Saint Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra

Ward Stare, Music Director
Peggy Neilson, Manager

The Saint Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra has had a significant impact on the region’s Student musicians for over 35 years.  The Youth Orchestra consists of 95-100 young musicians ranging in age from 12-22. The Youth Orchestra rehearses weekly on Saturday afternoons during the school year and presents three programs a season in Powell Symphony Hall. This season we welcome new music director Ward Stare, who is also the new resident conductor for the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra.

Members of the Youth Orchestra represent more than three dozen schools throughout the St. Louis region and some from as far away as Springfield, Illinois, and Rolla, Jefferson City, and Columbia, Missouri.  The Youth Orchestra members receive coaching from the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra members during the season.

Founded in 1970 by Leonard Slatkin, the SLS Youth Orchestra has been a springboard for many young musicians seeking a career in orchestral music – including some current members of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra. There are over than 1,000 alumni now playing, teaching and in fields other than music.

In 2006, the YO performed in the Missouri State Capital Building in Jefferson City and spoke with legislators about the importance of music education. The SLSYO continues its advocacy for music education locally and state wide.

Admission to the Youth Orchestra is by annual auditions. Preliminary auditions are held in May.

For information on the Saint Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra please contact Peggy Neilson, Youth Orchestra Manager, at (314) 286-4407, at peggy@slso.org.

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2008-2009 Youth Orchestra Concerts:

Concert I  November 9, 2008, 3 pm
Ward Stare, conductor

MENDELSSOHN   Sinfonia No. 10 in B minor
DVORAK  Symphony No. 9, Op. 95, E minor (From the New World)


Concert II  March 15, 2009, 3 pm
Ward Stare, conductor

HAYDN  Symphony No. 92, G major (Oxford)              
Concerto TBD
Winner of the Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition
ELGAR         Enigma variations, Op. 36


CONCERT  III May 3, 2009, 3 pm
Ward Stare, conductor

VERDI           La forza del destino Overture
TCHAIKOVSKY  Symphony No. 5, Op. 64, E minor