Program Notes

Benefit Concert for Tornado Relief (June 29, 2025)

Program

June 29, 2025
The Fabulous Fox

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

Opening Remarks

  • Marie-Hélène Bernard, President and CEO, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra   
  • Michael McMillan, President and CEO, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis  

Samuel Barber (1910–1981)

  • Adagio for Strings

Florence Price (1887–1953)
Arranged by Akiko Hosoi

  • Adoration

Reflection and Prayer

André Thomas (b. 1952)
Arranged by Robert Elhai

  • “I Dream a World”

Gwyneth Walker (b. 1947)

  • “How Can I Keep from Singing?”

Spoken Word: “The Village” by Teresia Simmons
Performed by Teresia Simmons

Brandon Williams (b. 1981)
Orchestrated by David Gill

  • “Fierce Love”

John Williams (b. 1932)

  • “Hymn to the Fallen” from Saving Private Ryan

Michael Abels (b. 1962)

  • Outburst

BeBe Winans (b. 1962)
Arranged by Davidson/Maness

  • “Teach Me”

BeBe Winans, vocals

BeBe Winans (b. 1962)
Arranged by Adam Maness

  • “Born For This”

BeBe Winans, vocals

Closing Remarks

Rollo Dilworth (b. 1970)

  • “Freedom’s Plow” for chorus and orchestra

Patricia Brown, alto


The tornado that tore through portions of the St. Louis region on May 16, 2025, affected many members of our community, including nine of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s IN UNISON partner churches.  

Presented in partnership with the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and the Fabulous Fox, 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 tornado. All proceeds will support the Urban League’s ongoing relief, recovery, and rebuilding efforts. 

You’ve already made a valuable contribution to the Urban League’s work by purchasing a ticket for today’s concert, and we thank you for every dollar we have been able to raise so far. If you can, please consider making an additional direct donation to the Urban League’s Disaster Relief Fund.  

Finally, we offer our gratitude and heartfelt thanks to our partners at the Fabulous Fox and the Urban League, to Grammy Award-winning vocalist BeBe Winans for joining the SLSO and our two choruses on stage for today’s concert, and to each one of you who has contributed to the success of this event. 

Donate to the Urban League’s Disaster Relief Fund here.