MUSIC EDUCATION OFFERINGS FOR STUDENTS
Providing opportunities for students in our community to learn about classical music is an important part of the Utah Symphony’s mission. We offer a variety of opportunities for individual students and classes to experience the Utah Symphony.
Salute to Youth Side-by-Side ConcertPERFORMANCE CLASSESHIGH SCHOOL MUSIC CLUBSOther Resources
SALUTE TO YOUTH
Entering its 65th year the Salute to Youth concerto concert is a long-standing Utah Symphony tradition in which Utah’s young musicians in piano, strings, winds, brass, percussion, harp, voice, and small ensemble compete for the opportunity to perform as a soloist with the Utah Symphony. This concerto competition is committed to supporting, fostering, and recognizing extraordinary young musicians in the state of Utah. Auditions are adjudicated by the Utah Symphony’s distinguished panel who look for exceptional technique and musicality. The final competition takes place in September with preliminary auditions in July. Up to two winners from each age division will solo with the Utah Symphony on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
Please email [email protected] with any questions.
- Congratulations to the young musicians who have been selected to perform in the 2025 Salute to Youth concert on November 12, 2025:
- Grant Brady, violin
- Joseph Wyatt Christensen, piano
- Shelby Gan, piano
- Octavia Gordon, violin
- Adrian McGill, oboe
- Scott Pickett, cello
- Gabriel Taylor, guitar
- Check back soon for event information, as well as performers headshots and biographies!
APPLICANT DIVISIONS
PIANO | STRINGS | WINDS | BRASS | PERCUSSION | HARP | VOICE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Elementary Division | Age 8-12 | Age 8-12 | N/A | N/A | N/A | Age 8-12 | N/A |
Junior Division | Age 13-15 | Age 13-15 | Age 13-17 | Age 13-17 | Age 13-17 | Age 13-15 | Age 16-18 |
Senior Division | Age 16-19 | Age 16-19 | Age 18-21 | Age 18-21 | Age 18-21 | Age 16-19 | Age 19-23 |
| ENSEMBLE: Groups are allowed to be mixed in age/division. Students do not need to be in the same division as each other when performing together as an ensemble. |
|---|
SIDE-BY-SIDE CONCERT
Utah Symphony invites high school aged students (grades 10-12) to audition to play in a concert side by side with Utah Symphony musicians. This unique experience gives students valuable mentorship from world-class musicians as well as the opportunity to perform next to them on the Abravanel Hall stage. Students will have rehearsals with Utah Symphony Assistant Conductor Jessica Rivero Altarriba, Creative Partner David Robertson, and Music Director Designate Markus Poschner as well sectional coachings with Utah Symphony musicians. Students will then perform side by side with Utah Symphony under the direction of Markus Poschner on Tuesday, May 19 at 7:30 PM.
IMPORTANT DATES
- February 13 – Deadline to submit application, payment, and recording
- February 25 – Selected students announced
- April 15 – Rehearsal
- April 21 – Rehearsal
- April 27 – Rehearsal
- May 4 – Rehearsal
- May 12 – Rehearsal
- May 18 – Rehearsal
- May 19 – Concert
The application for the 2026 Side-by-Side Concert is now open. Please read the 2026 Side-by-Side Information Packet and review the audition excerpts before applying.
If you have any questions about the application process please email [email protected].
PERFORMANCE CLASSES
Utah Symphony | Utah Opera hosts performance classes with our musicians as well as visiting guest artists. The public is welcome to observe these classes. There are currently no performance classes scheduled. To be notified when performance classes happen, please sign up for our monthly education newsletter.
HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC CLUBS
Enjoy great performances at a special low price in collaboration with Utah Symphony | Utah Opera! Gather your students (or classmates) and choose 4+ performances to create your custom package.
Who is invited to attend?
- High School students may order tickets and attend on their own.
- Teachers and non-teacher adults are invited to accompany students as chaperones (only 1 adult per 7 students).
Which performances are eligible?
- Select Utah Symphony Masterworks and Pops performances*
- Friday and Saturday evenings, start times may vary
- All performances at Maurice Abravanel Hall
- Utah Opera-Tunities Final Dress Rehearsals
- Thursday nights at 7 PM
- 4 rehearsals scheduled at JQL Capitol Theatre
- Utah Symphony at The Noorda
- Thursday nights at 7:30 PM
- 2 concerts at The Noorda Center for the Performing Arts (UVU in Orem)
*Some restrictions may apply. Contact USUO Patron Services for assistance.
How much are tickets?
- Students:
- Public and Charter Schools: $5/Symphony; Operas are FREE
- Private and Home Schools: $5/Symphony; $5/Opera
- Advisors/Teachers:
- ONE adult may accompany students for FREE to each selected performance
- Public and Charter Schools: $20/Symphony; Operas are FREE
- Private and Home Schools: $20/Symphony; $5/Opera
- Additional Advisors/Teachers OR Non-teacher adult chaperones: $20/Symphony; $5/Opera
Want even more from your High School Music Club? Consider scheduling a tour of one of our buildings (Maurice Abravanel Hall or Utah Opera Production Studios), or a classroom introduction to one of the operas during the school day. Additional interests can be selected on STEP 5 of the online ticket request form.
SIGN UP today to explore the season and secure your seats!
OTHER RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS
