WELCOME

On behalf of the board, musicians, and staff of Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, it is our pleasure to welcome you to Abravanel Hall and today’s concert featuring the incredible musicians of the Utah Symphony.

STEVEN BROSVIK President & CEO

USUO’s Education programs offer to the citizens of Utah one of the most extensive arts education initiatives by a professional musical arts organization in the United States. Our professional musicians provide students with the gift of live classical music and the inspiration to develop their own creative capabilities to enhance their lives. March is an appropriate time to reflect on the importance of this work, as it has been celebrated around the nation for more than 30 years as Music in Our Schools month. Sponsored by the National Association for Music Education, the initiative focuses the nation’s attention on the need for and benefits of quality music education programs. Bravo to the teachers, schools, and parents who make sure that music is part of the education of our youth! These programs are vital for creating well-rounded students, impart important lessons in discipline, creativity, and teamwork, and encourage higher graduation rates.

In March and April the Utah Symphony performs five dynamic Masterworks programs with richly sonorous compositions by Dvořák, Bruckner, Shostakovich, Sibelius, and Strauss often paired with contemporary works by living composers that engage and challenge our professional musicians while expanding our concepts of sound possibilities. We hope you return to the concert hall with the children in your lives for two family-focused Saturday morning concerts, FLY Dance Company: Breakin’ Classical and Philharmonia Fantastique: The Making of an Orchestra and that you join us for our tribute to George Gershwin including his iconic Rhapsody in Blue on our April 14-15 Entertainment Series concerts.

Thank you for joining us today. Your attendance at concerts and support of USUO ensures that the superbly creative people of this organization serve and inspire our community as deeply and broadly as possible.

P.S. Between now and May 1, 2023, you have an opportunity to double the impact of your contribution to USUO thanks to a generous $500,000 matching challenge grant from our Season Sponsor, the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation. Learn more at www.usuo.org/donate.