Utah Symphony

The Utah Symphony Orchestra was formed in 1940 by the board of directors of the newly created Utah State Symphony Orchestra Association (UTSV-H1792), later renamed the Utah Symphony Society. Throughout its 36-year association with the state, the Utah Symphony Orchestra's two-pronged mission was to regularly perform symphonic programs and maintain the highest standards of music as well as develop, in-so-far as would be consistent with regard to business efficiency and artistic performance, the musical talent and resources of the state.

The Utah Symphony Orchestra was initially governed by a 25-member board of directors (later increased to 33 members). A musical director employed by the board recruited, hired, and conducted musicians. An associate conductor has been employed since 1948. Business affairs were handled by the manager (later called the executive director). As chief operating officer, the manager supervised the executive staff and ran the front office.

ORGANIZATION HISTORY: The Utah State Symphony Orchestra Association, meeting jointly with the art institute board (UTSV-H369), first convened on April 8, 1940. Association members scheduled a concert for May 8, 1940, and began the work of hiring a conductor and recruting musicains. Former mumbers of the Utah State Sinfonietta, a community orchestra established in 1935, formed the nucleus of the newly organized orchestra. A contingent of professional musicians augmented the holdover players. After six seasons, the board began upgrading the orchestra to a fully professional, full-time (52-week, year-round scheduled) organization. Organizational ties with the Utah Division of Fine Arts (USVT-H369) were served May 24, 1976, when the Utah Symphony Society became a non-governmental, publicicly supported, non-profit corporation. The Utah Symphony continues to receive funding from the Division of Fine Arts in the form of grants to non-profit arts organizations.

FUNCTINAL HISTORY: In keeping with board policy to supply employment and orchestral, choral, and operatic traning for native musicians, the Utah Symphony Orchestra has maintained a long-term association with the University of Utah. Beginning in 1948, the Utah Symphony became the official orchestra for the University's Summer Festival productions of opera and Broadway musicals, became in integral part of the University's ballet program, formed the pit orchestra for University Theatre productions, and utilized the Utah Chorale as its official recording and performing voice. Rehearsal quarters were secured in the annex, the orchestra's library became available for use by the music department, and symphony personnel instructed instrumental students.

The orchestar's concert schedule included subscription concerts in two cities, youth concert programs, student assembly school concerts, special performances, regular tours throughout Utah and the intermountain region, and special national and international tours. Symphony performances were regularly featured on local and nationwide radio broadcasts. A commercial recording program began in 1957. Utah Symphony musicians, billed as the Columbia Symphony, also participated in recordings of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on occasion. The Utah Symphony was the official orchestra for the annual Ballet West production of "The Nutcracker."

From the description of Agency History Record. (Utah State Archives). WorldCat record id: 151707549