The Excellence in the Community concert series reached its conclusion on November 2, 2026, through a final collaborative performance with The Covey. The event, titled Unforgettable with Love: The Music of Natalie and Nat "King" Cole, featured Kimberly "KAZ" Woods and Satin Swing.
The final performance marked the end of a long-standing partnership between The Covey Center for the Arts and Excellence in the Community. This collaboration aimed to make exceptional live music accessible to everyone by providing opportunities for Utah musicians to connect with new audiences and genres.
Jeff Whiteley founded Excellence in the Community in December 2005 with the mission to bring Utah's finest musicians to the forefront of Utah stages. Under his leadership, the series hosted more than 1,400 concerts. Whiteley operated under the conviction that Utah's best musicians belong on Utah's best stages, ensuring audiences could experience high-level work regardless of financial circumstances.
The series has featured a variety of musical acts, including Callanish, Mariachi Guzman, the Will Baxter Band, and Nola Richardson. Following the passing of Jeff Whiteley, his wife, Lori Decker-Whitely, has continued to lead the organization and uphold its mission. Decker-Whitely stated that the goal was to ensure people could build relationships with the musicians and the music.
Musicians and professionals have commented on the impact of the series. Utah State University professor and guitarist Corey Christiansen noted that Excellence in the Community helped raise the standard of music in Utah, as musicians treated the performances as significant events. Pianist Dr. Josh Wright also praised the series as one of the most professional and well-run concert series he has performed with.
The final event on November 2 featured Woods, a Salt Lake City native, performing music inspired by the Great American Songbook. The series has been described by attendees as a way to discover new artists and make live performance a shared community experience.
