Empowering Students Through Transformative Music Education Programs

by Megs Vincent

For the past four decades, Utah Symphony | Utah Opera (USUO) has been at the forefront of music education and community engagement, providing over 300 performances and interactive opportunities annually. These programs are designed not only for students but also for adult learners, all presented by professional symphony musicians and opera artists, fostering a deep connection to the arts.

Mindful Music Moments

One of the most recent additions to USUO’s educational initiatives was the Mindful Music Moments program, introduced at the beginning of the 2023 school year. Developed in collaboration with mindfulness partner The Well, this program integrates guided listening exercises into the classroom. Spanning 40 weeks, the curriculum is available in both Spanish and English and includes daily mindfulness prompts followed by three to four minutes of orchestral music, including recordings of the Utah Symphony. These prompts help students develop awareness, listening skills, and an emotional connection to music, enhancing their overall learning experience. During the last year, the Mindful Music Moments program quickly gained popularity. Initially, USUO aimed to enroll ten schools, but due to overwhelming demand, they expanded to include 22 schools, 14 of which were “Title 1” schools.

An Epic Tradition

USUO’s longest-standing educational program is the Fifth Grade Concerts, a tradition started by Maurice Abravanel, the legendary past music director of the Utah Symphony. Each year, nearly 20,000 students fill Abravanel Hall to attend these concerts, many experiencing live symphonic music for the first time. The impact of these performances is profound, as students learn about composers and their music in an immersive and inspiring environment.

Orchestra in the Classroom

Additionally, USUO’s in-school symphony concerts bring the symphony experience directly to students. Led by 2024–25 Assistant Conductor Jessica Rivero Altarriba, these concerts showcase the instruments of the orchestra and various musical styles. Through these programs, students gain valuable skills such as listening, concentration, and visualization. “I love the teaching about music and its power,” says Altarriba. “It has such an amazing ability to tell stories, connect everyone together, and build our communities.”

Training Opera Artists

Another cornerstone of USUO’s education programs is the Utah Opera Resident Artist (RA) Program. This initiative offers international early-career artists the opportunity to hone their craft with in-house and guest mentors, while also performing in mainstage productions and engaging with the community. These RAs travel across the state, visiting more than 150 schools each year, and present programs like “Who Wants to Be an Opera Star?” which introduce opera to young audiences in an engaging and interactive format.

Overall Impact

In addition to these programs, USUO offers more than two dozen other educational opportunities, ranging from school performances to behind-the-scenes tours and classes for adult learners. These programs enhance the educational landscape and contribute to the community’s cultural richness.

Vice President of Education & Community Engagement Ben Kipp reflected on the work of USUO’s education team, emphasizing the joy and fulfillment that comes from bringing music to the community by stating:

“USUO has an incredible legacy of providing live performances of exceptional quality to generations of
Utahns. Our team gets to carry on that legacy, creating and designing experiences that are meaningful to communities throughout the state. My colleagues and I have a lot of fun, and we get to bring that fun with us into each program we offer—I think people see and feel that.”