Bryce Rytting, newly appointed conductor of the Utah Valley Symphony and music instructor at Brigham Young University, counts himself fortunate to be associated with good people who he feels have added immensely to his life.
A native Utahn, Rytting began his service with the symphony as a guest conductor, filling in during the illness of then-conductor Clyn Barrus. This, too, gives him a good feeling, because Barrus was an important person in Rytting's life, a close friend, a mentor, one he felt comfortable talking with and learning from.Rytting conducted the first fall 1997 concert and the spring and pops concerts in 1998. He enjoyed that experience and seemed to be drawn to the orchestra members. Following the close of the 1997-98 season he was asked by the symphony's board if he would assume permanent position as the conductor. He gladly accepted.
"I felt like it was a place where I could be helpful," he said. "I enjoy the orchestra members. I feel like they are my friends," he said. He is constantly impressed with the effort the orchestra members expend, not only in their service with the symphony but in their own lives.
Concertgoers will find variety in this and upcoming seasons. In addition to performing audience favorites, Rytting would like to poll concertgoers and the public to see what they would like to hear. He also plans to program the complete works of Beethoven, music by Handel and a concert that will appeal to children.
The next concerts by the Utah Valley Symphony will be Dec. 9-19, with a variety of favorites and Christmas music. Next up, on Jan. 27-28, will be the winners of the Young Artists in Concert competition.
The symphony's spring concert promises to be a special occasion, with the world premiere performance of Utah composer Helen Taylor's Symphony No. 1. Taylor is the late wife of noted pianist Grant Johannesen, who will be the guest artist for the evening. Johannesen will perform as well as introduce his wife's piece.
Rytting says that it isn't easy to get an orchestra to play new music, but he feels it is important to invest in the future of music and not resist new works. He would like to help audiences understand and enjoy the "voices of our times."
Closing out the 1998-99 season will be the Pops Concert, with Kathryn Laycock Little performing music from the movies.
Rytting said he discovered early on in his career that working only with music made him "feel one-sided" and that he needed "a counterbalance." For that he chose the outdoors. He enjoys hiking, listening to the babbling of mountain streams and seeing the many varieties of trees, birds, all of nature's masterpieces.
Rytting, who has lived in Germany, London and New York, says he was fortunate to live in varied places while pursuing his musical career.
In addition to his responsibilities with the Utah Valley Symphony, Rytting has a full slate of activities at BYU, including conducting the opera "Cosi Fan Tutti" and doing the Nutcracker at Christmastime, as well as his everyday teaching duties.