Events

UofU Piano Monster Concert

Thank you for your interest in the UofU Piano Monster Concert! This event started in 1976! Up to 15 pianos fill the stage at Libby Gardner Concert Hall. I am the Community Liaison and work with the Director, Dr. Vedrana Subotic.

Requirements:

  1. Teachers add performers to the Google sheet (primo, secondo, contact info, etc.). See button below.
  2. Parents register student performers online for the UofU Piano Event: http://www.music.utah.edu (see button below).
  3. Parents purchase 2 adult tickets and allow student performers to be photographed and videoed during rehearsals and events.
  4. Parents/Teachers purchase original music and a white or black 1/2″ binder so the music does not fall off the piano.
  5. Student performers prepare to attend 1 group rehearsal and 1 dress rehearsal.
  6. Performers have a blast playing on stage at Libby Gardner Concert Hall with multiple pianos and a percussionist!
Google Doc
Music.utah.edu

    Overview

    Advanced piece: Pirates of the Caribbean, duet arranged by Bella & Lucas available on musicnotes.com. Four students allowed per teacher.

    Intermediate piece: Beach Party Boogie. Four students allowed per teacher.

    For a polished performance we rehearse walking on stage, bowing, performing, bowing, and leaving the stage.

    A few Saturdays prior to the Monster Concert, group rehearsals will take place at the group piano lab at Fine Arts West on the UofU campus or Gill Piano Studio.

    Performance attire or costumes are welcomed. No makeup on the performers’ hands.

    Contact me via email at GillPianoStudio@gmail.com after you have read the details below.

    Info Flyer for Advanced Piece

    1. 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
    2. Video of a great performance. https://youtu.be/nWW36eaDXZ4?si=zd2Qmx2jrHX9yhmP
    3. Rehearsals & tempo goals. TBD.
      • Saturday, April 25 @8 am, Gill Piano Studio in North Salt Lake
      • Saturday, May 2, @3:00 pm, Gill Piano Studio in North Salt Lake
      • Tuesday, May 5, 2026, TBA, 1 hour time slot, 12 pm – 9 pm, Libby Gardner Concert Hall
      • Wednesday, May 6, 2026, call time 6:15 pm, concert 7:30 pm, Libby Gardner Concert Hall
    4. Participation fee: Possibly $10-20 for the percussionist and any props or accessories for the group. Submit one week prior to Monster Concert @Barbara-Gill via Venmo.
    5. Attire for Pirates: black pants or skirt, white top, shoes. Solid red scarf/bandana as an accent as a belt, headpiece, or arm band.

    Info Flyer for participating in the intermediate piece: Beach Party Boogie by Melody Bober.

    1. 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.
    2. Video of a great performance.
    3. Rehearsals & tempo goals. TBD.
      • Saturday, April 25 @1:00 pm, Gill Piano Studio in North Salt Lake
      • Saturday, May 2, @8 am, Gill Piano Studio in North Salt Lake
      • Tuesday, May 5, 2026, TBA, 1 hour time slot, 12 pm – 9 pm, Libby Gardner Concert Hall
      • Wednesday, May 6, 2026, call time 6:15 pm, concert 7:30 pm, Libby Gardner Concert Hall
    4. Participation fee: Possibly $20 for the percussionist and any props or accessories for the group. Submit one week prior to the Monster Concert @Barbara-Gill via Venmo.
    5. Attire for Beach Party Boogie: TBD. Props may include sunglasses and beach balls.

    The following are highly recommended 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.

    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.