65 years ago

The Utah Valley Symphony was organized in 1959 as a non-profit organization.  Its purpose was to give the talented local musicians an opportunity to use their talents and to provide the community with symphony music.  It began as the Central Utah Community Orchestra and was then changed to the Utah Valley Symphony.  The first orchestra had 30 members, and the first concert had an audience of eleven people, most of them relatives of the performers.  In the following two years it grew to a full-sized orchestra using 75 to 80 members, depending upon the needs for a particular concert.  The audience has increased to the point where two performances are required for each concert.

Today

Mission Statement

Utah Valley Symphony aims to be the premier orchestra in Utah Valley, allowing the best musicians in our population to perform great music to the highest standard.  The symphony is committed to serving the community by

  1. educating audience members of all ages
  2. fostering young musicians
  3. engaging in mutually beneficial partnerships with Utah Valley arts organizations.

In order to pursue these aims Utah Valley Symphony will be self-sustaining.


The Utah Valley Symphony has several performances this season.  See our concert season.

In the fall the UVS has School Concerts for interested schools to provide students a chance to experience a live performance.  This was held in the Provo Tabernacle until it caught fire in December 2010. This year it will be held at the Covey Center for the Arts.

The Utah Valley Symphony has the full spectrum of ages; from college age to retiree age. The average age is approximately 45. These excellent musicians have varied backgrounds; music educators, private teachers, performance major graduates, and good musicians that love to play.

The UVS rehearses every Wednesday night from 7:30-9:30 at the Provo Seventh Day Adventist Church.  Auditions are held every September and December. There is no audition fee or tuition fee to participate in the UVS.

Conductors for the symphony have served in the following order:

  • James Mason and Jacob Bos
  • Dr. Harold Goodman
  • Dr. Lawrence Sardoni
  • Dr. Glenn Williams
  • Dr. Ralph G. Laycock
  • Dr. Clyn D. Barrus

In the spring of 1998, Bryce Rytting was engaged as the current conductor of the Utah Valley Symphony. In 2022, he was made a Conductor Emeritus, and has limited envolvement with the orchestra.

For the Fall of 2022, Blanka Bednarz joined the symphony as an Associate conductor.