To kick off the state’s annual celebration of the Days of ‘47, the Choral Arts Society of Utah, Salt Lake Symphony and popular recording artists AFTERGLOW will perform in concert on July 8 and 9 at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City. Both concerts, which are free to the public, will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Conducting are Centerville resident and long-time KUTV 2 News personality Sterling Poulson, along with Dr. Robert Baldwin. The choral arts singers and symphony, along with Afterglow, will be performing “Pioneer Spirit – Live It!” a combination of inspirational, patriotic and Broadway music.

The Choral Arts Society of Utah has a 41-year history of choral performances. The choir performs five-six times each season, including the Armed Forces Day Concert in May, a Fall Concert and Spring Concert. In 1997, the choir began its two signature concerts, including the Days of ’47 Pops Concert collaborating with many Utah artists. The KUTV Holiday Pops Concert benefits the Salvation Army Angel Tree and helps bring Christmas to less fortunate children and seniors in Utah. 

Founded in 1976, the Salt Lake Symphony is one of the area’s most highly respected volunteer driven orchestras. The Salt Lake Symphony is a non-profit organization dedicated to performing quality classical music concerts for the Wasatch Front community. The Symphony performs around 15 concerts per year.

Joel McCausland and Kevin Peay are better known to thousands of loyal fans around the world as the musical duo AFTERGLOW. Joel and Kevin began their musical career together over 40 years ago in Pleasant Grove. In 1984 Deseret Book signed AFTERGLOW to a recording contract. They have since recorded 17 albums for Deseret Book, five of which were recorded in England with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Joel and Kevin have traveled extensively over the years performing and recording in the United States, Canada, England, Japan and Brazil. 

Tickets are free but are required for the event. Go to https://www.saltlakecountyarts.org/events/days-of-47-kutv-pops-concert for yours.

— Tom Haraldsen