Salt Lake Choral Artists continues to bloom

By Celia R. Baker

It’s difficult to say which choir in Salt Lake City is best —
they are numerous, and each has a unique personality and
mission.

It is easy to say which choral group is the most prolific.

Since its inception six years ago, the Salt Lake Choral Artists
(SLCA) community choir has spawned new choirs at a surprising rate.
The initial group quickly trebled to become a concert choir, a
chamber choir and a women’s choir.

Two more have blossomed in recent months: a small,
professional-quality choir called Salt Lake Vocal Artists and the
Young Choral Artists, for children 7 to 15.

In all, there are more than 300 singers under the SLCA umbrella,
and artistic director Brady Allred is planning for more growth.

Allred, who also is director of choral activities at the
University of Utah, organized the 16-voice Vocal Artists after
receiving a prestigious invitation to bring a top-notch choir to
Spain’s Tolosa International Choral Competition. Allred had
previous success at the competition with his University of Utah
Singers, but couldn’t take that group for the late October event
because it falls during the school semester.