Utah Symphony Chorus

Fifty-eight years ago, Maurice Abravanel began his association and leadership of the Utah Symphony. He was said to be limitless. "There wasn't any work he wouldn't undertake. He changed the world. He changed the entire music world here." One of the first things he did was set about finding a group of singers that could undertake the great works that he had in store to perform with the orchestra. He turned to the University of Utah and Music Department Chairman President LeRoy J. Robertson, who agreed to let Abravanel use the University's choirs to combine forces and perform with the Symphony. The choirs were prepared by John Marlowe Nielson. Their first venture was Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, performed on March 13, 1948 in the Salt Lake Tabernacle.

Over the next two years the University choirs expanded to what went on to become today's Utah Symphony Chorus. Many things have changed over these 58 seasons. The very name of the Chorus changed from The University Chorale to The University Civic Chorale to The Utah Chorale to The Utah Symphony Chorus. Directorship has changed over these years as well. What was begun by John Marlowe Nielson (1948-1962) was refined by Dr. Newell B. Weight (1962-1982), then turned over to Dr. Edgar J. Thompson (1982-2003), and then given to Dr. Susanne Sheston (2004-present). The chorus has sung under the baton of Utah Symphony Music Directors Maurice Abravanel, Varujan Kojian, Joseph Silverstein, and Keith Lockhart, as well as guest conductors such as Robert Shaw, Carmen Dragon, Norman Leyden, Margaret Hillis, Roger Wagner, Peter Eros, and many others.

Fifty-eight years and a wealth of the world's greatest choral music later, we embrace the future and our great associations with Maestro Keith Lockhart, Pavel Kogan, Scott O'Neil, and the orchestra. The Utah Symphony Chorus is comprised of 160 volunteers from the community who meet once a week to prepare the choral masterworks and pops concerts needed by the Utah Symphony. The Utah Symphony Chorus performs 8 to 10 separate concerts per year with the Utah Symphony. Members are auditioned by the Symphony's Chorus Conductor. There is no limited time of service. We're proud to continue to provide outstanding music to the communities of Utah and beyond, and as always, to be the voice of the Utah Symphony!