49 years ago
The Utah Valley Symphony was organized in 1959 as a non-profit organization. Its purpose was to give the talented local musicians an opportunity to use their talents and to provide the community with symphony music. It began as the Central Utah Community Orchestra and was then changed to the Utah Valley Symphony. The first orchestra had 30 members, and the first concert had an audience of eleven people, most of them relatives of the performers. In the following two years it grew to a full-sized orchestra using 75 to 80 members, depending upon the needs for a particular concert. The audience has increased to the point where three performances are required for each concert.
Today - 2007
Today, the Utah Valley Symphony gives five concerts (15 performances) every
season. See our concert season. To better serve our community and
increase awareness the UVS has 2 additional performances.
- In the fall the UVS has "School Concerts" for interested public schools to provide students a chance to experience a live peformance. This is held in the Provo Tabernacle.
- In February a the UVS performs a 'Thank You' concert at the Provo Eldred Senior Citizens Center. 48 years ago in February the Eldred Center became our rehearsal home. This concert is to say Thank You to the Eldred Center.
The Utah Valley Symphony has the full spectrum of ages; from college age to retiree age. The average age is approximately 45. These excellent musicians have varied backgrounds; music educators, private teachers, performance major graduates, and good musicians that love to play.
The UVS rehearses every Wednesday night from 7:30-9:30 at the Provo Eldred Center (270 W 500 N). Auditions are held every September and December. There is no audition fee or tuition fee to participate in the UVS.
Conductors for the symphony have served in the following order:
- James Mason and Jacob Bos
- Dr. Harold Goodman
- Dr. Lawrence Sardoni
- Dr. Glenn Williams
- Dr. Ralph G. Laycock
- Dr. Clyn D. Barrus
In the spring of 1998, Bryce Rytting was engaged as the current conductor of the Utah Valley Symphony.
The orchestra has an active Guild whose members raise funds for the orchestra, help at the concerts, and sponsor symposia prior to each concert.