Renowned conductor and former director of orchestras at the University of Northern Colorado to perform with Greeley Chamber Orchestra April 21

Russell Guyver to perform with the Greeley Chamber Orchestra Friday, April 21, 2023. Courtesy photo.

By Dan England

Dan Frantz asked his friend Russell Guyver if he wanted to be a guest conductor for the Greeley Chamber Orchestra’s last show of the season. Guyver told him no. But, Guyver said, if he could play his viola…

His answer surprised Frantz. Guyver, after all, was known better for his conducting and composing, not necessarily his playing. He retired just last May after 25 years as the director of orchestras at the University of Northern Colorado. UNC’s Symphony Orchestra won Downbeat Magazine’s award as “Best U.S. College Orchestra” an astounding 10 times, a designation that put it right up there with UNC’s nationally recognized jazz program. He also founded the String Orchestra of the Rockies, a professional chamber orchestra flourishing in Missoula, Montana and received an Emmy in 1991 for a score of a PBS show, “Laurence of Alaska.” 

All that work, however, made Guyver neglect his beloved viola, at least by his standards. Those standards were high: Guyver got a degree in viola performance at a prestigious music university and played extensively before turning to conducting. When he did, he would take a few gigs, especially in the summer, when he had a little time to work his playing back into shape.

“But I was never happy with it,” Guyver said. 

He’s back playing now, and he’s happy with it — mostly — and he will play as a guest soloist with Frantz’s chamber orchestra on Friday, April 21, along with the Greeley Chamber Choir. 

A few years ago, Guyver received a restored 300-year-old viola that was as gorgeous to look at as to play. The instrument, as well as a longing to perform again, made him think it was time to refocus.

For the chamber orchestra, he picked Vaughan Williams’ “Flos Campi” for viola, wordless choir and small orchestra. A friend invited him to play it a few years ago, and he worked it up, but the friend had a heart attack and died, so Guyver never got to perform it. It’s been on his bucket list since then. 

There were other bits of serendipity, including the fact that Williams’ recommended choir and orchestra matched the setup of the Greeley Chamber Orchestra and Choir, Frantz said. Frantz always admired Williams, who studied under the famous Maurice Ravel. Ravel said in admiration about Williams that he was the only student who didn’t try to copy his style. 

The piece features a bit of poetry and six distinct sections, though they aren’t movements, Frantz said. It’s challenging and isn’t performed often. It also has a distinct British feel, in the same way that Aaron Copeland’s music feels like Americana, Frantz said. Guyver, a Brit himself, agrees. 

“We thought it would be fun,” Frantz said, “and then I looked at it and said, ‘Well, that looks hard. But when you listen to it, it really is just beautiful.” 

Frantz admits to being a little scared to conduct in front of Guyver, who he greatly respects, but Guyver admits he’s scared too. He is back to playing a lot, especially in Cheyenne with its symphony, and is enjoying the viola. Their mutual fear, now, seems to have faded. 

“Of course, now I’m over being scared,” Frantz said. “He makes it so easy. Now I’m having fun.” 

To go

The concert is 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 21, in the sanctuary of Trinity Episcopal Church, 3800 20th St., Greeley. Tickets are $10 at the door, $5 for college students and youth 18 and under are free.