Choral Arts Society of Utah

Choral Arts Society of Utah was organized in 1987 as a Utah Non-profit corporation for the purpose of furthering the Choral art in Utah and abroad, giving artistic support and performance opportunities to local choral groups. Sterling S. Poulson, founder of the Society became the conductor of the Master Chorale in January 1997.

The Society has a long history of choral performances including a performance with the Utah Symphony Chorus of Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass in New York City’s Carnegie Hall in June 1999 and under the baton of Jonathan Griffith, Mozart’s Requiem in January 2005. The Chorale performed the premiere performance of Michael McLean’s The Garden in the spring of 1996. Two of Utah’s Governors invited the choir to sing at their Gubernatorial Inauguration. In 1991, the choir sang at the 1998 Olympic Bid announcement in Salt Lake City and performed at several venues for the 2002 Winter Olympics. In 2004 the choir was invited to perform at the dedication of the Huntsman Cancer Institute. In June 2006, the choir toured through Austria for the 250th birthday celebration of Mozart, with performances of the Coronation Mass and other great choral works in Salzburg and Vienna.

In 1997, the choir began its signature concert, taking on the responsibilities of the Days of ’47 Pops Concert. Now in its 63rd year, this free admission event at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City, kicks off the Pioneer Day celebrations in Utah. December 1998 ushered in a new tradition with the Society, the KUTV 2News Salvation Army Angel Tree Concert, which helps bring Christmas to less fortunate children and families in Utah. In 1998, the concert was televised and won the Utah Broadcasters Association’s “Gold Award” for Best Entertainment Program of the Year. This year will be our 11th year performing with the West Valley Symphony, a great community orchestra that has great unity in spirit and performance under the baton of Music Director Donny Gilbert.

For several years, the singers gathered in the Historic Salt Lake Tabernacle, for the Days of ’47 Sunrise Service, hosting several choral groups including: The Sierra Nevada Master Chorale, Davis Master Chorale, Morgan Community Choir, Box Elder Symphonic Choir, Legacy Chorale, Bear River Choral Society, the Mountain West Chorale, Payson Civic Chorale and the Wasatch Chorale. The choir also performed on the Temple Square Concert Series, the ZCMI Christmas Windows Celebration and two big band era concerts with the Phoenix Jazz and Swing Band. The Master Chorale traveled twice to Southern Utah for outdoor concerts in the O.C. Tanner Amphitheater at the entrance to Zion National Park and other performances with the Southern Utah Heritage Choir in St. George. The Choral Arts Society is a partner in business with the Granite School District and Taylorsville High School.