St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the Fabulous Fox announce more than $350,000 raised at June 29 benefit concert in support of Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis’ tornado relief efforts

(July 7, 2025, St. Louis, MO) – Today, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) and the Fabulous Fox announced that more than $350,000 has been raised to support the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis’ Disaster Relief Fund, a joint initiative that included a benefit concert on June 29 at the Fabulous Fox and a related online donation effort. All funds raised will benefit the Urban League and support the most immediate needs of people displaced or impacted in north St. Louis following the May 16 EF-3 tornado, including:

A portion of the funds will also support partner churches damaged 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.

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

Marie-Hélène Bernard, SLSO President and CEO, said, “On behalf of the 170 musicians on stage, Music Director Stéphane Denève, and IN UNISON Chorus Director Kevin McBeth, the SLSO thanks the St. Louis community for its exceptional support of this joint effort benefiting the Urban League’s vital disaster relief efforts. We are grateful to our friends at the Fabulous Fox for opening their doors wholeheartedly to host the June 29 concert, and to our friends at The Muny for their strong support. This collaboration is a shining example of what the community can achieve in the face of adversity through vision, teamwork, and unity.”

Jeff Antrainer, The Fabulous Fox President & CFO, said, “The Fabulous Fox and its owners are truly honored to have been part of the benefit concert alongside the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the Urban League. It was incredibly moving to see our community come together with such heart and generosity. We are deeply thankful to everyone who showed up to support our neighbors and help bring hope and healing to those affected by the tornado.”

Michael P. McMillan, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis President and CEO, said, “We are tremendously grateful to the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the Fabulous Fox, and The Muny for standing with us during this time of crisis. Their generosity and partnership have not only raised over $350,000, but also renewed hope for families, churches, and entire neighborhoods working to recover and rebuild. This inspiring collaboration is a shining example of how the arts can unite a community in compassion, purpose, and action.”

Pay-what-you-wish concert ticket purchases generated $100,000 in addition to $250,000 in donations directly to the Urban League, with another $150,000 pending as challenge grants. Leadership gifts came from Noémi Neidorff, BSI Constructors, Nancy and Walter Galvin, and the Steward Family Foundation.

The June 29 concert, led by SLSO Music Director Stéphane Denève, and Kevin McBeth, director of the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus, featured the SLSO and 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. Grammy Award winner BeBe Winans also joined the orchestra and choruses for an uplifting performance. The program included music of reflection, hope, and resilience, as well as a moving tribute to Patricia Penelton, an IN UNISON Chorus charter member who died in the tornado.

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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