On July 8, 2002, the governing boards of Utah Symphony and Utah Opera made a precedent-setting decision to consolidate both organizations, thus becoming one entity, Utah Symphony & Opera (US&O), now directed by a single 40-member board. For decades, both Utah Symphony and Utah Opera have shaped the artistic landscape of Utah, and have served Utah and the Intermountain West with performances and education programs of exceptional scope and quality. With a combined artistic vision, led by President & CEO Anne Ewers and Symphony Music Director Keith Lockhart, US&O seeks to use the unique intertwining of our art forms to bring even higher artistic standards to our community, with a new example of management in the performing arts, and to become an industry leader as we step boldly into the future.

The mission of Utah Symphony & Opera is to produce the art forms of opera and symphony at the highest artistic level, reflective of their individual uniqueness; to explore new ways of enhancing each art form with elements of the other; to utilize the uniqueness of our combination in promoting broad public knowledge and appreciation of music; and to provide a firm fiscal foundation in order to sustain and expand our artistry.

Utah Symphony & Opera performs year round: 36 Masterworks concerts; 16 Pops performances; 8 Family and Lollipops Series concerts; four Chamber concerts; 4 performances at the Sundance Summer Series; a solid four weeks of performances at the Deer Valley Music Festival which runs 6 days a week featuring Pops, Classical, Chamber, Opera and private home Salon Events; additional concerts in venues such as public parks; and four Mainstage Operas, each with five performances, accompanied by the Utah Symphony.

US&O generates $350,000 annually through its national set and costume rental and construction enterprise. The organization employs: 85 musicians; 60 staff; two-tier program of Opera Ensemble Artists (five Apprentices, six Studio level); 80-member Utah Opera Chorus and 120-member Utah Symphony Chorus; is enhanced by the work of 400 volunteers in guilds, as docents and young musicians. US&O is the largest purveyor of classical arts education and outreach in the state of Utah.

During the 2004-05 season, US&O will embark on the first European Tour for the Utah Symphony in 19 years and will release its first CD in 15 years.

Description of Audiences Served and Demographics
Utah Symphony & Opera reaches 450,000 citizens in Utah and the Intermountain region states of Idaho, Wyoming, Montana and Nevada. US&O's Education Outreach programs reach 160,000 K-12 students annually. Every student in Utah is reached on a three to five-year rotation. In Salt Lake City, Utah Symphony performances are in the 2,800-seat Abravanel Hall, Utah Opera performances are staged in the 1,900-seat Capitol Theatre. Utah Symphony & Opera audience predominant demographics: White/Hispanic/Asian, married, college graduates, female, ages 18-34 opera/35-49 symphony, income +$60,000.

Utah Symphony & Opera annually performs concerts in 15 rural, underserved, geographically remote areas statewide; Intermountain West tour in three to four different communities of fully staged, intimately scaled opera; special performances reaching underserved populations of children with autism; at-risk teens; women's shelters for abused and single parents; individuals with visual and hearing impairment. The company boasts a fully accredited Internship Program for high school students in the areas of costume and set design, stage management, performance, and arts administration.