Among the Largest Independent Touring Choirs in America

Organized in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1949, the Salt Lake Symphonic Choir was led to international acclaim by Armont Willardsen, the founder and original motivating force behind the Choir. Mr. Willardsen served as the Director for the first 27 years. For the next 31 years the Choir was directed by George A. Welch. The Current Director is Dr. Michael D. Huff.



The Salt Lake Symphonic Choir is unique in that it is completely independent and funded solely by concert performances and foundation grants. In its nearly 60 years of performing, the Choir has toured in excess of 200,000 miles and presented more than 900 concerts throughout the United States, Canada, Russia and Armenia, performing for civic music series, cultural organizations, colleges, universities and community groups. Typically singing with appriximately 100 members, the Salt Lake Symphonic Choir is one of the largest traveling choirs in America performing on the professional concert circuit, Its members are committed to the performing arts and choral singing is their primary avocation.

• Performed 33 national and international concert tours.
• Performed Beethoven's 9th Symphony with the Victoria Symphony in British Columbia.
• Featured in a Human Rights Day Concert in San Francisco with the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra.
• Performed at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Utah Centennial Celebration in 1996.
• Sang at the lighting of the National Christmas Tree in Washington D.C. in 1996.
• Invited to represent the United States in Yerevan, Armenia for the 1700th Anniversary Celebration of Christianity in September 2001.
• Participated in the Cultural Olympiad as part of the 2002 Winter Olympics.
• Toured and performed in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia and the Cities of Yerevan, Garni and Gyumri, Armenia.
• Performed as part of the rededication of the Utah State Capitol Building in January of 2008.

We currently practice on Wednesday evenings TBA (in Salt Lake City). Contact any Board Member about auditioning for the Choir.

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Michael D. Huff, D.M.A. - Music Director

Dr. Michael Huff is enjoying his second season as Music Director of the Salt Lake Symphonic Choir, having succeeded long-time Conductor, George Welch, and Founding Director, Armont Willardsen. He also serves on the faculty at the University of Utah’s School of Music, and as Artistic Director of The Festival of Gold Series, operating music festivals in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C.

He spent over a decade as Associate Conductor and Principal Accompanist for the Utah Symphony Chorus, as Music Director of the South Davis Civic Chorale and Orchestra, and is now in steady demand as a conductor, pianist, clinician, adjudicator, and teacher.

Equally at home with instrumental music, Michael has led orchestras, bands, jazz bands, rock bands, and country bands. He has been the producer and director of the annually televised Liberty Bowl Halftime Finale in Memphis, Tennessee since 1989, where he has worked with major recording stars, B.B. King, Clint Black, Alabama, LeAnn Rimes, and many others.

Born in Paris, France to an American military family, Michael started playing the piano by ear at age 3, his musical curiosity has led him to music-making of all kinds. He has music degrees from the University of Utah, and Arizona State University. His professional life has taken him nearly around the world, and to stages in many of the world’s great musical capitals.

Michael and his wife, Susan, reside in Bountiful, Utah, and have six really wonderful children.

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Erin Pike, M.M. - Assistant Conductor

Erin joined the Salt Lake Symphonic Choir as Assistant Contductor during the 2007-2008 season. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Choral Music Education and a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Utah.

She is the Director of Choirs at Cottonwood High School in Salt Lake City and has taught there since 1999. She serves as the Region III Vocal Music Chairperson. Erin is the current accompanist for the Utah High School All State Choir, having been conducted by Dr. Z. Randall Stroope and Dr. Ann Howard Jones. She has served as an assistant conductor, accompanist, and vocal soloist for the Salt Lake Choral Artists under the direction of Dr. Brady Allred.

She has sung with both the Choral Artists and the Chamber Choir, under Dr. Allred’s direction. Erin sang with the Utah Chamber Artists under the direction of Dr. Barlow Bradford.

She served as the Chancel Choir director for the First Congregational Church for five years, and holds additional music assignments within the LDS church. She has served as an accompanist for the University of Utah Singers (conductor, Dr. Brady Allred) and the University of Utah Concert Chorale (conductor, John M. Cooksey). She served as a student conductor for Dr. Edgar Thompson in the A’Cappella Choir in 1999 and on their European tour.

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Natalie Campbell - Accompanist

Natalie studied music at the University of Utah where she earned Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in piano performance. She was a four-year recipient of the music department’s Gerald R. Tracy scholarship. Natalie’s teachers included Dr. Susan Duehlmeier and Gladys Gladstone Rosenberg.

While at the University Natalie accompanied the Concert Chorale and taught on the Piano Preparatory Division Faculty teaching private piano lessons and Kindermusik classes. In 1991 Natalie was the winner of the University of Utah Piano Division Concerto Competition, and in 1992 Natalie won first place in the Senior Division of the Utah State Fair Music Competition.

Currently, Natalie maintains a private teaching studio in her home. She and her husband Todd are the parents of five children.

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Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts and Parks

Part of our funding comes from a grant from the Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts and Parks program.

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Utah Arts Council

We are also funded by a grant from the Utah Arts Council.

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Board Members

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Auditions...

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