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Utah Senate honors Utah Symphony and Utah Opera for statewide education outreach
Summary
The Senate recognized Utah Symphony and Utah Opera with an official citation noting education and outreach that serve more than 70,000 students annually; Maestro Terry Fisher and leaders thanked legislators and highlighted a $3,000,000 annual education budget the organization sustains with legislative support.
The Utah State Senate paused its regular floor business on Feb. 17 to present an official citation honoring Utah Symphony and Utah Opera for their arts education and statewide programming. Senate leadership invited Maestro Terry Fisher (music director), Christopher Macbeth (Utah Opera artistic director), Pat Richards (board chair), and Malia Turanjo (president and CEO) to address the chamber and accept recognition.
The citation noted that the combined organization has long‑term history in Utah, provides outreach and education to K–12 schools statewide, and performs in multiple communities including Ogden, Park City, Cedar City and St. George. Maestro Fisher told the Senate the organization spends about $3,000,000 annually on its education department and that roughly one‑third of that sum comes from public support; the programming reaches more than 70,000 students each season.
Leadership emphasized statewide access, citing regular touring performances and partnerships that bring symphony and opera presentations into school districts on a three‑to‑five year rotation. Gallery attendees and members of the organization provided a short musical excerpt following remarks; legislators encouraged members of the public to visit a noon‑to‑2 p.m. rotunda performance later that day.
The Senate commended the organizations for their contributions to arts education, workforce development in the arts, and quality‑of‑life programming and encouraged continued community attendance and support. The citation will be forwarded in the legislative record and the groups will continue education programming under local fundraising and nonprofit operations.
