Ghosts in Grafton, stolen quilts in Rockville and moonlight sonatas in Springdale. Red Rock Rondo performs Zion Canyon Song Cycle celebrating the history and contemporary life of Zion National Park and its neighboring communities. Performed on a lively assortment of guitars, violins, mandolin, mandocello, banjo, harmonica, button accordion, oboe, English horn, upright bass and vocals.
Red Rock Rondo's CD hit number 10 on the international FolkDJ charts, with the 7th ranked song: "When President Harding Came to Zion." It is number 5 on the Salt Lake Tribune's 2008 Top Ten list, with David Burger writing, "The best local album of the year comes from six Utah musicians who blend classical song structures with organic folk, telling a story about the state that is rich, evocative and loving."
Composer and former Springdale, Utah mayor Phillip Bimstein wrote Zion Canyon Song Cycle on a grant from the nationwide Continental Harmony commissioning program of the American Composers Forum. His alternative classical works have been performed at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Abravanel Hall, London’s Royal Opera House, and his new wave band's (Phil 'n' the Blanks) videos received much airplay on MTV in the 1980s. Bimstein teaches and speaks about Red Rock Rondo and issues related to music and community—for info see Composing a Community. He also performs with the chamber folk ensemble, blue haiku.
The members of Red Rock Rondo are the internationally-known recording artist Kate MacLeod, Deseret String Band and Cowboy Poetry Gathering founder Hal Cannon, Phillip Bimstein and fellow blue haiku members Harold Carr, Flavia Cerviño-Wood and Charlotte Bell, who also plays oboe and English horn with the Salt Lake Symphony. Their music is a well-crafted synergy of folk, pop and classical styles.
Red Rock RondoZion Canyon Song Cycle have been designated as signature projects of the 2009 Zion National Park Centennial, "A Century of Sanctuary." Several concerts and events will celebrate this centennial, as well as a CD (partially supported by the Utah Arts Council and Zion Natural History Association) and a PBS TV special, produced by the Western Folklife Center. To see production stills from the special CLICK HERE.
• To hear two Red Rock Rondo songs in National Public Radio's July 4, 2008 "All Things Considered" story about composer/songwriter Phillip Bimstein's music inspired by Zion National Park, CLICK HERE
• To hear Phillip Bimstein's alternative classical music CLICK HERE.
Red Rock Rondo is supported by Continental Harmony and Utah partners Mountain West Center for Regional Studies, the Utah Arts Festival, the Towns of Springdale and Rockville, Zion Natural History Association, Zion Canyon Field Institute, Tanner Summer Series, KRCL-FM and Utah Public Radio.
Thanks! We love the CD. Lynn shared it with us. We think Edgewalker is the best, of course. It is a wonderful combination of fun, beautiful songs. The Berryhills
What a wonderful sound you have! I wish I lived closer to SLC so I could come to one of your concerts. In the meantime, thanks for putting your music on myspace.
I was very moved by the "Hay Colored Leaves" track. Hearing such a melody was like a tunnel that ends in a colored garden full of friends and loved ones. Kate's voice was like a gift of spring.
"Driving Back Hurricane" was a pleasure as well. The music and mood you all are producing can only reflect a bond between the artists taking place.
Great work, congratulations to each and every one of you.
I just wanted to tell you all, that I enjoyed when you all came to Snow College. I really liked the stories put into songs! Thank you for helping the stories live on.
