St. Louis Symphony Orchestra invites audiences to learn more about musicians and the instruments they play through new online video series

(March 19, 2020, St. Louis, MO) – The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra launched its new Instrument Playground Online today. This online resource features videos, photos, and activities that introduce audiences to the instruments of the orchestra and the musicians who play them. The videos feature 10 SLSO musicians—representing the four instrument families—being interviewed by local children, most of whom are musicians themselves. The series was produced in collaboration with SLSO Creative Partner Tim Munro and Julie Ritchey, Founder and Artistic Director of Filament Theater, and funded by a grant from the PNC Foundation through the PNC Arts Alive initiative.

The web address of the SLSO’s Instrument Playground Online is: slso.org/en/edu/ipo

Marie-Hélène Bernard, SLSO President and CEO, said, “The new SLSO Instrument Playground Online is another way people can connect with the SLSO. It’s an opportunity to learn more about the instruments of the orchestra and connect with our musicians on a personal level.”

PNC Arts Alive is a multi-year initiative of the PNC Foundation that challenges visual and performing arts organizations to put forth their best, most original thinking to expand audience participation and engagement.

“A thriving arts community bolsters our economy and provides personal value to all of us who live, work and play in Greater St. Louis,” said Michael Scully, PNC regional president for St. Louis. “The SLSO’s Instrument Playground Online introduces orchestral music to new audiences and future musicians.”

The SLSO’s Instrument Playground Online is a digital extension of the orchestra’s popular Instrument Playground, a hands-on experience for children prior to each SLSO Family Concert. The videos are an entertaining and informative overview about 10 different instruments from the four instrument families: strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Through the series, audience members—from elementary students to SLSO patrons—can hear directly from these remarkable musicians. SLSO musicians featured in the videos include:

• Ann Choomack, Flute and Piccolo
• Jelena Dirks, Oboe
• Tzuying Huang, Clarinet and Bass Clarinet
• Silvian Iticovici, Violin
• Will James, Percussion
• Thomas Jöstlein, Horn
• Vincent Karamanov, Bassoon and Contrabassoon
• David Kim, Cello
• Gerry Pagano, Trombone and Bass Trombone
• Shannon Wood, Timpani

The SLSO’s Instrument Playground Online can be found at slso.org/en/edu/ipo. In addition to the interview videos, there also is a brief performance by each musician. The webpage will include additional resources for viewers, especially for teachers to use in the classroom (coming soon).

The SLSO’s Instrument Playground is an initiative that allows kids and adults the chance to touch and try real orchestral instruments. The Instrument Playground, which is managed by the SLSO’s Symphony Volunteer Association, is available at Powell Hall before every Family Concert and at select events throughout the season.

The Instrument Playground Online is part of the SLSO’s commitment to accessibility and music education. For almost 100 years, the SLSO has welcomed students from across the greater bi-state area to education concerts. In addition, the SLSO conducts in-classroom visits, hosts professional development workshops for teachers, and mentors young musicians—all to make arts education accessible to students across the greater St. Louis region.