American West Symphony and Chorus conductor Joel Rosenberg has been around the world. He has studied in Italy and New York and has performed in Japan, New Zealand and Australia, just to name a few.
Most recently, the conductor was asked to join the viola section of the Oregon Symphony to perform and record composer Erich Korngold's Symphony in F# Minor Opus 40.The American West Symphony and Chorus will perform Friday, Dec. 5, at Alta High School and Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12-13, at the First Presbyterian Church. The performances, which feature guest soprano Julie Wright and bass Frank Basile, include Dvorak Te Deum Opus 103 and Vivaldi's Viola Concerto. The show will end with the opera "Amahl and the Night Visitors."
So, how did Rosenberg develop his love for music?
"My mother is a pianist and my father is a cellist," Rosenberg said. "So there was a lot of music in the house. I heard everything from Chopin etudes symphonies and chamber music. We also had artists frequently visit our house. So my exposure to music started when I was a very young boy."
But, Rosenberg added, there wasn't a lot of pressure for him to venture into the music profession.
"I just did it because I liked what I was hearing," he said.
Rosenberg studied and graduated from Julliard. He then returned to Salt Lake City and became a member of the Utah Symphony. He received a master's degree in music from the University of Utah and eventually became the associate conductor of the University of Utah Symphony and Youth Orchestra.
The conductor also studied the violin and the art of conducting in Rome under violist Bruno Giuranna at the Academia Musicali Chigiana's summer conservatory.
Among the other musical highlights of Rosenberg's life are his experiences conducting the New Zealand Opera Company and the New Zealand Philharmonia. He spent seven months with the Australian Ballet where he performed in the Sydney Opera House, the Melbourne Opera House and in New Castle. He even participated in a tour of Japan with Sony Music.
Five years ago, Rosenberg was called to guest conduct the 65-member American West Symphony and Chorus in Sandy.
"I became conductor shortly after that," Rosenberg said. "I'm grateful for the dedication, the hard work and quality the symphony artists have. We meet once a week and we're very dedicated.
"I'm also grateful for the support of the Sandy City Council who supports us wonderfully," Rosenberg said. "Without them, we wouldn't be where we are today."
The next project for Rosenberg will be conducting the Intermountain Classical Orchestra on Saturday, Jan. 3, at Abravanel Hall.
"I'm looking forward to that," the conductor said. "It's to commemorate George Gershwin's 100th birthday, and we'll be playing the second Rhapsody of `Rhapsody in Blue,' Concerto in F and `I've Got Rhythm' variations.
"I really love what I do."