Utah Symphony Presents THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS with Full Orchestra

On October 24 and 25 at 7 PM, the Utah Symphony Films in Concert series will haunt Abravanel Hall with scary good performances of the IMFCA winning, delightfully quirky "Nightmare Before Christmas" score by Danny Elfman, performed live to picture. This special event includes one of the state's largest costume contests, with winners scoring access to a treasure trove of passes and tickets to local Salt Lake City museums and events. Led by Assistant Conductor Conner Gray Covington, tickets start at $29 and can be purchased at utahsymphony.org or by calling (801) 533-6683.

Follow the misadventures of beloved Jack Skellington (Chris Sarandon) the pumpkin king as he becomes bored with his usual routine, and stumbles upon bright-colored and warm-spirited Christmastown. Jack conspires to kidnap Santa Claus and steal his position, but quickly learns that no matter how well planned a ploy is, mishap is bound to happen.

GRAMMY and EMMY award-winning Daniel Elfman has established himself over the past 20 years as one of Hollywood's leading film composers. Mr. Elfman, recognized for his haunting composition style, has written nearly 50 film scores for blockbusters like "Batman," "Spider-man," "Edward Scissorhands," and "Men in Black," as well as the celebrated theme to the beloved television show "The Simpsons."

Conner Gray Covington was recently appointed as the Assistant Conductor of the Utah Symphony, a position he began with the start of the 2017-2018 season. In June of 2017, he completed his tenure as the Rita E. Hauser Conducting Fellow at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia where he worked closely with the Curtis Symphony Orchestra and the Curtis Opera Theater, while also being mentored by Philadelphia Orchestra Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin. He recently made his Carnegie Hall debut with the Curtis Symphony Orchestra sharing the podium with Ludovic Morlot. Mr. Covington began his career as Assistant Conductor of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Music Director of the Memphis Youth Symphony Program. A two-time recipient (2014, 2017) of a Career Assistance Award from the Solti Foundation U.S., he recently worked with the Nashville Symphony as a featured conductor in the 2016 Bruno Walter National Conductor Preview presented by the League of American Orchestras.

"This film series shows our commitment to creating exciting programming that inspires a whole new generation of symphony goers," said Utah Symphony | Utah Opera President and CEO Paul Meecham. The series kicked off with attention-grabbing "Raiders of the Lost Ark." Upcoming performances include "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™" on December 21, 22, and 23, and Western film classic "High Noon" on February 17, 2018.

RELATED EVENTS

Media sponsor KSL NewsRadio and community sponsor Salt Lake Comic Con present the 27th annual Utah Symphony's costume contest! This year is different than any other, and has evolved to include our online audiences who decide upon the winners from a pool of finalists. Costumed ticket holders to both performances of "Nightmare Before Christmas" may enter the annual contest in the lobby of Abravanel Hall starting at 5:30 pm. Costume contest will end promptly at 6:45 pm - no exceptions.

This year, finalists' photos will be uploaded to Facebook and winners will be voted upon by our loyal online fans in the categories adult, child and group. Prizes include passes to Salt Lake Comic Con, Natural History Museum of Utah, Ballet West, Clark Planetarium, Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, Centerpoint Legacy Theater, The Leonardo and Living Planet Aquarium.

**Please be courteous to your fellow concert goers: costumes that includes extra height or large pieces need to be set aside before the concert begins in order to not impede sight lines or other attendees' experiences.

PROGRAM

The Utah Symphony presents Disney in Concert: Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" October 24 and 25, 2017 | 7 p.m. | Maurice Abravanel Hall

Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts © All Rights Reserved

Conner Gray Covington, Conductor Utah Symphony

Tickets are priced from $29-$77 and can be purchased at utahsymphony.org or by calling (801) 533-6683. Tickets increase $5 on the day of the performance.

About the Utah Symphony Founded in 1940, the Utah Symphony performs more than 175 concerts each season and offers all Utahns easy access to world class live musical performances of the world's greatest music in the state's top venues. Since being named the orchestra's seventh music director in 2009, Thierry Fischer has attracted leading musicians and top soloists, refreshed programming, drawn increased audiences, and galvanized community support. In addition to numerous regional and domestic tours, including the Mighty 5® Tour of Utah's National Parks, the Utah Symphony has embarked on seven international tours and performed at Carnegie Hall in Spring 2016 coinciding with the orchestra's 75th anniversary celebrations. The Utah Symphony has released more than 100 recordings, including the new release of Mahler Symphony No. 1 last fall. Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, the orchestra's parent organization, reaches 450,000 residents in Utah and the Intermountain region, with educational outreach programs serving around 137,000 students annually. In addition to performances in its home in Salt Lake City, Abravanel Hall, and concerts throughout the state of Utah, the Utah Symphony participates in Utah Opera's four annual productions at the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre and presents the six-week Deer Valley® Music Festival each summer in Park City, Utah. With its many subscription, education, and outreach concerts and tours, the Utah Symphony is one of the most engaged orchestras in the nation. For more information, visit utahsymphony.org.

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