The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Stéphane Denève announce appointment of Erin Freeman as Director of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus

(July 30, 2024, St. Louis, MO) – Today, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) announced that conductor and artistic leader Erin Freeman has been named the Director of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and the AT&T Foundation Chair, an appointment made following a national search. Freeman will be the third director of the Chorus since its founding in 1976. She succeeds Amy Kaiser, whose defining tenure spanned from 1995 through her retirement at the conclusion of the SLSO’s 2021/2022 season.

Stéphane Denève, The Joseph and Emily Rauh Pulitzer Music Director of the SLSO, said, “The St. Louis Symphony Chorus is extremely dear to my heart; therefore, I am thrilled that Erin Freeman has accepted to become its new director. When she worked with the Chorus earlier this year, Erin’s chemistry with the ensemble was palpable, and her creative, inspired, and deeply musical and collaborative leadership truly impressed me. It is with great enthusiasm that I welcome this new exciting era for our magnificent Chorus. Bienvenue, Erin!”

Marie-Hélène Bernard, SLSO President and CEO, said, “Erin’s wealth of experience, deep knowledge of repertoire, and engaging personality make her a perfect leader for our Chorus at a pivotal time for our organization, as we reimagine music making in a renovated Powell Hall. Under Erin’s leadership, we look forward to many fruitful collaborations and musical explorations to advance the nationally recognized high standards of SLSO performances.”

Erin Freeman, Director of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, said, “I’m thrilled to be joining the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra family as Director of the Symphony Chorus. When I visited last season to prepare Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem, I was struck by the high musical quality and the kind, welcoming atmosphere of the Chorus and orchestra. I’m truly honored to continue the great work of Amy Kaiser and to work alongside Stéphane Denève in the coming seasons.”

In her position, Freeman will lead the preparation of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus for concerts with the SLSO, collaborating with Denève and a roster of international guest conductors on the artistic vision for choral and choral-orchestral performances. She previously prepared the Chorus for performances with Denève and the SLSO of Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem, a special concert performed at the iconic Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis in February 2024.

A multi-dimensional leader, Freeman serves in multiple positions, including as Artistic Director of The City Choir of Washington, Artistic Director of Wintergreen Music, and Principal Conductor of the Richmond Ballet. She recently concluded successful tenures as Director of the award-winning Richmond Symphony Chorus and Director of Choral Activities at Virginia Commonwealth University. She has guest conducted ensembles including the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, New York City Ballet, Detroit Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, and the Virginia Symphony, as well as at notable venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, Boston Symphony Hall, and La Madeleine in Paris.

A recent finalist for Performance Today’s Classical Woman of the Year, Freeman has also been named one of Virginia Lawyers Weekly’s “50 Most Influential Women in Virginia” and an “Extraordinary Woman Leader” by the VCU School of Business. She holds degrees from Northwestern University, Boston University, and Peabody Conservatory.

The St. Louis Symphony Chorus, founded in the 1976/1977 season by then SLSO Music Director Jerzy Semkow and founding director Thomas Peck, is an auditioned ensemble composed of mostly volunteer singers from the St. Louis region. Appearing with the SLSO several times each season, the Chorus has performed with the SLSO to critical acclaim at Powell Hall, Carnegie Hall, and other venues locally and nationally. Critics have described performances by the Chorus as “always impressive” and “delivered with perfect clarity.”

The St. Louis Symphony Chorus is one of two resident choruses under the SLSO banner—the other being the IN UNISON Chorus, an ensemble that focuses on the performance and preservation of the music from the African diaspora and is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

About the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra

Celebrated as one of today’s most exciting and enduring orchestras, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is the second-oldest orchestra in the country, marking its 144th year with the 2023/2024 season and its fifth with Stéphane Denève, The Joseph and Emily Rauh Pulitzer Music Director. Widely considered one of the leading American orchestras, the Grammy® Award-winning SLSO maintains its commitment to artistic excellence, educational impact, and community collaborations—all in service to its mission of enriching lives through the power of music. 

The transformational expansion and renovation of its historic home, Powell Hall, slated to be completed in 2025, builds on the institution’s momentum as a civic leader in convening individuals, creators, and ideas, while fostering a culture welcoming to all. Committed to building community through compelling and inclusive musical experiences, the SLSO continues its longstanding focus on equity, diversity, inclusion, and access, embracing its strengths as a responsive, nimble organization, while investing in partnerships locally and elevating its presence globally. For more information, visit slso.org. 

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