Soul of a People

A Juneteenth Celebration of Black Music

📍 This event takes place at Powell Hall

Friday, Jun 19, 2026, 7:30pm Get Tickets

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Program

Kevin McBeth, conductor
LaKisha Jones, vocals
Ryan Shaw, vocals
St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus | Kevin McBeth, director

Stevie Wonder / arr. Mossman “Sir Duke”
Charlie Smalls / arr. Fleischer “Everybody Rejoice” from The Wiz
Stevie Wonder / arr. Waldin “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)”
Bernard Edwards / arr. Waldin “I’m Coming Out”
James Brown / arr. Waldin “I Got You (I Feel Good)”
Carole King / arr. McKenzie “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”
George Merrill / arr. Waldin “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”
Sam Cooke “A Change Is Gonna Come”
Otis Redding / arr. Waldin “Respect”
Kool & The Gang / arr. Shoup “Celebration”
Paul Simon / arr. Hayes “Bridge Over Troubled Water”
Siedah Garrett / arr. Waldin “Man in the Mirror”
Lionel Ritchie / arr. Amy “All Night Long”
Bill Withers / arr. Gibson, orch. Gill Lovely Day
Ted White / arr. Shoup “Think”
Brenda Russell / orch. Joubert “I’m Here” from The Color Purple
Nickolas Ashford / arr. Waldin “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”

About this Concert

In honor of Juneteenth and Black Music Month, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra celebrates the extraordinary legacy of Black artists whose music has shaped generations. Conducted by Kevin McBeth, this vibrant program features powerhouse vocalists LaKisha Jones (American Idol) and Ryan Shaw (America’s Got Talent) alongside the SLSO and IN UNISON Chorus for an evening of soul, gospel, pop, and R&B classics. Together, these remarkable voices bring new symphonic life to songs that have inspired audiences for decades. Highlighting the iconic music of legendary artists like Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Sam Cooke, Diana Ross, Bill Withers, Gloria Gaynor, Lionel Richie, Kool & the Gang, and more, the program honors the enduring artistry and cultural impact of Black performers and songwriters.

Artists

Meet the people that make the music.

Kevin McBeth

Conductor

Ryan Shaw

Vocals

LaKisha Jones

Vocals
IN UNISON Chorus

St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus

Kevin McBeth, Director

Musicians of the SLSO

Special Thanks

Supported by Bayer Fund

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Celebrate the extraordinary legacy of Black artists whose music has shaped generations in a special performance with the SLSO and IN UNISON Chorus, featuring acclaimed vocalists LaKisha Jones and Ryan Shaw.

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