St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the Fabulous Fox to host benefit concert to support Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis’ tornado relief efforts

(June 9, 2024, St. Louis, MO) – Today, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) and the Fabulous Fox announced a special concert fundraiser to support the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis’s ongoing relief, recovery, and rebuilding efforts following the May 16 tornado. This collaborative effort features the SLSO and members of its two resident choruses performing a variety of music on at the Fabulous Fox at 3:00pm, Sunday, June 29. Gospel and R&B singer and Grammy Award-winning vocalist BeBe Winans joins the orchestra and choruses for this community-centered special event.

Pay-what-you-wish general admission tickets are available now at SLSO.org. Donations can be made directly to the Urban League’s Disaster Relief Fund at its website.

All funds raised will benefit the Urban League and support the most immediate needs of people displaced or impacted in north St. Louis, including:

Funds will also support partner churches affected by the tornado in the SLSO’s IN UNISON program, which has connected congregations primarily in north St. Louis to the orchestra for more than 30 years.

Marie-Hélène Bernard, SLSO President and CEO, said, “This special concert honors and assists our friends and neighbors in need, while supporting the vital work of the Urban League in the aftermath of the May 16 tornado. The effort fortifies years of collaboration with the Urban League to uplift the community. We’re grateful to Fabulous Fox for opening its doors to the community for this event. Music has the unique ability to provide comfort and healing, and build bridges between communities.”

Jeff Antrainer, The Fabulous Fox President & CFO, said, “We are honored to collaborate with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra to host this special benefit concert at The Fabulous Fox. In the wake of the recent tornadoes that have impacted our community, it’s imperative that we come together to support those affected. Partnering with the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis allows us to directly contribute to the relief efforts and aid in the recovery process. We hope this event will not only raise essential funds but also uplift the spirits of our neighbors during this challenging time.”

Michael P. McMillan, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis President and CEO, said, “The Urban League is incredibly proud to partner once again with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the Fabulous Fox for our neighbors in need who have suffered tragic losses from the recent tornado. All of the proceeds from this amazing afternoon of music will go to our Disaster Relief Fund, providing much needed assistance to our community.”

The concert will be led by SLSO Music Director Stéphane Denève, and Kevin McBeth, director of the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus. The orchestra will be joined on stage by members of its two resident choruses—the IN UNISON Chorus, which specializes in the performance and preservation of music from the African diaspora, and the St. Louis Symphony Chorus. Many of the singers in the IN UNISON Chorus come from SLSO partner churches in the SLSO’s IN UNISON program. Nine of the SLSO’s partner churches sustained damage from the tornado. Patricia Penelton, a charter member of IN UNISON Chorus, tragically passed away in the collapse of the Centennial Church on May 16. The program includes music of reflection, hope, and resilience in a performance that celebrates Penelton’s great life, and partner institutions’ enduring community bonds and a shared commitment to help neighbors recover, rebuild, and heal.

Grammy Award winner BeBe Winans brings his soulful and stirring vocals to the concert. Best known as an inspirational R&B artist along with his musical partner and sister CeCe, Winans is among the first true Christian crossover artists to hit the mainstream.

The May 16 tornado, whose path began in Clayton and moved through the Central West End and north St. Louis, damaged an estimated 5,000 structures in the region with winds peaking at 152 mph.

Tickets for the SLSO’s pay-what-you-wish concert are available through the orchestra’s website.

The Urban League accepts donations to the Disaster Relief Fund directly through its website.

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the Fabulous Fox will host a collaborative benefit concert held at the Fabulous Fox to support the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis’ ongoing recovery efforts from the May 16 tornado in St. Louis. The orchestra, members of its two resident choruses, and Grammy Award-winning vocalist BeBe Winans will perform at 3:00pm, Sunday, 29. The funds raised from this general admission, pay-what-you-wish concert and related donation effort will benefit the Urban League’s Disaster Relief Fund.

Benefit Concert for Tornado Relief
Sunday, June 29, 3:00pm CDT
The Fabulous Fox, 527 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis MO 63103

Stéphane Denève, conductor
Kevin McBeth, conductor
BeBe Winans, vocals
Members of the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus | Kevin McBeth, director
Members of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus | Erin Freeman, director

Samuel Barber  Adagio for Strings
Florence Price Adoration
arr. Akiko Hosoi
André Thomas “I Dream a World”
orch. Robert Elhai
Gwyneth Walker “How Can I keep form Singing?”
Brandon Williams “Fierce Love”
orch. David Gill
John Williams Hymn to the Fallen from Saving Private Ryan
Michael Abels Outburst
Rollo Dilworth Freedom’s Plow

Program subject to change.

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 2024/25 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 project that expands and renovates the orchestra’s historic home, Powell Hall—designed by Snøhetta and creating the Jack C. Taylor Music Center—will be completed in September 2025. This milestone builds on the institution’s momentum as a civic leader in convening individuals, creators, and ideas, while fostering a culture welcoming to all. For more information, visit slso.org.

The Fabulous Fox opened on January 31, 1929 as one of the crown jewels in William Fox’s motion picture empire. Billed as “St. Louis’ largest and most magnificent temple of amusement,” the theatre’s historic relevance was recognized when it was accepted into the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. After dazzling and delighting millions of people for nearly 50 years with films, stage shows, concerts, radio shows, special events and world premieres, the theatre closed in 1978. In 1981, The Fabulous Fox was privately purchased by Fox Associates and an incredible one-year restoration project awas launched bringing the Siamese-Byzantine splendor of The Fabulous Fox back to life. The Fabulous Fox reopened its doors with the musical “Barnum” on September 7, 1982 to a capacity crowd of 4,500. The meticulous restoration of The Fabulous Fox was recognized by The National Trust of Historical Preservation with a 1983 National Trust Honor Award. Since 1982, more than 20 million people have passed through the brass doors of The Fabulous Fox to see Broadway shows, Vegas performers, top pop, rock and comedy concert acts, country superstars, dance, family productions, gospel plays, and classic movies; and to attend tours, seminars, private parties, weddings, graduations and proms. The Fabulous Fox continues to provide St. Louis audiences with the best of everything and something for everyone. 

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis is the largest and oldest affiliate of the National Urban League movement. Founded in 1918, the organization empowers African Americans and others throughout the region through programs focused on economic opportunity, education, health and wellness, housing, and social justice. With over 60 programs and services across 25 locations, the Urban League continues to be a vital force for change, equity, and empowerment throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan area. Learn more at www.ulstl.com.

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