Symphony and Opera Chorus Master
Susanne Sheston joined the Utah Opera staff in 2002 as Chorus Master, and was appointed Chorus Master of the Utah Symphony Chorus in May 2004, assuming directorship over both choruses. Sheston is also Chorus Master of The Santa Fe Opera, an appointment she assumes in addition to her directorships in Utah. As a choral conductor, Sheston has collaborated with Kenneth Montgomery, Robert Tweten, William Lacey, Andrew Litton, Grant Gershon, Gerald Steichen, Christopher Larkin, Keith Lockhart, Richard Buckley, Anton Coppola, Hal France, Klauspeter Seibel, Robert Larsen, Stanislaw Skrowacewski, and others. Sheston has conducted Utah Opera's touring productions of La Cenerentola and Don Pasquale, as well as the Utah Symphony's annual Messiah and concerts of opera excerpts including programs for children with autism and their families.
Prior to joining Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, Sheston was the chorus master at Des Moines Metro Opera and taught choral music at Simpson College in Iowa.
Utah Symphony Chorus History
Shortly after Maurice Abravanel began his famed association with the Utah Symphony, he set about finding a group of singers that could undertake the great choral masterworks with the orchestra. Abravanel turned to the University of Utah and Music Department Chairman President LeRoy J. Robertson, who agreed to let Abravanel use the University's choirs to combine forces and perform with the Symphony. Their first joint venture was Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, performed on March 13, 1948 in the Salt Lake Tabernacle, with choirs prepared by John Marlowe Nielson. Six decades and a wealth of the world's greatest choral music later, we embrace the future and our great associations with Symphony Music Director Thierry Fischer, Music Director Emeritus Keith Lockhart, and the orchestra.
Over the years, the name of the Chorus has changed from The University Chorale to The University Civic Chorale, The Utah Chorale, and finally the Utah Symphony Chorus. John Marlowe Nielson (1948-1962) was succeeded by Dr. Newell B. Weight (1962-1982) as Music Director of the Chorus, followed by Dr. Edgar J. Thompson (1982-2003), and Dr. Susanne Sheston (2004-present). The chorus has sung under the baton of Utah Symphony Music Directors Maurice Abravanel, Varujan Kojian, Joseph Silverstein, Keith Lockhart and Thierry Fischer, as well as numerous guest conductors including Robert Shaw, Margaret Hillis, Roger Wagner, Peter Eros, Bernard Labadie, Andrew Litton, Stanislas Skrowaczewski and many others.
The Utah Symphony Chorus is comprised of 120 volunteers from the community who meet once a week to prepare the choral masterworks and pops concerts performed by the Utah Symphony. The Chorus performs several concerts each season, including our annual audience-participation Messiah Sing-In, now in its 33rd year. Members are auditioned by Dr. Susanne Sheston, Director of the Utah Symphony Chorus. Chorus members represent a cross-section of the community and include business professionals, physicians, University students, homemakers, craftsmen and others. All chorus rehearsals and performances take place during evening hours. There is no time limit for years of service in the chorus, though members periodically re-audition for membership.
We're proud to continue to provide outstanding music to the communities of Utah and beyond, and as always, to be the voice of the Utah Symphony!
