Concertos, popularized by classical-era composers like Mozart and Haydn, offer a unique performance experience. Unlike traditional concerts, they often feature a dynamic exchange between soloists and orchestras, much like a musical conversation.

At Bingham High, the annual Concerto Night is a time-honored tradition showcasing the talents of student instrumentalists. Directed by long-time orchestra teacher Jim Thompson, this year’s event will feature 11 student soloists—nine seniors and two juniors—who were selected to perform one movement from works by composers such as Edvard Grieg, Franz Haydn and Antonio Vivaldi.

The Concerto Night will take place at 7 p.m. on Feb. 20, and the community is invited to attend. At the close of the evening, the soloists will be honored with flowers for their performances.

After school was excused for winter break, Thompson sat in his office to review the repertoire for the upcoming concert.

“We have a marimba this year. We also have a saxophonist, two celloists, two violinists, a violaist, a clarinetist, a trombonist, a flutist and two pianists,” he said. “We’ve rented the music for the orchestra to perform with them; we’ll have January and February to rehearse.”

About 20 students auditioned for the opportunity to perform, presenting their skills before Thompson and an outside judge.

“We see how well they’re prepared, the difficulty of these pieces and how they’ve been practicing. If they’re not also in Bingham Symphony, they need to be in a regular curriculum performing class so that narrows down the auditions,” he said.

Thompson’s voice falters briefly as he reflects on the significance of this year’s event—his final Concerto Night at Bingham High. After teaching for 23 years at Bingham and 43 years in total, he plans to retire at the end of the school year.

“I’ve been teaching a long time and conducted many concerts. The first musical I directed the music for here was ‘Damn Yankees.’ I’ve done most of them twice,” he said.

Thompson came to Bingham High in 2001 when the former music teacher encouraged him to apply; the principal and a former district music supervisor supported the application. Before Bingham High, Thompson taught at Granger and Granite high schools, as well as two elementary schools and a junior high. He continues to work with the Granite Youth Symphony.

At first, teaching wasn’t Thompson’s intended career, but he’s grateful it became his path.

“I started teaching because I didn’t get in the Utah Symphony. I tried out; I made it on their sub list and played some ballets. Teaching has been fun and I like the kids. I was a music nerd, and I like being with the music nerds,” he said.

Thompson’s love for music came from his mother, a pianist and organist, who insisted he take lessons. He began piano at age 5 and violin at 6. In high school, he transitioned to string bass after the school orchestra needed one, eventually falling in love with the instrument.

“I played violin up through ninth grade and then switched to bass because the high school teacher needed a bass player. I fell in love with the bass. I played in the Mormon Youth Symphony and on the side I got lots of gigs. I’ve made money with it. I taught it. I’ve performed in concerts and some concertos. It’s my thing,” he said.

Thompson’s reputation as a musician extends far beyond teaching. He’s the associate conductor of the Murray Symphony, conductor of his neighborhood church orchestra and plays in City Jazz. For 26 years, he performed tuba with the National Guard Band and jazz quintet and played bells and cymbals in the marching band.

In 1994, Thompson traveled to Russia on a peace mission with the National Guard.

“It was soon after the (Berlin) wall came down (in 1989) and Russia had just gotten some freedoms, but in a lot of places, like at the airport, you could see where they had machine guns mounted on walls that used to be manned during the communist regime,” he said.

For 10 days, the National Guard band exchanged performances with Russian musicians. Thompson was struck by the Russian musicians’ skill despite having limited access to quality instruments.

“They played on some very bad instruments because they couldn’t get good instruments, and they had to hand copy because they didn’t have access to printers. But Russia is very cultured, very educated. There were lots of musicians on the streets who were very good. Even though we wore civilian coats and ties, they knew we were Americans, so they’d immediately start playing ‘Stars and Stripes Forever.’ I gave tips both in Russian rubles and American dollars to every musician,” he said.

Thompson earned a bachelor’s degree in music education and a K-12 teaching certificate, followed by a master’s in music and music education in the 1980s. He completed his doctorate in music education while still teaching. All his degrees are from the University of Utah, where he not only performed in the orchestra but also played bass guitar in the pep band at many football and basketball games.

“‘Utah Man’ - do I know the words? No, but I know the tune I played many times,” he said.

In his years at Bingham High, Thompson has taught the 97-member Bingham Symphony, string orchestra, symphonic orchestra, guitar classes, AP music theory, American music of the 20th century and even biology earlier in his career. He also teaches Music 1010, a music history class, and advises the school’s Utah Symphony club.

Thompson and other high school conductors oversee the Jordan School District’s 48-member honors orchestra, which was scheduled to perform at Bingham High on Jan. 23.

Even with his retirement approaching, Thompson remains passionate about inspiring his students.

“I tell this year’s kids, ‘they’re the best.’ It butters them up to keep practicing and keep playing beautifully,” he said.

The school’s music program will embark on a tour to California in April, performing at Disneyland and attending music clinics. Students will also take in a Los Angeles Philharmonic concert.

The spring will bring regional and state competitions, culminating in the Bingham Symphony’s year-end concert at 7 p.m. on May 22 at Libby Gardner Hall at the University of Utah.

“Fifteen years ago, we rented Abravanel Hall for the concert, but I prefer Libby Gardner Hall better. It’s smaller, more intimate, and near perfect as possible for acoustics,” Thompson said. 

Looking ahead, he added with a bittersweet smile, “That will be my last Bingham concert.”

In his office, a portrait drawn by a student depicts Thompson in his signature plaid shirt. On another wall, there’s a “Most Inspirational Teacher” certificate, as well as another labeled “Most Likely to Retire at Age 90.”

“My students gave me that, but I’m retiring because I’m old. I’m 68. My house is paid for. My solar panels are paid for. My wife and I would love to travel,” he said.

Despite saying he’s “old,” Thompson has no plans to slow down. 

“I live for hiking. I volunteer with a non-denominational Scout troop of 50 kids from East Millcreek, sponsored by the Millcreek Lions Club. I do the high adventure with the high school-aged kids, and I sit on their Eagle board of reviews,” he said. 

Thompson has hiked numerous routes, including the 10-mile Mayberry Lake trail in Little Cottonwood Canyon. He also enjoys Coyote Gulch in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, the Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho and the Wind River Range in Wyoming.

When he’s not hiking, Thompson enjoys kayaking, having paddled on rivers such as the Weber, Colorado, Green, Salmon and San Juan. He also spends time snowboarding in the backcountry, filming his son’s acrobatic tricks from the mountaintops.

Thompson’s children, who are all accomplished musicians, continue his musical legacy. His daughters play the cello and his sons play bass.

Thompson’s impact on the “thousands” of students he’s taught will leave a legacy at Bingham High. Many of his former students still recognize him around town, and he holds mostly fond memories, easily recalling those who performed in his groups.

“There are some kids who are naturally gifted, but every student can play,” he said. “They learn to put their fingers in the right place, they move the bow in the right place and apply the right pressure. It takes a lot to play. Some have an innate ability and can play gorgeous every time. Other kids, I teach and motivate. Concerto Night helps do that; it encourages them to start working hard as sophomores so by the time they’re seniors, they can audition and will be on the stage to perform.” λ