West High 10th grader Shelby Gan performed last week at the Utah Symphony’s Salute to Youth concert. For decades, the Utah Symphony’s Salute to Youth program has been a beacon for young musicians, providing a prestigious platform for them to showcase their talent and work ethic. This annual event, which began in 1960, celebrates the future of classical music as the audience witnesses the exceptional abilities of the next generation of musicians.

Each year, vocalists and instrumentalists between the ages of 12 and 23 from across Utah audition for the chance to perform with the Utah Symphony. But, the path to performing at Salute to Youth is rigorous as it begins with an intensely competitive blind audition process. During auditions, each participant performs a concerto movement or a comparable solo piece. A panel of distinguished judges evaluates each performance based on technical proficiency, musicality, and overall presentation.