Orchestras at Utah

Orchestral ensembles have been an integral part of the musical experience at Utah for over 150 years. In fact, the Utah Symphony was founded on the campus and rehearsed and performed here for many years. Today, Utah orchestral students come from a variety of majors (both music and non-music majors). Many of the “U’s” orchestral students have continued to professional positions in music, education and the arts.

The Utah Philharmonia, conducted by Robert Baldwin, is a full orchestral ensemble of 85 members and is the core symphonic group at the university. Membership is competitive and by audition only. This pre-professional group performs 6-8 full concerts per year, presenting the full spectrum of the symphonic repertoire. Recent repertoire has included such works as Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite, Walton's Belshazzar's Feast, Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. Honors include performances for the 2007 College Music Society and National Association of Schools of Music conferences, the 2003 Utah Arts Festival, 2005 Utah Music Educator’s Conference and a tour of Austria in 2006. The Philharmonia performs the popular Halloween concert each October to sold out houses. The “Phil” also sponsors a concerto competition each year in which talented students compete for the opportunity to perform in concert. Recent guest conductors for the Phil have included Martyn Brabbins, Rauno Tikkanen and Wes Kenney.

Each season the “Phil” performs as a pit orchestra for the Utah Lyric Opera Theater. This is a valuable training experience for orchestral musicians. Members of the Utah Philharmonia form the Opera Orchestra each spring for this purpose. Recent productions include Don Giovanni and The Magic Flute by Mozart, The Bartered Bride by Smetana, Street Scene by Weill, and Gianni Schicchi and Suor Angelica by Puccini. Performances are in historic Kingsbury Hall.

The Chamber Orchestra, another ensemble formed with members of the Utah Philharmonia, is an smaller orchestral ensemble that performs a wide range of music, from the Baroque period to the present day. This group toured Austria in the spring of 2006 with performances in Salzburg, Graz and Vienna as part of the Mozart Orchestra Festival and Festival of American Music.

The University of Utah Symphony Orchestra is a 65-member campus-wide ensemble that performs three concerts each year. Musicians in this group come from a variety of disciplines, from music majors and minors to non-majors who enjoy performing and improving their musical skills. Graduate conducting students are often provided with opportunities to conduct this ensemble. The group rehearses on Wednesday evenings. New members must play an audition to join the ensemble.

Another opportunity for musicians at the “U” is playing chamber music, coached by our outstanding faculty. Student chamber ensembles perform in concert each semester. The Mt. Olympus String Quartet and the Tanner String Quartet (also known as the Honors Quartets) performs one full concert each semester. Membership in these ensembles is highly competitive and includes additional scholarship awards.

Orchestra and chamber music performances are staged in several world-class venues at the University of Utah. Most orchestral concerts are held in Libby Gardner Concert Hall, a 700-seat auditorium at the center of the music building. Chamber orchestra and chamber ensemble performances are held in Dumke Recital Hall and the Edgar Thompson Chamber Music Hall. All three of these facilities are housed in David Gardner Hall, home to the School of Music. Opera performances are held in Kingsbury Hall, adjacent to the School of Music.

For further information please contact:
Robert Baldwin, Director of Orchestral Activities
(801) 581-6692
Robert.Baldwin@music.utah.edu

For Audition Information Contact the Music Office: 801-581-6762