SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Symphony | Utah Opera (USUO) proudly announces a transformative $15 million commitment from O.C. Tanner over a ten year period, an investment that underscores the company’s unwavering dedication to the arts and cultural vibrancy of Utah. This extraordinary gift is part of the newly established O.C. Tanner Key Signature Initiative, aimed at sustaining USUO’s artistic and executive leadership positions and ensuring world-class programming for generations to come.
O.C. Tanner’s commitment is divided into two impactful components, including outright support for key leadership positions within the organization, ensuring that USUO continues its legacy of artistic excellence and cultural impact, as well as a challenge to inspire other philanthropic leaders in Utah to join in building a brighter future for USUO. The commitment includes ongoing annual funding of $500,000, with an additional $10 Million to be made over a period of years, is part of a larger fundraising initiative designed to address critical undercapitalization and, with additional support, provide the necessary funding to support USUO’s service to the local Utah community and stature as one of only 17 full-time orchestras in the United States and one of the nation’s top regional opera companies.
“We are thrilled to be able to support USUO at this crucial time in its history,” said Stephen Tanner Irish, representing the O.C. Tanner family and reflecting on the enduring relationship between his grandfather, Obert C. Tanner, and Utah Symphony’s beloved conductor, Maurice Abravanel. “The Symphony and Opera represent the crown jewel of our community’s cultural vitality. We believe in their mission and encourage others to participate by attending performances and supporting the organization.”
The announcement of this historic gift coincides with the recent appointment of Markus Poschner as USUO’s new Music Director, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in Utah Symphony’s illustrious history. O.C. Tanner’s investment is a resounding vote of confidence in the vital role USUO plays within Utah’s cultural fabric, its prominence as the heartbeat of downtown Salt Lake City, and its impact as an ambassador for the state of Utah.
As part of the O.C. Tanner Key Signature Initiative, USUO is pleased to announce that the role of President & CEO, will be named The O.C. Tanner Chair. This initiative will also support the visionary projects of President & CEO Steve Brosvik, Music Director Markus Poschner, and Utah Opera Artistic Director Christopher McBeth, whose position is generously sponsored by the Emma Eccles Jones Foundation. Together, these leaders will collaborate to design and implement artistic programs that elevate USUO’s stature both locally and nationally.
This remarkable $15 million commitment exemplifies O.C. Tanner’s leadership in inspiring other philanthropic contributions. It calls upon Utah’s philanthropic community to join in strengthening USUO’s financial foundation and ensuring the sustainability of its artistic mission. With the combined support of O.C. Tanner and the broader community, USUO is poised to build on its legacy of artistic excellence and continue enriching lives through music.
About Utah Symphony | Utah OperaUtah Symphony | Utah Opera connects Utah communities through great live music and is the flagship arts organization of the Intermountain West. USUO’s 87 full-time symphony musicians and five opera Resident Artists perform for more than 400,000 citizens in Utah and the Intermountain region each year, presenting more than 175 symphonic and chamber music performances; week-long runs of four fully produced operas; and music education programs for students and adult learners. The organization’s statewide service includes tours featuring outdoor performances against the backdrop of Utah’s natural beauty as well as education offerings—most recently, the six-stop Music Elevated Tour in August 2023.
Founded in 1940 and one of just 17 year-round professional orchestras in the U.S., the Utah Symphony performs at downtown Salt Lake City’s Maurice Abravanel Hall, at its Deer Valley Music Festival in Park City, in Utah Opera productions, and at venues throughout the state of Utah. The symphony has embarked on seven international tours and performed at Carnegie Hall in 2016 in honor of its 75th anniversary season. The orchestra’s celebrated recording legacy includes more than 100 recordings; in April 2023, its latest album featuring Messiaen’s Des canyons aux étoiles—a work inspired by three scenic Utah locations—was released to great international acclaim. Thierry Fischer, who envisioned and conducted that recording and led the Utah Symphony as Music Director from 2014 to 2023, was named Music Director Emeritus beginning in the 2023-24 season. In 2024, Markus Poschner was named Music Director Designate.
Since 1978, Utah Opera has provided citizens with distinguished and entertaining productions at Salt Lake City’s historic Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre—showcasing emerging and established artists, celebrating traditional works, and championing new works and the American operatic tradition. Utah Opera is one of just six opera companies in the U.S. with full production capabilities, including in-house costume design, set building, and props studios; the company currently has costumes for 50 productions and 19 full sets in its inventory. Utah Opera’s Resident Artist program is nationally recognized for providing invaluable career-training opportunities for professional singers and collaborative pianists.
USUO leads in music education, with interactive and immersive education programs that engage and inspire tomorrow’s musicians and music-lovers. In the community, in classrooms, and in venues, these programs serve 130,000 students, teachers, and adult learners annually and reach every school district in Utah on a three-year rotation.
For more information about Utah Symphony | Utah Opera and its Deer Valley Music Festival, visit usuo.org, utahsymphony.org, utahopera.org, and deervalleymusicfestival.org.
Media Contacts:
Megs Vincent
Communications Manager
Utah Symphony | Utah Opera
Julia Lyon
Communications Manager
Utah Symphony | Utah Opera