Southwest Symphony Holiday Concert
Friday, December 11, 2026 – December 12, 2026 · All day
America First Performing Arts Center, Utah Tech University
A Southern Utah Orchestra Since 1980
The Southwest Symphony is St. George's community orchestra, founded in 1980 by Dr. Norman H. Fawson, Irene Everett and Dr. Ronald Garner. It began as a 28-piece volunteer ensemble rehearsing weekly in the basement of the St. George city offices, and gave its first concert at the St. George Tabernacle that spring. It has since grown to more than 70 players, a mix of seasoned professionals and dedicated community members from across the region, who rehearse one evening a week through the season.
Lucas Darger has been music director and conductor since 2016, following Gary Caldwell, a charter member and longtime principal trumpet who led the orchestra from 1990.
A Holiday Concert With Deep Roots
December music has been part of the symphony from the start. In its Tabernacle years the orchestra played five concerts a season, including an annual performance of Handel's Messiah with the Dixie College choruses and the Community Chorus, a tradition the orchestra describes as beloved from the beginning.
The program changes every season, so check the concert page for what is on the stand before you buy. The program changes from season to season, and each year's title and soloists are announced with the symphony's season schedule. What stays the same is the shape of the event: a full orchestra on a proper concert stage, and two evening performances on a December Friday and Saturday, so there is a second chance if one night is booked.
The Venue: Utah Tech's Renovated Hall
The concert is held at the America First Performing Arts Center on the Utah Tech University campus. This is the orchestra's longtime home, the former Cox Performing Arts Center, which the symphony moved into when it was completed in 1989. The acoustic shell on that stage was designed by Dr. Fawson himself. The symphony was a driving force behind the foundation that funded the building's renovation, and the hall reopened under its new name in 2026.
Seating runs across an orchestra level and a balcony, with elevators to the balcony and the lower orchestra seats.
Getting There and Parking
From there it is a short walk into historic downtown St. George. Parking is free in the university lots surrounding the building, most within a short walk. Accessible spaces are on the west side of the building with a ramp to the main entrance, and more are in the north lot with a ramp on the east side.
The symphony recommends arriving at least half an hour early to park, collect tickets and find your seat without rushing.
Who It Suits
This is the most traditional of St. George's December concerts: a seated evening of orchestral music rather than a light display or a street festival. It suits families with children old enough to sit through a full concert, couples looking for a dressier night out, and anyone who wants live classical music as part of the season. There is no formal dress code; most people land somewhere between casual and semi-formal.
If you are building a December calendar around it, Christmas events in St. George lays out the rest of the season, and the St. George arts scene covers the orchestra's year-round company.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I buy tickets, and what affects the cost?
Tickets are sold through Utah Tech's online ticketing portal, linked from the symphony's Tickets page. Price depends on the seating section, from premium center-orchestra seats back to the outer rear of the orchestra and balcony. Students and seniors get a discount with a code at checkout, and groups buying four or more seats for the same performance get one applied automatically.
How long does the holiday concert last?
The symphony says its concerts typically run between 80 and 120 minutes, including an intermission. The exact runtime is posted on each concert's page.
What happens if I arrive late?
Ushers hold latecomers at the doors until a suitable break in the music, then help them to their seats. Doors open 45 minutes before the performance, so arriving early avoids the wait.
Can I bring a bag into the hall?
Utah Tech runs a clear bag policy in the theater: only small bags are allowed unless they are clear. Check the university's clear bag protocol before you leave home.
Can local musicians join the orchestra?
Yes. The symphony holds auditions for new members each August, plus extra auditions when a specific instrument has an opening. It accepts musicians 18 and older, including high school seniors, at all experience levels; players can also audition for the substitute list.
Is there anything before the concert starts?
Some Southwest Symphony concerts include a pre-show by local high school choirs and orchestras. Whether a given performance has one is noted in the concert email sent to ticket holders.
Address
325 S 700 ESt. George, UT 84770