SymphonyCares
Since its inception during the 2011/12 season, the SLSO’s SymphonyCares program has enriched peoples’ lives through the power of music by providing free performances for those who may be unable to attend a concert at Powell Hall. SLSO musicians perform at various locations throughout Greater St. Louis including healthcare facilities, senior living centers, and correctional centers.
A Glimpse into SymphonyCares
Creative Music Making
Launched in 2010, Creative Music Making is a unique partnership between the SLSO, St. Louis Arc, and Maryville University Music Therapy that empowers people with disabilities served by St. Louis Arc to conceive and perform their own concert.
Held yearly, the program brings together professional musicians and participants in a joy-filled environment that supports the idea of music as a universal language.
Correctional Center Concerts
SymphonyCares concerts not only lift the spirits of the people in the audiences, but also enrich the musical lives of the orchestra’s members. SLSO musicians have brought music to residents at correctional centers in St. Louis County and in the state correctional system.
“Music belongs to everyone. Hearing live music performed by musicians in person is a deep and personal experience,” one musician said.
Senior Center Visits
Partnerships extend to senior living centers, where residents often have difficulty traveling to see the orchestra. The SLSO regularly shares music with the residents at St. Agnes in Kirkwood, Crown Center in University City, and Covenant Place in Creve Coeur.
Beyond sharing music, programs encourage residents to engage with music, some even choosing to dance to performances.