival Ballet and remained their Music Director for eight years. During this time, he made major ballet recordings for E.M.I.  In 1980, he became the Music Director for the Scottish Ballet and later for the Joffrey Ballet. While working with the Joffrey Ballet, Kern also conducted most of the leading symphony orchestras in the United States. Kern has traveled the world as a freelance conductor. His freelance conducting positions with Ballet West led to a permanent position with the Company as Music Director and Principal Conductor, a position he has held since 1988.

The Utah Chamber Orchestra

The Utah Chamber Orchestra was formed in 1978. Music for more intimate settings from the Chamber Orchestra literature was performed in venues that included St. Mark’s Cathedral‚ the Presbyterian Church and the Assembly Hall on Temple Square in Salt Lake City.

After 24 seasons with the Utah Symphony Orchestra‚ Donald Basinger endeavored to bring this literature to the community. After the Utah Chamber Orchestra was established‚ other musical organizations requested collaborative efforts to perform the great choral/orchestral literature. These included the Utah Symphony Chorus‚ Pro Musica‚ the Southern Utah Chorale‚ the University of Utah A Cappella Choir‚ Utah Opera‚ the Utah State University Choirs‚ and Classic Concerts‚ Inc. Performance venues included the Tabernacle on Temple Square‚ Abravanel Hall‚ the Capitol Theatre‚ the Salt Palace Convention Center‚ and many local churches.

In 1990‚ The Utah Chamber Orchestra began accompanying Ballet West in numerous productions. Conducted by Maestro Terence Kern‚ the Orchestra performs for nearly 100 of Ballet West’s performances each year.