Next Performance
50 Years and Counting: Celebrate a Half-Century with the SLS!
SLS is pleased to present a pre-concert lecture at 6:15 pm before the concert in room 270. Join us as we celebrate 50 years of music-making! In 1976, a group...
Director’s Message
Welcome to the 50th Anniversary Season of the Salt Lake Symphony! Jay Welch and the founding members started something amazing in 1976 when they first assembled some musicians “just to read through some music.” Every idea leads somewhere.Of course, musicians wanted to perform, so within a year, out fledging ensemble started playing concerts. The rest is history!
We have a fantastic season ahead of great music to celebrate 50 years of performances by this remarkable orchestra. Much of the music you’ll hear on each concert was suggested by our players, making it very much a team effort to design a great season. In fact, that is what defines this orchestra, almost better than any I have worked with – teamwork!
This year, we come together to present masterworks by Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Elgar, Shostakovich, and others. There will be a few surprises as well. We will open our 50th season with a world premiere by Utah composer, Andrew Maxfield, a new overture dedicated to our ensemble. Also noteworthy will be partnerships with celebrated soloists, young area musicians, and adding the Libby Gardner Hall Lively-Fulcher pipe organ to both our opening and closing concerts. Every concert promises a musical memory!
We are also proud to renew our commitment with our community partners, including the University of Utah School of Music, the VetTix Foundation, Zoo Arts and Parks, SLC Arts Council, Lawrence T. and Janet T. Dee Foundation, George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, and the Utah Division of Arts and Museums. We remain grateful for all our patrons, donors, and grantors. Together, we bring the music to our community.
Audiences regularly remark how moved they are after our performances. We are an amateur orchestra in the purest sense, performing for the love of music, yet also professional in our approach, maintaining a high standard of quality performances. The SLS is a collection of serious musicians with apassion for what they do, and is one of the most dedicated orchestras you’ll find anywhere. The talent, focus, and enthusiasm are second to none. Come experience it for yourself and celebrate a half-century of music-making with us!
See you at the concerts!
Sincerely,
Robert Baldwin
Music Director/Conductor
The Salt Lake Symphony is a proud supporter of VetTix, an organization that provides free tickets for active-duty military, veterans, and their families to attend community events.