CASA - The Contemporary A Capella Society

Neilsen
said the group "made every reasonable attempt" to discuss its concerns
with Brady Allred, artistic director of Utah Choral Artists. "But those
concerns were either completely ignored or not taken seriously."

Allred could not be reached for comment, but a representative
from Utah Choral Artists said she is confident the dispute can be
resolved without going to court.

"We intend to resolve as quickly as possible any
misunderstanding that has occurred," said Christine Clark, acting
general manager of Utah Choral Artists. "Our intention is to cooperate
fully so that this will be cleared up."

However, she would not say Thursday whether the group would
give up the name, and on Wednesday said they would continue with the
current moniker.

Neilsen said there have been "innumerable" instances in which
the groups were confused. Venues have mixed them up; a radio announcer
gave away free tickets to a concert, but misidentified which group was
performing; a master recording of a concert was delivered to Utah Chamber mislabeled as the work of the other group; and the confusion hampers fund raising and "creates the
likelihood that a donor may mistakenly donate funds to the wrong
group," according to the lawsuit. The dispute comes after nearly two
decades of amiable coexistence. The Utah Chamber Artists has performed
classical works around the Salt Lake Valley for more than 15 years. The
Utah Choral Artists has performed for some 25 years, first as the Jay
Welch Chorale, then the Legacy Chorale, and finally, in 2004, as the
Utah Choral Artists.

Ardean Watts, professor emeritus of music at the University of Utah, said he wasn't confused by the names, but pointed

out that he has been aligned with the Chamber Artists for years.

But Grant Clayton, a Salt Lake attorney who handles trademark
issues but is not affiliated with either group or the lawsuit, said he
thought the case was a strong one. "I can't keep them straight," he
said in referring to the court filing.

Clark is confident the case will go no further. "I think [Utah
Chamber Artists] are a wonderful group," she said. "We're very
committed to continuing on with our mission and supporting the other
group in doing the same."

However the case is resolved, Watts said he was saddened by the events.

"It

hurts me that such things would be settled in a suit of some kind because music doesn't need that," he said.

Reprinted with permission from the Salt Lake Tribune: http://sltrib.com/ci_3401750