Utah Tech University’s Concert Under the Stars: A Free Night of Orchestral Music in St. George

Every September, the red rock backdrop of southern Utah sets the stage for one of the region’s most anticipated music events. On Thursday, Sept. 25, at 7:30 p.m., Utah Tech University’s University Orchestra will present its 13th Annual Concert Under the Stars at St. George Town Square, performed in collaboration with the City of St. George. The event is free, open to the public, and welcoming to attendees of all ages, making it an ideal evening outing for families, students, and longtime residents alike.

If you have never attended, this guide explains what to expect from the performance, why the event has become a beloved local tradition, and how to make the most of your evening in Town Square.

An Annual Tradition That Brings the Community Together

Few music events in the USA capture the spirit of a community quite like the Concert Under the Stars. Now in its 13th year, the performance has grown into a signature occasion on the St. George calendar, drawing hundreds of listeners who gather on the lawn with blankets, folding chairs, and picnic supplies to enjoy live orchestral music beneath the open sky.

For many residents, the event marks the close of summer and the beginning of the fall season. John Gardiner, a St. George resident and regular attendee, describes the concert as a highlight of the summer months. According to Gardiner, the combination of the outdoor setting and performances of wonderful music makes it an event his family looks forward to each year.

That sentiment is echoed across the community. Kyle Wells, a professor of finance at Utah Tech University, calls the evening “pure Americana,” noting that it captures everything he values about the country and the local community. For Wells, the concert is not simply a performance to attend; it is an annual appointment he would not miss.

Event Details: Date, Time, and Location

Planning to attend? Here are the essential details for this year’s Concert Under the Stars:

• Date: Thursday, Sept. 25
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: St. George Town Square, St. George, Utah
• Admission: Free and open to the public
• What to bring: Blankets and chairs for lawn seating

Because seating is general and on the grass, arriving early is the simplest way to secure a comfortable spot with a clear view of the stage. Town Square sits in the heart of downtown St. George, within walking distance of local restaurants and shops, so many attendees make an entire evening of the outing by dining nearby before the performance begins.

Mark your calendar for Sept. 25 and plan to arrive early to claim your place on the lawn. A little preparation goes a long way toward enjoying this popular music event to the fullest.

What Is on the Program: Classical, Popular, and Patriotic Music

One reason the Concert Under the Stars appeals to such a broad audience is its varied program. Rather than focusing solely on classical repertoire, the University Orchestra blends classical favorites, popular selections, and patriotic music into a single evening that offers something for every listener, from seasoned concertgoers to first-time attendees.

Opening with the National Anthem

The evening begins with a communal moment: the national anthem, sung by the audience and accompanied by the University Orchestra. This opening sets the tone for the night and reinforces the community-centered character of the event. Rather than a performance delivered solely from the stage, the concert starts with the entire crowd participating, voices joined with strings, brass, woodwinds, and percussion in a shared musical experience.

Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and a Fireworks Finale

The program builds toward a memorable finale: Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, performed with a live fireworks display. The pairing of one of classical music’s most dramatic works with fireworks over Town Square has become the defining moment of the concert, and it is often what attendees remember most vividly.

The 1812 Overture is a natural fit for an outdoor community celebration. Its escalating brass fanfares, ringing chimes, and thunderous cannon effects translate remarkably well to an open-air setting, and the addition of fireworks transforms the final minutes into a full sensory spectacle. Children and adults alike tend to leave the event talking about this closing number.

Meet the Director: Paul Abegg and the University Orchestra

Guiding the evening’s performance is Paul Abegg, professor of music and director of strings and orchestras at Utah Tech University. Under his direction, the University Orchestra prepares a program designed to balance musical artistry with accessibility, ensuring that the performance resonates with both trained musicians and casual listeners.

For student musicians, performing under Abegg’s direction at an event of this scale offers practical, real-world experience. Playing for a large outdoor audience presents unique challenges compared to a concert hall, including acoustics, amplification, and the energy of a family crowd. Navigating those conditions helps students develop versatility and confidence as performers.

How Utah Tech University’s Music Department Shapes Students and the Community

The University Orchestra is part of Utah Tech University’s Music Department, an academic unit with a mission that extends well beyond the classroom. The department fosters profound musical experiences for students, challenges them to think deeply about music’s role in society, and works to shape the cultural landscape of the surrounding community in creative and meaningful ways.

The Concert Under the Stars embodies that mission. By staging a free, high-quality orchestral performance in a public space, the Music Department removes barriers that sometimes keep people from attending live classical music. There are no tickets to buy, no dress codes to worry about, and no formal concert-hall conventions to navigate. Listeners can simply show up, sit on the grass, and enjoy the music.

For prospective students considering studying music at the university level, events like this offer a window into the department’s culture. Student ensembles at Utah Tech perform regularly throughout the year, and the opportunity to participate in community-facing productions is woven into the student experience.

Want to learn more about the ensembles, degree paths, and upcoming performances? Visit music.utahtech.edu to explore the Music Department and the University Orchestra in detail.

Practical Tips for Attending the Concert Under the Stars

To help you make the most of the evening, consider these practical suggestions drawn from the experience of longtime attendees:

• Arrive early. Popularity means the best lawn spots fill quickly. Arriving 30 to 60 minutes before the 7:30 p.m. start gives you time to settle in comfortably.
• Bring low-back chairs or blankets. Seating is on the grass, so plan accordingly. Low-profile chairs help preserve sightlines for those seated behind you.
• Dress for the desert evening. September evenings in St. George are generally pleasant, but temperatures can drop after sunset. A light layer is a smart addition.
• Make it a family outing. The event is family-friendly, and the mix of music and fireworks keeps younger attendees engaged throughout the night.
• Explore downtown before the show. Town Square’s downtown location puts restaurants, cafés, and local shops within easy walking distance, making it easy to turn the concert into a complete evening out.
• Plan for parking. Downtown St. George offers public parking near the square, but spaces near Town Square fill quickly on event nights. Carpooling or arriving early simplifies the logistics.

Why Free Community Music Events Matter in the USA

The Concert Under the Stars is part of a broader tradition across the USA in which universities partner with their surrounding cities to deliver accessible cultural programming. These collaborations benefit everyone involved. Community members gain access to professional-caliber performances at no cost, students gain performance experience before substantial audiences, and cities strengthen their identities as cultural destinations.

In St. George, the partnership between Utah Tech University and the City of St. George has proven durable and mutually valuable. Thirteen consecutive years of Concert Under the Stars events demonstrate sustained demand for public arts programming and illustrate how a university can serve as a cultural anchor for its region.

Free music events also play an important role in introducing new audiences to orchestral music. For children in the crowd, an evening of Tchaikovsky and fireworks may be their first live orchestral experience, one that could spark a lasting interest in music. For adults who rarely attend formal concerts, the relaxed atmosphere lowers the barriers to trying something new.

More Ways to Experience the Arts at Utah Tech University

The Concert Under the Stars is just one entry point into the performing arts at Utah Tech University. The university recently opened the America First Performing Arts Center to the community, expanding the range of venues available for concerts, recitals, theatrical productions, and other events throughout the year. Combined with regular performances by student ensembles across multiple disciplines, the campus offers a steady calendar of cultural opportunities for residents of southern Utah.

Interested in discovering what else is happening on campus? Browse the Utah Tech University campus calendar for upcoming concerts, exhibitions, and public events, and consider attending a performance in one of the university’s newer venues.

Plan Your Evening Under the Stars

The 13th Annual Concert Under the Stars checks every box for a memorable night out: a beautiful setting in St. George Town Square, a program that spans classical, popular, and patriotic music, a rousing audience sing-along to open the evening, and a fireworks-lit performance of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture to close it. Best of all, admission is completely free.

Gather your family, pack a blanket and chairs, and head to Town Square on Sept. 25 at 7:30 p.m. to see why this Utah Tech University music event has endured for more than a decade. If you attend, share your experience with friends and neighbors, and encourage first-timers to join you. Community events like this thrive when attendance grows, and there is no better time to make the Concert Under the Stars part of your annual tradition.

Have questions about the University Orchestra or the Music Department? Reach out through music.utahtech.edu, and explore Utah Tech University’s news page for updates on this and other upcoming events.