Utah Chamber Artists Executive Director Rebecca Durham was born into a musical family. Her father, who directed the choral program at Utah’s Highland High School for 30 years, was her first music teacher. After spending most of her life studying piano and theory, her love of music led her to the University of Utah where she received her Bachelor of Music degree in Musicology in 1973. While there, she sang with the University of Utah A cappella choir under the direction of Newell B. Weight as well as the Chamber Choir led by Bernell Hales. Years later and after raising her family, she returned to the “U” and completed her M.A. degree. Her thesis examined the Lebewohl theme found in the Beethoven piano sonata of the same name.
Concomitant with her graduate studies, and at the invitation of her thesis adviser and the chairman of the music department, she established the university’s first Virtuoso Series. This concert series celebrated the grand opening of Libby Gardner Concert Hall, the School of Music’s renowned recital hall known for its beauty and acoustics. Because of Ms. Durham’s energy and vision, this ongoing series continues to feature preeminent solo performers and chamber groups from around the world and invigorates the musical life along the Wasatch Front.
A lifelong lover of choral music, Ms. Durham has administered the Utah Chamber Artists since 1993 as Executive Director. Her responsibilities include all aspects of managing–budget, planning, marketing, development, publicity, etc. She has overseen the production of several recordings and assisted the ensemble in its touring. Rebecca has sung alto with the group since its inception.
Ms. Durham served as manager of the Abramyan String Quartet for four years while at the University of Utah and has taught piano lessons for thirty years.
Rebecca is married to Thomas L. Durham, professor of music at Brigham Young University. She is the mother of three children, and has 5 grandchildren.
