SALT LAKE CITY -- Professional and amateur musicians teamed up for the first annual Pro-Am concert at Abravanel Hall this week.
Kent Broadbent, who works as a software engineer, applied for the chance to sit with professional musicians from the Utah Symphony and play on Thursday night, including 12-year veteran violinist Yuki MacQueen.
"It was fun sitting with Kent. He was really professional and matched what I was doing perfectly," said MacQueen. "I never get to cross the foot lights of the stage and meet the audience so it was nice to have somebody come up on stage with me who loves music and could share a moment of music making with me."
Broadbent said working with the pros helped him play better than usual and get into the music more.
"The level of the performance around me was helping me with my performance. Helped me to be able to be able to get into the music more, to take more chances, to really enjoy myself," said Broadbent.
Maestro Vladimir Kulenovic says the sounds of the symphony didn't suffer with the amateur community members on stage.
"It was great. This is what it's all about," Kulenovic said.
The Utah Symphony expects the event to become an annual tradition.
