13 Community Orchestras and Bands in Utah County
Community bands and orchestras bring a lot of value to an area. They give players a chance to bond over a shared love of music and perform outside of work or school. They also vastly enrich the culture of the surrounding community.
Whether you’re itching to join a group yourself or just want to listen to some live music, there are several community orchestras and concert bands worth checking out around Utah County. These include programs for both adults and youth.
Community Orchestras
These programs are available for any adult to participate in. They include audition and non-audition ensembles and are spread out throughout Utah County.
1. American Fork Symphony
This orchestra features about 90 musicians from all over Utah County. Every year, they perform throughout American Fork and other surrounding cities. They also offer solo opportunities for youth and adult musicians.
City: American Fork
Website: www.americanforkarts.com/symphony
2. Eagle Mountain Symphony
The Eagle Mountain Symphony performs several concerts during the year, enriching the fast-growing community's arts culture. Selections come from classic works and popular tunes from movies and stage musicals.
City: Eagle Mountain
Website: www.eaglemountainsymphony.org
3. Nebo Philharmonic
Based in southern Utah County, this is a wonderful volunteer orchestra consisting of members that are age 16 and older. They have a solid performance presence in Spanish Fork, Salem, and other cities in the area.
City: Salem
Website: www.nebophil.org
4. Pleasant Grove Orchestra
This orchestra is an official extension of Pleasant Grove’s city arts program. They perform several concerts in and around Pleasant Grove, including the community’s Concerts in the Park series.
City: Pleasant Grove
Website: www.plgrove.org/arts
5. Saratoga Springs Community Orchestra
This growing orchestra provides performance opportunities for those on the west side of Utah County. As a service provided by the Saratoga Springs Arts Council, they offer festive concerts to all.
City: Saratoga Springs
6. Timpanogos Symphony Orchestra
The TSO is an audition-only group that performs a wide selection of repertoire. They often share the stage with local celebrities like Jenny Oaks Baker, Richard Elliot, and Nathan Osmond. They also reach out to youth musicians through their Aspiring Musician’s Competition.
City: Highland
Website: www.thetso.org
7. Utah Valley Symphony
One of the oldest orchestras in Utah County, the Utah Valley Symphony has had a rich history in the area. They gave most of their performances in the old Provo Tabernacle for many years until it burned down in 2010. Today, they perform in dozens of venues throughout Utah Valley.
City: Provo
Website: www.utahvalleysymphony.org
Community Bands
Community bands have a rich history in the United States. These groups offer opportunities for adult musicians who play brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments.
8. Lehi Area Symphonic Band
This community band is open to all wind and percussion players in and around Utah Valley. They have several performances each year, including local parades while riding a vintage bandwagon.
City: Lehi
Website: www.lehiarts.org/symphonic-band
9. Wasatch Winds
Wasatch Winds is the most well-established community band in the area. Led by a group of educators fueled by their love of the craft, they have a long-running concert series they perform throughout the year.
City: American Fork
Website: www.wasatchwinds.org
10. Wasatch Show Band
An extension of the Wasatch Winds, the Wasatch Show Band is a community big band that specializes in jazz, Motown, and pop music from the past and present. With a big and brassy presence, the Show Band is sure to bring down the house at any event.
City: American Fork
Website: www.wasatchshowband.com
Youth Orchestras
These are outstanding programs available for young musicians looking for opportunities outside their school music programs.
11. Lyceum Philharmonic
One of the premier youth orchestras in the country, Lyceum has performed on some of the most prestigious stages in the world. They’ve released several chart-topping albums focusing on religion, patriotism, and classical repertoire.
City: American Fork
Website: www.lyceumphilharmonic.com
12. Utah Valley Youth Symphony
UVYSO is one of the longest-running youth orchestras in the state of Utah. Led by a passionate group of music educators, they regularly perform and tour throughout the country. The program includes multiple orchestras and concerto opportunities for young soloists.
City: Provo
Website: www.uvyso.org
13. Vivace Youth Symphony
Vivace originally started out as a summer music camp. Since then, it's grown into a full-fledged youth program with two orchestras that perform several times a year. The summer camps are also still available.
City: American Fork
Looking to Join an Orchestra?
Each orchestra and band on this list offers fantastic opportunities for new, veteran, and returning players. If you're interested in joining a group yourself, each orchestra's website provides information about auditions and rehearsals.
Summerhays has proudly supplied instruments and accessories to many players from these ensembles. Contact us if you need any help with your instrument of choice.