St. Louis Symphony Orchestra announces December programming at five area venues

(October 29, 2024, St. Louis, MO) – Today, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra announced details of its holiday concert line up, with 15 concerts over nine programs, including beloved traditions, chamber music, films, and special collaborations. 

Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at slso.org or by calling the Box Office at 314-534-1700.  A full concert calendar is available at slso.org or on the SLSO’s mobile app available for iOS or Android.

While the transformational expansion and renovation of Powell Hall continues, the SLSO will perform December concerts at five venues throughout the region, including The Sheldon (December 5), United Hebrew Congregation (December 6), the Pillsbury Theater at Washington University’s 560 Music Center (December 6-7), Stifel Theatre (December 8, 13-15, 21-22, 28-29, and 31), and the J. Scheidegger Center for Performing Arts at Lindenwood University in St. Charles (December 17-18). Shuttle service will be available for select concerts at Stifel Theatre starting at $15 per seat and will depart from Plaza Frontenac and St. Louis Community College–Forest Park. 

Live at The Sheldon: Fanfares and Festivals
Thursday, December 5, 7:30pm CST
The Sheldon
3648 Washington Ave., St. Louis, MO, 63108

Steven Franklin, curator and trumpet
Amanda Stewart, curator and trombone
George Goad, trumpet
Thomas Drake, trumpet
Julie Thayer, horn
Victoria Knudtson, horn
Jonathan Randazzo, trombone
Jonathan Reycraft, trombone
Jason Sato, bass trombone
Chance Trottman-Huiet, tuba
Alan Stewart, percussion

William Byrd Earl of Oxford’s March
Arranged by Chris O’Hara
Tylman Susato Renaissance Dances from The Danserye
Arranged by John Iveson
Francis Poulenc Four Short Prayers of St. Francis of Assisi for trombone quartet
Arranged by Conrad Henning
Ethan Sanders Fanfares and Chorales for brass quintet (World premiere)
Oskar Böhme Brass Sextet in E-flat minor
Igor Stravinsky Fanfare for a New Theatre for two trumpets
Steven Franklin Quintet in B-flat major for low brass (World premiere)
Morley Calvert  Suite from the Monteregian Hills
Gustav Holst “In the Bleak Midwinter”
Arranged by Steven Franklin
Giovanni Gabrieli Canzon II a 4, Ch. 187 from Canzon per sonare

Chamber music curated by Steven Franklin (Principal Trumpet) and Amanda Stewart (Associate Principal Trombone).
Sponsored by the Sinquefield Charitable Foundation. Welcomed by Classic 107.3.

The virtuosity of brass—written for cathedrals, for festivals, for the prayers of saints, and for the sheer joy of making music—takes center stage in the second Live at The Sheldon chamber music concert of the season, curated by Principal Trumpet Steven Franklin and Associate Principal Trombone Amanda Stewart. Celebratory sounds from the Renaissance and Baroque time periods, the mid-20th century, and new music by Franklin and University of Missouri student Ethan Sanders fill the hall.

A Baroque Christmas
Friday, December 6, 10:30am CST*
Saturday, December 7, 7:30pm CST
The Pillsbury Theatre at Washington University’s 560 Music Center
560 Trinity Ave., St. Louis, MO 63130

Patrick Dupré Quigley, conductor (SLSO debut)
Alejandro Valdepeñas, viola
Ann Choomack, piccolo

J.S. Bach Sinfonia from A Christmas Oratorio
J.S. Bach Sonata from Cantata BWV 31
Arcangelo Corelli Concerto grosso in G minor, “Christmas Concerto”
Georg Philipp Telemann Viola Concerto in G major
Antonio Vivaldi Piccolo Concerto in C major
J.S. Bach Orchestral Suite No. 3

*Coffee Concert series supported by Lutheran Senior Services. Refreshments provided by Kaldi’s Coffee and Eddie’s Southtown Donuts.

Bach heralds the holidays in a program infused with the sound of Baroque-era music. The Orchestral Suite No. 3 gleams with the sound of trumpets and drums, while the Sinfonia from A Christmas Oratorio captures a quiet pastoral beauty. Two SLSO musicians take center stage for concertos by Georg Philipp Telemann and Antonio Vivaldi: Alejandro Valdepeñas, Associate Principal Viola, and Ann Choomack, piccolo. The distinctive Art Deco style of Washington University’s 560 Music Center provides the backdrop for this enchanting program.

SLSO Community Concert: Symphony Shabbat featuring Holocaust Composer Stories
Friday, December 6, 6:30pm CST
United Hebrew Congregation
13788 Conway Rd, St. Louis, MO 63141

Alison Harney, violin
Nathan Lowry, violin
Beth Guterman Chu, viola
Yin Xiong, cello
Helen Turner, presenter
Dr. Sarah Ruddy, presenter

Pavel Haas                                String Quartet No. 3

Experience the stories and music of composers impacted by the Holocaust in this moving community performance at United Hebrew Congregation. This collaborative presentation and performance features Czech composer Pavel Haas and his String Quartet No. 3 and includes an informative presentation about his life. This performance is free. RSVPs are requested at slso.org. For years, the SLSO has partnered with Jewish houses of worship for a music performance to coincide with Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest and worship.

Celtic Woman Christmas Symphony
Sunday, December 8, 7:00pm CST
Stifel Theatre
1400 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103

Lloyd Butler, conductor (SLSO debut)
Celtic Woman, vocal/instrumental ensemble

Repertoire announced from the stage.

Celebrate the holiday season with the celestial voices of Grammy-nominated multi-platinum Irish singing sensation Celtic Woman. This dramatic collaboration combines centuries of Irish musical tradition with a full symphonic orchestra, highlighting the vibrant harmonies of the internationally recognized quartet. This enchanting evening is filled with holiday cheer featuring such Yuletide classics as “Silent Night,” Carol of the Bells, Sleigh Ride, and “Deck the Halls,” along with the all-female ensemble’s favorites “Danny Boy,” “Amazing Grace,” and “You Raise Me Up.”

IN UNISON Christmas with Take 6
Friday, December 13, 7:30pm CST
Stifel Theatre
1400 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103

Kevin McBeth, conductor
Take 6
St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus | Kevin McBeth, director

Traditional “Joy to the World”
Arranged by Anthony DiLorenzo
Dan Forrest “Gloria in Excelsis” from LUX: The Dawn from On High
Norman Hutchins“Emmanuel”
Arranged by Dustin Loehrs; Orchestrated by Daniel Galbraith
Vince Guaraldi  “Christmas Time Is Here”
Arranged by Robert Sterling
Traditional “Go Tell It on the Mountain”
Arranged by Michael Lawrence
Franz Gruber “Silent Night”
Arranged by Jeff Tyzik
Traditional  “Do You Hear What I Hear?”
Hugh Martin/Ralph Blane “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
Traditional “O Come All Ye Faithful”
G.F. Handel “Hallelujah” from Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration
Arranged by Warren/Jackson/Kibble/Hey/Chinn
Traditional  “Oh What a Wonderful Child (Glory to the Newborn King)”
Arranged by Floyd
Traditional “The First Nowell”
Arranged by Mack Wilberg
Traditional “Thank You, Lord”
Arranged by Hawkins/Cymbala
Traditional  “Carol of the Bells”
Arranged by David Foster
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky  “Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy”
Traditional “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing”
Traditional  “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”
Arranged by Jeremy Lubbock

Supported by Bayer Fund.

Ring in the holidays with this powerful performance by the Grammy Award®-winning a cappella group Take 6 alongside the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus. Heralded by Quincy Jones as the “baddest vocal cats on the planet,” Take 6 bring their unparallel harmonies to this soulful celebration of the holidays, blending gospel, jazz, and traditional favorites—an unforgettable experience that will stay with you for years to come. The IN UNISON Chorus has established itself as one of the essential music ensembles in the region, performing and preserving music from the African diaspora for 30 years.

The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert
Saturday, December 14, 7:00pm CST
Sunday, December 15, 2:00pm CST
Stifel Theatre
1400 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103

Damon Gupton, conductor
Members of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus | Erin Freeman, director

Miles Goodman                     The Muppet Christmas Carol

Experience Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale as only the Muppets can tell it. Kermit and the gang help Ebenezer Scrooge, played by actor Michael Caine, find redemption and his holiday spirit one fateful Christmas Eve. Join the SLSO as it performs Miles Goodman’s memorable score while this delightful family film plays on Stifel Theatre’s big screen.

Mercy Holiday Celebration
Tuesday, December 17, 7:30pm CST
Wednesday, December 18, 7:30pm CST
J. Scheidegger Center for Performing Arts at Lindenwood University
2300 W. Clay St., St. Charles, MO 63301
Saturday, December 21, 2:00pm CST
Sunday, December 22, 2:00pm CST
Stifel Theatre
1400 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103

Norman Huynh, conductor
Capathia Jenkins, vocals
St. Louis Symphony Chorus | Kevin McBeth, guest director

Leroy Anderson A Christmas Festival
Jerry Herman “We Need a Little Christmas”
Arranged by Robert Wendel
Walter Kent “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”
Arranged by Fred Barton
Walter Afanasief “All I Want for Christmas Is You”
Arranged by Tedd Firth
Traditional “The Twelve Days of Christmas”
Arranged by John Rutter
Ralph Vaughan Williams Fantasia on Greensleeves
Buddy Greene “Mary, Did You Know?”
Arranged by Randall Craig Fleischer
John Williams Two Holiday Songs from Home Alone
Georges Bizet  “Farandole” from L’Arlésienne Suite No. 2
Traditional “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
Arranged by Alice Parker
Various A Winter Miracle
Arranged by Tim Berens
Adolphe Adam “O Holy Night”
Arranged by David Clydesdale
Irving Taylor “The Man with the Bag”
Arranged by Daryl McKenzie
Johnny Marks “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
Arranged by Rchard Hayman
Leroy Anderson Sleigh Ride
Various  Christmas Sing-A-Long
Arranged by John Finnegan

Presented by Mercy.

Ring in the holidays with an evening of musical cheer. From sleigh bells to horse whinnies, the SLSO brings the sounds of the holidays to life as they perform seasonal standards and exciting twists on beloved classics. Norman Huynh returns to conduct this holiday tradition alongside the dazzling vocalist and star of stage and screen Capathia Jenkins and the St. Louis Symphony Chorus. Thousands of St. Louisans kick off their holiday season with the SLSO every year. Traditions and surprises await at the J. Scheidegger Center for Performing Arts at Lindenwood University and Stifel Theatre.

How to Train Your Dragon in Concert
Saturday, December 28, 7:00pm CST
Sunday, December 29, 2:00pm CST
Stifel Theatre
1400 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103

Scott Terrell, conductor

John Powell                              How to Train Your Dragon

DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon combines humor, fire-breathing action, and epic adventure. In this captivating story, a young Viking defies tradition when he befriends one of his deadliest foes—a ferocious dragon he calls Toothless. Together, these unlikely heroes must fight against all odds to save both their worlds. Experience the thrill of this acclaimed film presented in HD, with composer John Powell’s Oscar®-nominated score performed live to picture by the SLSO. 

New Year’s Eve Celebration
Tuesday, December 31, 7:30pm CST
Stifel Theatre
1400 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103

Stephanie Childress, conductor
Steven Franklin, trumpet
Jonathan Randazzo, trombone

Antonín Dvořák Slavonic Dance No. 1
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky  Overture to The Nutcracker Suite No. 1
Anna Clyne Masquerade for Orchestra (First SLSO performances)
Joseph Turrin Fandango (First SLSO performances)
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor “Valse de la Reine” from Four Characteristic Waltzes (First SLSO performances)
William Walton  Crown Imperial (Coronation March)
Camille Saint-Saëns “Danse Baccanale” from Samson et Dalila
Leonard Bernstein  “Lonely Town” from Three Dance Episodes from On the Town
Johann Strauss, Jr. Frühlingsstimmen (Voices of Spring)
José Serebrier Selections from Carmen Symphony in Twelve Scene (First SLSO performances)

Kick off your New Year’s Eve festivities with a celebration of the year that was and the year to come, filled with surprise selections of classical and popular favorites. Stephanie Childress, former SLSO Assistant Conductor, returns to conduct this New Year’s tradition.

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 145th year with the 2024/2025 season and its sixth 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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