Benefit Concert for Tornado Relief (June 29, 2025)
Donate to the Urban League’s Disaster Relief Fund here.
Program
June 29, 2025
The Fabulous Fox
Stéphane Denève, conductor
Kevin McBeth, conductor
BeBe Winans, vocals
Kyle Stewart, keyboard
Rob Woodie, drums
Alvin Quinn, bass guitar
Fred Patterson, guitar
Tracy Smith, alto
Craig Towns, tenor
Jennifer Kelley, soprano
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
- Kevin McBeth, Director of the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus
- Dr. Charles Pearson, Executive Pastor, Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church
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
Remarks
- Stéphane Denève, Music Director, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
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
- Michael McMillan, President and CEO, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis
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, to The Muny, and to each one of you who has contributed to the success of this event.
