UofU Piano Monster Concert
Thank you for your interest in the UofU Piano Monster Concert! This event started in 1976! We have up to 15 pianos on stage at Libby Gardner Concert Hall. As the Community Liaison, I will communicate between you and the Director, Dr. Vedrana Subotic.
Option 1: Join the Advanced community group or Intermediate community group led by Barbara Gill.
Advanced piece: Pirates of the Caribbean, duet arranged by Bella & Lucas available on music notes.com. Four students allowed per teacher.
Intermediate piece: Beach Party Boogie. Four students allowed per teacher.
Option 2: Form Your Own Group & Pick a Piece.
Lead Teacher Info: You can fill the 15 pianos (30 performers) by yourself or combine with other teachers to fill the spots. The theme is “Water Works.” I will submit your music choice to Dr. Subotic. I will contact you within a week with the approval. Please fulfill your commitment, and start rehearsing immediately for a polished performance including walking on, bowing, and leaving the stage.
The group piano lab at Fine Arts West on the UofU campus will be available on a few Saturdays prior to May 6. TBA. This piano lab provides a place to rehearse all together.
If participating in option 2: A month before the monster concert, you will need to send two alphabetical lists to Barbara Gill: 1) teachers involved in the group, and 2) students performing. If a teacher group is performing, you only need to send a list of the teacher performers.
You can coordinate performance attire or costumes to go with your piece. Please, no makeup on the performers’ hands.
Tuesday, May 5, 2026 is another opportunity to rehearse at Fine Arts West and then on stage at Libby Gardner Concert Hall.
Performer Requirement: The only requirement for participating in the UofU Piano Monster concert is the purchase of two adult tickets and a polished performance. The link for the ticket purchase is here: https://music.utah.edu/community/piano-monster-concert.php
Rehearsal & Performance: The rehearsal for Monday, May 4 is tentatively scheduled for noon to 9 pm. A time for your group is TBA. The concert on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 will begin at 7:30 pm and student performers will need to arrive between 6 and 6:30 pm. The final schedule will be announced two weeks before the event.
Liaison Coordinator Help: I will send a floor plan of the pianos on stage so you can assign performers specific positions. You can hire a percussionist to keep your group together. The UofU Percussion Department is an excellent resource with contacts listed below. To cover the cost of the percussionist, you can charge your own group a participation fee.
Steps for Interest in the Monster Concert
1. Fill out this Google Form https://forms.gle/GgHWq2YfS5kHGsqeA so I have more information on your group and contact info.
2. Wait for approval of your piece with the theme, “Water Works.” Make sure you are keeping with copyright laws. If the music is copyrighted, you are not allowed by law to make an arrangement of it.
3. When approval has been given, have your performers register with the following link https://music.utah.edu/community/piano-monster-concert.php
4. Contact a percussionist, if needed. The following are UofU Percussionists: Aidan Smith aidan.smith.601@gmail.com, Dallon Hansen dallonjameshansen@gmail.com, Drew Fallon dcfallonjr@gmail.com, Jacob Harker jacob.harker.8@gmail.com, Ryan Hushaw ryhushaw@gmail.com.
5. Set up rehearsals to ensure a polished performance.
Scroll down to past UofU Monster concerts which my studio and combined teachers have participated in.
Contact me via email at barbbgill@gmail.com
Details for participating in Pirates of the Caribbean or the intermediate piece:
- Piece: Pirates of the Caribbean (1 piano, 4 hands), arranged by Bella & Lucas. D Minor available on musicnotes.com. https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/bella-lucas/pirates-of-the-caribbean-medley/MN0189901
- Video of a great performance. https://youtu.be/nWW36eaDXZ4?si=zd2Qmx2jrHX9yhmP
- Rehearsals & tempo goals. TBD.
- April TBD. Fine Arts West, UofU Campus
- May 5, 2026, TBA, 1 hour time slot, 12 pm – 9 pm, Libby Gardner Concert Hall
- May 6, 2026, call time 6:15 pm, concert 7:30 pm, Libby Gardner Concert Hall
- Participation fee: Possibly $20 for the percussionist and any props or accessories for the group. Submit in April to @Barbara-Gill via Venmo.
- Attire for Pirates: black pants or skirt, white top, shoes. Solid red scarf/bandana as an accent as a belt, headpiece, or arm band.
Details for participating in the intermediate piece: Beach Party Boogie by Melody Bober.
- Purchase the music locally if possible. https://kjos.com/beach-party-boogie.html. If you print from sheetmusicplus.com make sure the first two pages are open like a book so page turns are the same for all pianists.
- Video of a great performance.
- Rehearsals & tempo goals. TBD.
- April TBD. Fine Arts West, UofU Campus
- May 5, 2026, TBA, 1 hour time slot, 12 pm – 9 pm, Libby Gardner Concert Hall
- May 6, 2026, call time 6:15 pm, concert 7:30 pm, Libby Gardner Concert Hall
- Participation fee: Possibly $20 for the percussionist and any props or accessories for the group. Submit in April to @Barbara-Gill via Venmo.
- Attire for Beach Party Boogie: TBD. Props may include sunglasses and beach balls.
Past UofU Monster Concerts
Amazing performances for “Just Dance!”
The UofU Piano Area Monster Concert is a highlight on the first Saturday in May. With 15 pianos on stage (5 grands and 10 uprights) and up to 30 performers playing at one time, it’s amazing. Usually, 10 groups perform a piece centered around the concert “theme.”
2025: Jumpin’ With Mr. Jordan by Eric Baumgartner for “Just Dance.” 20 students, 10 teachers!
2025: Save the Last Dance arranged by Nathan Schaumann, advanced teacher group! 11 teachers (one is not in the photo).
The secret to our success is a great piece/arrangement, outside rehearsal time as a group, and a percussionist.
For 2019, our group performed, “Tetris” for the video game theme. My student Elena performed.
For 2018, our group performed, “Fly Me to the Moon” for the “Out of this World” theme. My students Elena, Ben, Drew, and Damon performed.
Gill Piano Studio 