NEWS: George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation Announced as New Utah Symphony | Utah Opera Season Sponsor

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George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles FOUNDATION ANNOUNCED AS NEWUtah Symphony | Utah Opera SEASON SPONSOR SALT LAKE CITY – Today at Abravanel Hall, Utah Symphony | Utah Opera announced that the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, a long-time benefactor of the organization and other arts programs in Utah, will be its season sponsor for the 2013-2014 Season. 
the Eccles Foundation’s long tradition of supporting USUO dates back more than 25 years, carrying on the strong personal interest of its founders in the organization, said Melia Tourangeau, President & CEO of Utah Symphony | Utah Opera,
"We are delighted to sponsor the upcoming season of Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, one that clearly reflects the growing energy and excitement that the organization has been building among audiences, musicians and performers alike,” said Lisa Eccles, President & COO of the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation,  “USUO plays an important role in our community and state, and our Foundation is pleased that our season-long sponsorship for 2013-14 will further extend the impact of our longtime partnership."  
The Eccles Foundation has shown an extraordinary level and scope of commitment to USUO over the years through strong board involvement, generous financial contributions and service as advocates in the community.
“This Foundation has proven to be much more than just a partner and donor to our organization,” Tourangeau said. "Its directors have truly become part of the Utah Symphony | Utah Opera family, sharing our commitment to long-term stability and growth.”
"We have been pleased to be able to build on our founders' tradition of service to Utah's arts community  ̶  and to USUO particularly  ̶  through our many years of hands-on involvement," Eccles said.  "While we have seen USUO, like many other arts organizations, weather many economic challenges, today we are excited to see it moving forward with renewed energy on a positive and vibrant trajectory."
In December 2009, the Eccles Foundation’s surprise contribution of $1 million was one of the milestones in USUO’s fundraising history as a strong and highly publicized leadership gift to the organization.
“The Foundation's extraordinary participation and generosity continues to set an example of the type of support we have challenged the community to make in both action and financial contribution,” Tourangeau said. “We are fortunate to find them in the great company of all those who support our efforts to connect the community through great live music.”
About the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles FoundationAmong Utah’s largest and most longstanding charitable organizations, the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation has contributed more than $400 million during the past two decades alone to benefit Utahns statewide. Through its charitable grants to Utah non-profits, it has improved the lives of countless citizens throughout the state, meeting vital current needs and strengthening the state’s economic base for the future.  Its grants are focused not only in the arts, but also in areas including community/societal needs, education, health care, and historic preservation and conservation. The Foundation's Board of Directors includes the following:  Spencer F. Eccles, Chairman & CEO; Lisa Eccles, President & COO; Robert M. Graham, Secretary, Treasurer & General Counsel.  More information can be found online at www.gsecclesfoundation.org.
About Utah Symphony | Utah OperaUtah Symphony | Utah Opera aims to connect Utah communities through great live music, serving as the premier local provider of orchestral and operatic art forms. The Utah Symphony, which performs at Abravanel Hall, and Utah Opera, which performs at the Capitol Theatre, reach 450,000 citizens in Utah and the Intermountain region, with educational outreach programs serving more than 200,000 students annually. The organization employs 60 staff and 83 full-time musicians, presenting four full operas and more than 70 symphony performances in each regular season as well as community concerts throughout Utah and an annual summer series – the Deer Valley® Music Festival – in Park City, Utah. For more information, visit www.usuo.org.