Impact Report

MAKING AN IMPACT

BRINGING UTAH TOGETHER THROUGH GREAT LIVE MUSIC

SEASON SPONSOR

DEAR FRIENDS,

Thank you to everyone who played a role in a truly transformative 2024–25 for Utah Symphony | Utah Opera (USUO), a year where we achieved remarkable artistic, financial, and community milestones together. We created incredible artistic experiences to connect our community through great live music—from chamber music in schools throughout Utah, to large scale orchestral and operatic works, to music under the stars at the Deer Valley® Music Festival. We also had record ticket sales, surpassed our fundraising goals, and significantly reduced a projected deficit.

Furthermore, we finalized our artistic leadership with Music Director Designate Markus Poschner and Principal Guest Conductor Delyana Lazarova, cemented our national reputation by hosting the League of American Orchestras National Conference, and secured the future of Maurice Abravanel Hall. Looking to the future, we are building on this momentum by expanding our community-focused mental health programs, and deepening our relationships with donors and audiences across the state.

USUO’s statewide Education and Community Engagement programs traveled more than 12,000 miles, delivering over 290 performances and reaching more than 100,000 students and teachers. Programming extended across rural, frontier, and urban communities throughout Utah.

Additionally, 2024–25 saw the completion of year three of our five-year strategic plan focused on relationshipbuilding with our varied communities; artistic growth and creativity; fostering an innovative, supportive, and united organizational culture; and financial stability. The report that follows shows that we are achieving what we set out to accomplish and that we are indeed fulfilling our mission to connect the community through great live music. We could not have done all this without you and your passion and dedication to Utah Symphony | Utah Opera.

WITH IMMENSE APPRECIATION,

STEVEN BROSVIK PRESIDENT & CEO

THE O.C. TANNER CHAIR (photos, this page) USUO musicians in performance (right page) USUO high school performance

STRENGTHENING OUR STATEWIDE CONNECTIONS

THIS YEAR, USUO TRAVELED A COMBINED 12,085 MILES AND PERFORMED 42 IN-SCHOOL SYMPHONY CONCERTS AND 129 OPERA PERFORMANCES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

The maps below reflect how seriously we have taken the “Utah” in our name over the past year!

SYMPHONY VISITS

OPERA RESIDENT VISITS

“We were able to attend your performance at Farmington High School today. Our class thinks that was the best music we’re ever heard!… After your performance, here are the instruments we want to try: harp, drums, piano, violin, flute, trombone.”

CLASS AT EAST LAYTON ELEMENTARY, LAYTON

ARTISTIC MOMENTUM

UTAH SYMPHONY | UTAH OPERA’S 2024 –25 SEASON MARKED SIGNIFICANT ARTISTIC AND INSTITUTIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS — BOLSTERING USUO’S PLACE AS UTAH’S PREMIER CULTURAL AMBASSADOR.

ROBUST ARTISTIC LEADERSHIP

Utah Symphony concluded an international search with announcement of its new Music Director Designate, Markus Poschner, in November 2024. Maestro Poschner conducted thrilling performances of Beethoven’s “Heroic” Symphony No. 3 during the week his appointment as Utah Symphony Music Director was announced. Among appearances by Creative Partner David Robertson was a memorable program pairing Steve Reich’s minimalist The Desert Song with Stravinsky’s explosive The Rite of Spring

Rounding out the current cohort of USUO appointments in 2024 is Delyana Lazarova, who was named Principal Guest Conductor in December 2024.

Music Director Emeritus Thierry Fischer returned to Abravanel Hall for Mahler’s symphonies No. 5 and 6, and again in June 2024 for concerts featuring contemporary works by French, Mexican, and American composers as Utah Symphony hosted 1,100 attendees for the annual League of American Orchestras Conference. A post-conference survey of attendees garnered the

highest approval rating of any League conference in its 80-year history.

Additionally, Austin McWilliams began his tenure as Chorus Director & Opera Assistant Conductor at Utah Symphony | Utah Opera with the 2024–25 season.

WORLD-CLASS GUEST ARTISTS AND PRODUCTIONS

The orchestra welcomed renowned artist Yo-Yo Ma to a sold-out concert for a memorable performance of Dvořák’s Cello Concerto. Among other celebrated soloists were violinists Randall Goosby, Augustin Hadelich, and Charles Yang, and pianists Orli Shaham and Benjamin Grosvenor.

Utah Opera opened the season with Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd. Hansel and Gretel by Humperdinck followed in January 2025, the season’s family-friendly production. We returned to opera’s Italian roots for our March production of Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, and Puccini’s Madame Butterfly in May—the latter re-imagined within the framework of a virtual reality

game that kept the emotionallycharged story and music intact while acknowledging its Western cultural preconceptions.

Celebrated Pops artists performing with the orchestra at the Deer Valley® Music Festival included Common and Lindsey Stirling.

SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY’S WELLNESS

A program launched this year that illustrates our commitment to “bring the community together with great live music” is USUO’s Well-Being Concert Series in collaboration with a similar program at Carnegie Hall.

The Well-Being Concert Series offers intimate, restorative musical experiences in collaboration with the University of Utah and Utah Symphony artists. These events are designed to support emotional and psychological well-being through music—both in healthcare and public gathering spaces. The series continues to serve as a model for how orchestras can meaningfully engage in the broader health and wellness of their communities.

(this page)

1. Common performing at Deer Valley® Music Festival

2. A Well-Being Concert in the lobby of Abravanel Hall

3. A performance of Sondheim & Wheeler’s Sweeney Todd

4. Augustin Hadelich playing Brahms’ Violin Concerto

(left page)

1. Markus Poschner conducting Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3

2. A performance of Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci

COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR USUO

FUNDING PARTNERS

Utah Symphony | Utah Opera is fortunate to have funding partners that underscore broad community support locally and across the nation, including:

• The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation—whose support through a major challenge grant helps us grow and retain a healthy donor base

• O.C. Tanner—who made a major sustainability gift in support of USUO’s mission

• AHE/CI Trust—whose generous challenge grant provided major support for Utah Opera’s innovative new production of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly

• The Utah Legislature—whose legislative appropriation and support of the Utah POPS arts education helps facilitate USUO’s exemplary statewide reach

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Individual community member support is especially important to USUO. Highlights from the past year include:

• The Outpouring of Support for Abravanel Hall a petition to save Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City garnered over 50,000 signatures, leading to the hall’s inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places

• Partner with a Player—USUO donors partnered with musicians and artists through generous contributions

• Planned Gifts—USUO benefited from thoughtful donors who included USUO in their estate planning

• ZAP—the voters of Salt Lake County continue to overwhelmingly support the Zoo, Arts, and Parks initiative that supports arts and cultural nonprofit organizations through grants

(this page)

1. Puccini’s Madame Butterfly

2. Maurice Abravanel Hall

3. Utah Symphony with Markus Poschner

(right page)

1. Celebración Sinfónica

2. Revolution: The Music of the Beatles

PROVIDING TICKETS FOR GOOD CAUSES

Each year, USUO partners with community groups representing underserved populations, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Guadalupe School, Neighborhood House, Salt Lake County Aging, VetTix, and many more. Over FY25, we supported fellow nonprofits and community organizations.

9,260 COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS TO COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS

526 TICKET VOUCHERS TO FELLOW NONPROFITS FOR AUCTION AT FUNDRAISERS

$391K+ VALUE OF DONATED TICKETS

MUSIC IS FOR EVERYONE

USUO belongs to our entire community and we offer performances for nearly every musical taste. Particularly popular programs include:

• Family Series Concerts designed especially for children ages 3 to 10

• The fiddle, harp, bagpipes, and angelic vocals of Irish ensemble Celtic Woman

• Celebración Sinfónica, a festival presented as part of Hispanic Heritage Month

• An opera performance of Sondheim & Wheeler’s Sweeney Todd

• Films in Concert , where scores were performed live in sync with movies like Jurassic Park, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and more

• Music familiar to gamers of all ages at Video Games Live

• Symphonic works that have crossed into pop culture, such as Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture

• A tribute to timeless pop at Revolution: The Music of the Beatles

• At the Deer Valley ® Music Festival Common, Lindsey Stirling, Sutton Foster & Kelli O’Hara, and The Music of Journey

• Well-Being Concerts, where musical experiences are presented to promote emotional and psychological well-being

19K+ FIRST-TIME TICKET BUYERS IN FY25

LEADING THE NATION IN EDUCATIONAL IMPACT

EDUCATIONAL PERFORMANCES

• 5th Grade Concerts—a 40+ year tradition inviting students on a field trip to Abravanel Hall for a unique symphony experience

• In-School Symphony Concerts—the orchestra travels statewide with curated programs for elementary and secondary students

• Opera Up Close—secondary choral students gain insights from Resident Artists about life as an opera singer

• Opera 101 & Freeze Frame—secondary school programs introduce students to opera through engaging live performances that build musical understanding and active audience skills

• Who Wants to Be an Opera Star—Resident Artists introduce elementary students to opera through a game-show style presentation

PERSONAL INSTRUCTION

• Mindful Music Moments—teachers use professional recordings, complete with guided listening prompts that invite students to listen closely to musical elements such as rhythm, melody, dynamics, instrumentation, and form

• Musicians & Conductors in the Classroom USUO artists visit schools to lead rehearsals, facilitate discussion, and collaborate directly with students

BEHIND-THE-SCENES OPPORTUNITIES

• Open Rehearsals—students observe the symphony preparing for a performance

• Opera-tunities—students attend an opera dress rehearsal and engage in interactive learning activities that deepen and enrich their experience

• Venue Tours—from exploring backstage to learning about the careers, students explore behind-thescenes of our venues not usually seen by audiences

STUDENTS ON STAGE

• Music! Words! Opera!—elementary students create and perform original short operas alongside the guidance of professional artists and composers

• Salute to Youth—some of our state’s most hardworking young musicians have the chance to be soloists with the symphony, a 65-year tradition

• Side-by-Side—student musicians rehearse and perform at Abravanel Hall alongside their professional Utah Symphony counterparts

• Youth Orchestra Festival—over 15 youth orchestras from all over the state perform at Abravanel Hall

(this page)

Conductor in the Classroom visit with USUO Assistant Conductor

Jessica Altarriba

(right page)

1. Access to Music concert at the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre

2. Fifth grade students arrive for a concert at Abravanel Hall

3. Schoolchildren participating in Mindful Musical Moments

LIFELONG LEARNING

• Masterworks Magnified—lobby activities, conversations from the stage, and visual elements during the concert provide an immersive experience

• Osher Classes—through the University of Utah’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, adults develop a deeper understanding of the works we perform

• Professional Development—teachers attend talks before Masterworks and Utah Opera programs for re-licensure credit

• Concert and Opera Chats—artists and other experts share insights, before or after performances

• Presentations in the Community—learning opportunities at gathering places, such as social clubs and libraries, meet people where they are

“Thank you very much for providing such opportunities like this for the blind. These events mean so much to us and help to make us feel ‘normal’ and seen. Thank you again.”

BLIND & VISUALLY IMPAIRED NIGHT ATTENDEE

ACCESSIBLE LEARNING

• Access to Music—those with sensory sensitivities and other disabilities enjoy a relaxed environment and can fully express themselves during this annual concert

• Blind & Visually Impaired Night—opera is experienced through accommodations such as audio description headphones, braille supertitles, and props and fabric swatches passed around the audience

• Music for Healing—since some who need music’s healing powers are unable to travel, we bring performances to facilities such as Sophie’s Place at Primary Children’s Hospitals in both Salt Lake and Lehi

“It was such a treat!! The kids loved it. So fun to watch the students’ jaws drop when they started singing. So grateful for this program and for the chance to listen to these phenomenal voices UP CLOSE… Thank you so much.”

TEACHER AT NORTH CACHE MIDDLE SCHOOL, RICHMOND

NEW INVESTMENTS TOWARD

FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

In our first three years of the current strategic plan, we achieved our targets for both ticket sales and fundraising. However, implementing our strategic plan required an additional investment of financial resources; for this reason, a portion of Utah Symphony | Utah Opera’s cash reserve funding was used to cover the gap between earned and contributed revenues and expenses.

TICKET SALES

• In FY25, we sold 193,034 tickets, increasing the number of paid tickets by 9% compared to the previous year and achieving USUO’s highest sales revenue on record

FUNDRAISING

• Our community stepped up to support a challenge grant for Utah Opera’s production of Madame Butterfly

• In both FY24 and FY25, we met the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation’s challenge grant, which matches up to $500,000 raised from new donors and from donors who increase their gifts from the previous year—thank you to all who participated

• Our fundraising efforts over the past two fiscal years were encouraging due to the generosity of our individual, foundation, corporate, and public donors—thank you!

FY26 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

ELECTED BOARD

Annette W. Jarvis* Chair

Judy Moreton*

Joanne F. Shiebler*

Thomas Wright* Vice Chairs

Jason Englund* Secretary

Steven Brosvik* President & CEO

Dr. Stewart E. Barlow

Larry Brownstein

Paul E. Burdiss

George Cardon-Bystry

Gary L. Crocker

John D’Arcy*

David L. Dee

Barry L. Eden*

Senator Luz Escamilla

Jonathan Freedman

Brandon Fugal

Marie Gochnour Gardner

Dennis H. Hranitzky

Stephen Tanner Irish*

Thomas N. Jacobson

Abigail E. Lowder

Derek B. Miller

Dr. Dinesh C. Patel

Frank R. Pignanelli*

Gary B. Porter

Jennifer Price-Wallin

Shari H. Quinney

Miguel R. Rovira

Stan Sorensen

Aaron Starks

Clint Stone

Dr. Shane D. Stowell

Thomas Thatcher

W. James Tozer, Jr.

David Utrilla

Sharlene Wells

Don Willie

Kim R. Wilson

Henry C. Wurts*

MUSICIANS REPS.

Andrew Keller*

Lissa Stolz*

ONSTAGE OGDEN REP.

Christina Myers

LIFETIME BOARD

Kem C. Gardner

Brian Greeff*

Jon Huntsman, Jr.

G. Frank Joklik

Thomas M. Love*

David T. Mortensen

Scott S. Parker

David A. Petersen

Patricia A. Richards*

Harris Simmons

*Executive Committee Member

(left page) Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, final curtain

(this page)

1. Humperdinck’s Hansel and Grettel

2. David Robertson conducting The Desert Music

UTAH SYMPHONY | UTAH OPERA

Maurice Abravanel Hall

123 West South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101

THANK YOU

Thank you to the generous individuals, businesses, foundations, and community partners who support Utah Symphony | Utah Opera through contributions each season. The successes highlighted in this report—including our extensive music education programs, community engagement initiatives, and continued artistic excellence—are made possible by your support.

MAJOR CORPORATE SUPPORTERS