Moonlight & Mayhem
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Alyce Gardner

Message from the Board.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire symphony family, it is my pleasure to welcome you to a new season filled with the magic of live music and the joy of shared experiences. We are thrilled to present an extraordinary lineup of performances that promises to captivate your hearts and minds. Each concert offers a unique opportunity to engage with the art of symphonic music, showcasing both timeless classics and innovative compositions. We eagerly anticipate moving into our new Symphony home at the renovated Cox auditorium next summer and hope you will continue to join us as we celebrate this monumental achievement. Thank you for your unwavering support and generosity which makes the music possible. We can’t wait to make beautiful memories together this season!

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Lucas Darger

Message from the Maestro

Every time I stand before these remarkable musicians, I am overwhelmed with gratitude—not just for the opportunity to do what I love, but for the privilege of doing it alongside such a dedicated and talented group of people. Music, as many of you know, has the unique power to move us, to connect us in ways that transcend words, and it’s this connection that makes each performance special.

What makes an orchestra so powerful is that it’s never the work of one individual. It takes all of us—musicians, staff, board members, donors, and you, our patrons—coming together with a shared love of music and a belief in its transformative impact. Through this collective effort, we create something that’s much bigger than any one of us, something that resonates deeply with everyone who experiences it. I truly believe that the music we share has a profound effect on all involved, and for that, I am deeply thankful.

As we look toward to the future, there is much to be excited about. We are hopeful that the renovation of our home will move swiftly, and in the meantime, we are immensely grateful to Desert Hills for hosting us and to all of you for your continued support during this transition.

This season promises to be one of our best yet, filled with performances that will inspire and uplift. I hope tonight’s music touches you in a meaningful way, and that you’ll continue to be part of this journey with us. Together, we’re creating moments that stay with us long after the last note fades—and I can’t wait to see what we’ll accomplish together.

Concert Sponsors

Ashton & Associates
Ashton & Associates
Ashton & Associates
Guest Artist: Lisa Hopkins Seegmiller

Lisa Hopkins Seegmiller

Lisa Hopkins Seegmiller is America’s only TONY Award-winning, GRAMMY Award-nominated, Ivy League-educated singer, actress, and vocal technician. Trained at Yale University (B.A. Theatre Studies/Acting) and Manhattan School of Music (M.M. Classical Voice), Lisa made history on Broadway as Mimì in Hollywood film director Baz Luhrmann's La Bohème, launching a unique career that spans opera, musical theatre, pop, and classical crossover, including The Narrator in Joseph, Grizabella in CATS, and Christine in Phantom of the Opera.

Trained by legendary voice teachers, Marlena Malas (Juilliard) and Patricia McCaffrey (Curtis), Lisa captivates audiences with exceptional technique, emotional intensity, and remarkable linguistic versatility, performing the virtuosic & multi-lingual repertoire of the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th-century eras. Her sweet spot with audiences is classical crossover, where she reinvents iconic hits like “Time to Say Goodbye,” “The Prayer,” “Nessun Dorma,” “Pie Jesu,” and “Il Mio Cuore Va (My Heart Will Go On).”

Lisa has appeared on ABC with Katie Couric, NBC at Radio City Music Hall, and in top fashion magazines, including Vogue, Vanity Fair, Elle, and British Elle. She has also been celebrated by world-renowned photographers and artists, including Douglas Kirkland (photographer of Marilyn Monroe), Herb Ritts (Vogue), Annie Leibovitz (Vanity Fair), and legendary sketch artist, Al Hirschfeld.

Now mentoring the next generation of world-class vocal athletes in her Southern Utah vocal studio, Lisa resides on a ranch in Dixie National Forest with her husband and their four children. For bookings, lessons, or masterclasses, visit www.lisaseegmillerstudios.com or www.lisahopkinsseegmiller.com.

Guest Artist: Aubrey Adams

Aubrey Adams-McMillan

Aubrey Adams-McMillan is a versatile mezzo-soprano with an expansive career spanning opera, concert, and chamber music. She has performed a diverse range of operatic roles, from the dramatic intensity of Madame de Croissy in Dialogues des Carmélites to the comedic charm of Bertha in Il barbiere di Siviglia. Her repertoire includes iconic roles such as Gertrude in Hansel and Gretel, Albine in Thaïs, Madame Armfeldt in A Little Night Music, and Dorabella in Così fan tutte, with performances at Utah Opera, Central City Opera, and the Spoleto Festival USA.

Equally accomplished in concert repertoire, Aubrey has been a featured soloist in masterworks such as Verdi’s Requiem, Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, Dvořák’s Stabat Mater, Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, and Mozart’s Great Mass in C Minor. She has collaborated with ensembles including the American Festival Chorus, Salt Lake Choral Artists, Southwest Symphony and the Cathedral of the Madeleine concert series. Her international performances include Duruflé’s Requiem for the 80th commemoration of D-Day in Paris under maestro Craig Jessop. She is also dedicated to contemporary music, premiering works such as Together and Lover by Jared Oaks.

Aubrey’s extensive training includes programs with Central City Opera and the Spoleto Festival USA, and she has been recognized as a National Finalist in the National Opera Association competition, along with receiving honors from the Metropolitan Opera District Auditions.

From grand opera stages to intimate chamber music settings, Aubrey’s artistry shines in both traditional and modern repertoire, captivating audiences with her expressive performances and technical mastery.

Guest Artist: Thomas Glenn

Thomas Glenn

Grammy Award winning tenor, Thomas Glenn is a versatile, dynamic, and exciting tenor in many of the prominent opera houses of the world including, San Francisco Opera, The Metropolitan Opera, The Lyric Opera of Chicago, Netherlands Opera and The English National Opera among others.

His expertise is demanded in baroque and bel canto works such as the Evangelist roles in Bach's Passions (St. Matthew and St. John, performed from memory) in multiple productions by Atlanta Symphony, and Ferrando in Mozart’s Così fan tutte with English National Opera. He is also well-known for premiering new works by composers such as John Adams (Doctor Atomic), Damien Geter (American Apollo), and Tarik O'Regan (Heart of Darkness).

Most recently, as soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra at Avery Fisher Hall in New York, and during their tour to Beijing, China, under the baton of Marin Alsop, Thomas debuted Roydon Tse's Yellow Crane Tower, which prompted the review, "Tenor, Thomas Glenn was heroic in his narration of the tale."

Also recently, at the premiere of American Apollo by Damien Geter at Des Moines Metro Opera, the review stated, "Mr. Glenn showed off a gleaming, secure lyric tenor of considerable sheen and beauty. His dramatic commitment and vocal excellence were commendable."

In 2025, Thomas performed the high flying, Signor Adolpho Pirelli in Sweeney Todd at Utah Opera, which was reviewed as "zany" and "expertly sung". This year also brought two productions of Le nozze di figaro as Don Basilio/Don Curzio, at Utah Opera and at Palm Beach Opera, prompting the review, "Thomas Glenn was brilliant ... He demonstrated agility on stage... along with a smooth and even tenor voice."

As a soloist in concert repertoire, Thomas has considerable experience in works as varied as Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis, Stravinsky’s Svadebka, Britten’s War Requiem and many others, with orchestras such as Seattle Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, China National Symphony, Macau Symphony, and including a recent performance in Oedipus Rex with the Philharmonia Orchestra of London, Essa-Pekka Salonen conducting.

Thomas is a graduate of the Adler Fellowship at San Francisco Opera, where he sang for nine consecutive seasons. He is also the head of the voice program at Utah State University where he teaches voice and composition.

Guest Artist: Seth Keeton

Seth Keeton

Bass-baritone, Seth Keeton’s performances have been described by The New York Times as “driven” and “emotionally pointed,” and “stentorian” by Opera News. He has performed roles on the stages of opera companies throughout the United States, and Theater Bremen in Bremen, Germany. In 2006, he was a national finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.

In 2018, he was featured on a recording, Chamber Music, Volume 2, of forgotten composer, Richard Stöhr, and 2020 saw the release of Transparent Boundaries, an album of art song set to the poetry of Whitman and Dickinson. As a scholar, Keeton has created the online song index SongHelix, that simplifies the discovery of related art songs. This free resource can be found at www.songhelix.com.

Dr. Keeton received his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance from the University of Minnesota and is an Associate Professor of Voice at the University of Utah.

Meet our Musicians

Violin I

Rachel France – Concertmaster
Debbie Hafen – Assistant Concertmaster
Kaylie Benites
Kezia Goggia
Lucinda King
Cassidee Torres
Lacie Young

Violin II

Joie Whittaker – Principal
Lichelle Jones – Assistant Principal
Jim Laudie
Bryn Tafoya
Debbie Thornton
Tammy Tremea

Viola

Linda Ghidossi DeLuca – Principal
Robert Fawson
Kevin Lasnier
April Olsen

Cello

Ka-Wai Yu – Principal
Peter Romney – Assistant Principal
    Gordon Larsen Chair
Ethan Allen
MaryAnn Oram

Bass

Deni Jones – Principal
Amy Gardner

Piano

Ann Graf - Principal

Oboe

Rhonda Rhodes – Principal
Carolee Bowen

Bassoon

Ashley Rhoden - Principal

Trumpet

David Torres – Principal
Byron Ward

Timpani

Michael Pollard – Principal

Guest Artist: Lieto Voices
Dr. Nancy Allred Wright, Choirmaster

Guest Artist: Seth Keeton

Dr. Nancy Allred-Wright is Professor of Music and director of piano studies at Utah Tech University. She has developed Utah Tech’s outstanding piano program and mentors a wonderful studio of piano majors. She strives to instill a deep love for learning, music, and continuous improvement in her students. An accomplished soloist and chamber musician, Dr. Allred-Wright is a distinguished collaborator of vocal, choral, and instrumental music. She holds advanced degrees from Brigham Young University and the University of Missouri-Kansas City, studying piano with Paul Pollei, Robert Smith, and renowned professor Joanne Baker. Dr. Allred-Wright has a deep love for choral music and is the Artistic Director for Lieto Voices. She was honored by the Music Teachers National Association as a Foundation Fellow during the 2022 MTNA National Conference. She has taught hundreds of piano students throughout her career and is frequently asked to give workshops and presentations at music educator conferences, sharing her knowledge and expertise with her fellow music educators.

Guest Artist: Lieto Voices
Dr. Nancy Allred Wright, Choirmaster

Soprano

Nancy Allred-Wright
Jane Anderson
Kris Barber
Elizabeth Brown
Cynthia Browning
Bonnie Caldwell
Milena Capriles
Christine Fackrell
Renee Garner
Amber Jones
Gaylene Knoke
Tameran McClure
Grena Searle
Kathy Soucie
Shauna Spencer
Robyn Whipple
Juli Wiest
Lois Wilmsen

Alto

Norma Aston
Beverly Brimley
Kendra Campbell
Kathy Carlson
Cyndi Cheney
Andrea Clark
Lisa Dunkley
Nicki Excell
Celia Gonzales
Michelle Hall
Jean Jones
Kristal Joy
Beth Lingwall
Melissa Ridenour
Allyson Schmitt
Patti Tippetts
Celeste Tolman
Krista White

Bass

Scott Aston
John Bell
Jim Brey
Chris Busk
Caleb Crandall
Brad Flagmeier
Layne Garner
Wes Horrocks
Nils Lingwall
Russ Talbot

Tenor

Kent Brown
Stuart Campbell
Carl Cutler
Trevor Gorton
Stuart McArthur
Eugene Rasband
Wesley Schmitt
Kinny Stubbs
Greg Walker
Molly Worthington

Pre-Show Artists
Friday: Vista Advanced Orchestra, Director: Linda Ghidossi-DeLuca

Saturday: Zion Youth Symphony Orchestra, Director: Ed Candland

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Mission

We inspire and enrich audiences through the transformative power of symphonic music. As the cultural heart of the community, we share the beauty of music through educational and entertaining performances.

Vision

Our vision is to become the Southwest region's premier orchestra.

Values

•  We value our legacy and dedicate our efforts to maintaining our position as the cultural heart of our community.
• We serve our community and respect our commitment to perform quality symphonic music.
• We value transparency, honesty, integrity, and ethical stewardship.
• We are strategically minded. We are action-oriented and plan for our future sustainability.
• We value creative collaboration and cooperation with arts, education, and civic and business partners in the community.
• We value diversity and innovation as we strive for cultural inclusion and excellence.
• We are dedicated to life-long learning and impacting student-centered achievement and growth.

Upcoming Performances

Concert Etiquette

No Talking

Refrain from talking or whispering

No Candy Unwrapping

Refrain from unwrapping candy during a performance

No Talking

Silence and dim cell phones and smart watches

No Talking

Flash photography is not permitted

No Talking

Do not enter or exit while the orchestra is playing

No Talking

Please be in your seat by 7:20pm

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