Deseret News – Utah Symphony’s 60th Salute to Youth concert: What it means for young musicians

by Lottie Elizabeth Johnson

SALT LAKE CITY — Some have already started pursuing music careers. Some dream of a music career — but first they have to get through middle school and high school. Some are good enough to have music careers but have chosen to pursue other passions.

Which is why just minutes before his performance at the 60th annual Salute to Youth concert, 18-year-old Gabrial Coombs sat on a piano bench talking about data analytics and entrepreneurship. He’s in his sixth week at the University of Utah, and music isn’t the focus of his studies. But music is helping him succeed.

“Music has a really good impact on people’s minds and their ability to think,” he said after running through a line from the Grieg piano concerto in A minor with conductor Conner Covington. “I love music, so I will always play throughout the rest of my life.”

Read on at deseret.com