The New American Philharmonic has been performing together since 1989 and is comprised of nonprofessional and professional musicians from along Utah’s Northern Wasatch Front. It was founded by siblings Doug Swenson, Bruce Swenson, and Catherine Palmer, whose vision was to bring together musicians from all walks of life to make beautiful music to share with the community.

Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind,
flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.
— Plato

Countless individuals who learned to play an instrument in their youth continue to cultivate their talents throughout their lives, even when they choose not to pursue music as a profession.
The community orchestra is the perfect outlet for the dentist who plays the French horn, the nurse who plays the violin, the teacher who plays the cello, or the homemaker who plays the flute. It is the perfect place to put away the challenges of the workday and come together to share a common love of symphonic music.

Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul;
it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us.
— Martin Luther

The New American Philharmonic’s performing season generally consists of three masterworks concerts—one each in the fall, winter, and spring—that focus on the classics from Beethoven to Barber, Schubert to Stravinsky, Mozart to Mussorgsky. But, true to founders’ vision for the orchestra, which originally included “ballet” in its name, we also continue to partner with the Clytie Adams School of Ballet in their annual Nutcracker and Summer Dance Recital performances, as well as with Imagine Ballet Theater in their annual Nutcracker production.

The truest expression of a people is in its dances and its music. Bodies never lie.
— Agnes de Mille

Our performances, however, are not limited to classical music and ballet! Each July we play a very well attended Pops Concert for the Lindquist Family Fireworks Show as part of the Pioneer Days celebration in Ogden. Here we perform works from Broadway and Hollywood, as well as patriotic tunes celebrating both our country and those who have served in the military. The grand finale of this concert includes the thunder of cannons in Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” followed by John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever,” which kicks off the spectacular fireworks show.

The mission of the New American Philharmonic is to provide a “fun, challenging, and rewarding” experience for our musicians, and we are proud to say that we have accomplished this in the many years since our inception! If you are interested in learning more about us, or in seeing what openings are available, please visit our Contact page.

If music be the food of love, play on!
— William Shakespeare