@utahisawesome: Salt Lake City International Airport marked the end of its $5.1 billion rebuild Saturday with the world premiere of an original piece by Utah composer Kurt Bestor. The Salt Lake City Department of Airports says The New SLC is the first new hub airport built in the United States this century. The department commissioned Bestor to write a theme celebrating flight. It's called "Lux Altior," Latin for "The Higher Light," and according to the airport, Bestor drew inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci and his lifelong fascination with flight. Bestor is an award-winning composer, arranger and performer whose work moves between orchestral, choral and popular music. He said he wanted instruments from around the world to come together as one sound. Choirs carry the piece. Bestor said he made that choice because "an airport is more than glass, steel, wood and creative architecture," describing it as a place where people leave to chase dreams or arrive to start new lives. An adult choir sings about pursuing the higher light, which stands for the dreams travelers carry with them, while the Cathedral of the Madeleine School Choir sings the treble part, a hope for light and peace forever. Bill Wyatt, executive director of the department, said the goal from the start was an airport that reflects Utah's beauty and culture. He said hiring a Utah composer extends the airport's effort to connect travelers with their surroundings through visual, musical and performance art. The piece is available on the airport's website and on Bestor's website, and the airport says it will stream on Spotify and Apple Music. The premiere caps a project more than 12 years in the making. Crews broke ground in July 2014 on a rebuild that replaced three aging terminals with one central terminal and two linear concourses. It opened in pieces. Phase 1 came in September 2020, Phase 2 in October 2023 and Phase 3 in October 2024, followed by four more gates this July. The last seven gates and six concessions open Tuesday. Once they do, the completed airport will have 94 aircraft gates and 101 concessions, according to the airport.

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Sunday 25 October 2026 12:06:06 GMT