This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The teen members of Utah Youth Symphony Orchestra and Utah Youth Philharmonic have spent years honing their skills on their chosen instruments. But for their final performance of the season on Saturday, May 14, the young musicians will leave their flutes, violas, trombones and other instruments in their cases.

The two separate, but equal, orchestras for high-school-age musicians — roughly 200 players in all — will combine forces to perform "HandsFree," an intricate body-percussion piece by British composer Anna Meredith. It's a piece in which all sense of orchestra hierarchy falls away as the performers (divided randomly into six groups) clap, slap, snap and beat-box for 14 minutes. Meredith wrote the piece for the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain for a 2012 performance in London's Royal Albert Hall; despite inquiries from 43 other orchestras, Utah Youth is the first group to present it since then.

"It gives the musicians a whole different sense of rhythm and body awareness," said Barbara Scowcroft, a Utah Symphony violinist who is wrapping up her 30th season as music director of Utah Youth. "It's a totally different brain focus; that's why I was drawn to it." Scowcroft, who also does some conducting on the Utah Symphony's educational concerts, said she learned of "HandsFree" from symphony education manager Beverly Hawkins about a year ago; "by June, it wouldn't leave my mind."

The conductor herself will be in the throng as a member of Group 2. But she isn't concerned about undermining her own authority with her musical protégés. "I've always treated them as equals; there's a tremendous amount of respect both ways," Scowcroft said. "We have a really tight trust. It's fabulous being on the same quote-unquote playing level."

Choreographer David Ogle leads a recent rehearsal for "HandsFree." (Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)

Zions Bank president and CEO Scott Anderson, a longtime arts advocate, flew Meredith and choreographer David Ogle to Salt Lake City in February for four days of rehearsal.

"Within the four-day intensive the kids had the piece down, memorized," said Jon Kahananui, who assists Scowcroft in mentoring the young musicians. "It's truly a remarkable piece."

The performance of "HandsFree" also will feature five dancers from Repertory Dance Theatre, which Scowcroft said she was eager to include because the modern-dance company is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

The concert will open with Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4. Utah Youth Junior Symphony, an ensemble for intermediate-level players that operates under the Utah Youth Orchestras & Ensembles umbrella, will join the high-school musicians in the symphony's final movement. —

All hands on deck

The 200-plus young musicians of Utah Youth Orchestras & Ensembles will join forces in their season finale.

With • Conductor Barbara Scowcroft and guest dancers from Repertory Dance Theatre

When • Saturday, May 14, 7 p.m.

Where • Abravanel Hall, 123 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City

Tickets • Free; all ages welcome