Utah Symphony's 55th Annual Salute to Youth Set for Today

Associate Conductor Vladimir Kulenovic leads the Utah Symphony and seven special youth musical soloists in the 55th Annual Salute to Youth concert tonight, September 30 at 7 PM at Abravanel Hall.

Sponsored by the Deseret News, Salute to Youth is an annual tradition that dates back to the days of Maestro Maurice Abravanel. These seven soloists were chosen from 38 finalists.

This year's featured soloists are Shenae Anderson (violin), Sanne Jane Christensen (piano), Rebecca Epperson (viola), Karen Lela Ferry (violin), Maggie Ivory (violin), Michael Marsden (percussion), and Caroline Richards (harp). They will perform classical pieces with the Utah Symphony including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante, Frédéric François Chopin's Concerto for Piano No. 2, and Paul Creston's Concertino for Marimba. Shenae, Maggie and Michael have been Salute to Youth soloists in the past, and all soloists are part of the Utah Symphony Youth Guild, a program dedicated to giving students a greater involvement with the arts and supporting the Utah Symphony through volunteer service and education activities (membership is not required to participate in Salute to Youth).

Salute to Youth is one of two annual concerts in which the Utah Symphony celebrates young musicians with the orchestra. At the end of each season the All-Star Evening features a soloist (this year a pair of soloists playing a concerto for violin and piano) performing with the Utah Symphony, as well as students from area youth symphonies performing side by side with the Utah Symphony musicians.

Members of the Utah Symphony Youth Guild Committee will be in the lobby before the concert and at intermission to talk about the Youth Guild and enroll families. Membership is open to families with children ages 8 to 18. Although the Youth Guild encourages everyone to reap the many benefits of learning to play an instrument, membership is open to musicians and non-musicians alike.

Single tickets for the performance start at $18 and can be purchased by phone at (801) 355-2787, in person at the Abravanel Hall ticket office (123 W. South Temple) or online by visiting www.utahsymphony.org. Season subscribers can purchase discounted tickets by contacting (801) 533-6683. Those desiring group discounts should call (801) 869-9046. All ticket prices are subject to change and availability, and will increase $5 when purchased on the day of the performance.

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