2024 was a year of firsts and transitions for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, but the excellence of the artistic standards remained the same. From stunning performances of Verdi’s Requiem and Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique to intimate chamber music concerts at The Sheldon and the Pulitzer Arts Foundation, the SLSO continued to push the boundaries of symphonic music.
This year saw collaborations with Saint Louis Dance Theatre, a musical mash-up of Brahms and Radiohead, and an electronic dance music party. The SLSO shared music far wide, from the World Wide Technology Raceway in the Metro East to downtown’s St. Louis CITYPARK to 360 Lakeside Park in St. Peters and dozens of places in between. This year also saw significant construction progress on the expansion and renovation of Powell Hall, the orchestra’s home. Here are some of the photos that capture the SLSO’s spirit and commitment to making music accessible to all this year.
JANUARY – SLSO Conductor Laureate Leonard Slatkin led three programs exploring American and American-inspired music with a jazz tilt, anchoring each program by a piece by George Gershwin.
JANUARY – Music Director Stéphane Denève applauds Ken Page, the St. Louis native and Broadway legend who narrated Francis Poulenc’s Model Animals. Page passed away at age 70 in September 2024.
FEBRUARY – In an epic performance, the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, St. Louis Children’s Choirs, and a trio of vocal soloists joined the SLSO and Stéphane Denève for performances of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana.
FEBRUARY – Tenor Johnny Gillings, a members of the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus, sings at the chorus’ annual Lift Every Voice concert. The chorus, which marked its 30th anniversary this year, also launched a publication partnership with MorningStar Publishers.
FEBRUARY – Stéphane Denève leads the SLSO and St. Louis Symphony Chorus in a French-themed program at the Cathedral Basilica.
MARCH – Members of the Saint Louis Dance Theatre (formerly Big Muddy Dance Company) perform alongside the orchestra for Adam Schoenberg’s Picture Studies in the second artistic collaboration between the two organizations.
APRIL – At the Contemporary Art Museum, a quartet perform a Beethoven string piece.
APRIL – Second Bassoonist Julia Paine visits with a student during an SLSO education visit to a St. Louis Public school.
APRIL – For the first time, the SLSO expanded the performance of its Tiny Tunes—designed for Pre-K students—to the public.
MAY – Stéphane Denève and Yo-Yo Ma gesture to the audience following a sold-out gala concert.
MAY – Nostalgia was in full swing for a performance of Bugs Bunny at the Symphony.
JUNE – The 370 Lakeside Park in St. Peters, for the first time in its history, reached capacity for an SLSO chamber music concert that invited concertgoers to bring their instruments and play along to Beethoven’s Ode to Joy.
JUNE – Members of the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus perform at the Missouri History Museum for a concert commemorating Juneteenth.
AUGUST—Scaffolding reached the highest points of the auditorium, where crews meticulously cleaned and pointed the iconic dome.
SEPTEMBER – To help celebrate the restart of pop concerts at The Muny, the SLSO joined EGOT-winning artist John Legend on stage.
SEPTEMBER – Tens of thousands of people joined the SLSO for its annual kick-off to the season on Art Hill in Forest Park. This year’s concert featured vocalist Kennedy Holmes.
SEPTEMBER – To open the 145th season, violinist Gil Shaham performed a new violin concerto by Mason Bates, Nomad Concerto.
SEPTEMBER – SLSO brass players delivered the National Anthem before the St. Louis CITY soccer match against Kansas City.
SEPTEMBER – In a new type of concert that pushed the boundaries of symphonic music, composer and DJ Mason Bates and DJ Alexis Tucci welcomed SLSO musicians to The Hawthorn for an electronic dance music party.
OCTOBER – The second season of the Live at The Sheldon chamber music series began with an all-strings concert curated by Associate Concertmaster Erin Schreiber and violinist Shawn Weil.
OCTOBER – The Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis again served as a home away from home for the orchestra in the 24/25 season, including this October performances of Mendelssohn’s Fifth Symphony with guest conductor David Danzmayr.
OCTOBER – St. Louis Cardinals legendary shortstop Ozzie Smith made a special surprise appearance at concerts honoring his friend, SLSO Conductor Laureate Leonard Slatkin.
NOVEMBER – Audience members show their appreciation for the St. Louis Symphony Chorus following a performance of Mozart’s Requiem.
NOVEMBER – Guest conductor Jonathon Heyward reacts to a question from a Ritenour High School music student. The session with Heyward was part of wrap-around content for the students to enhance the concert going experience.
DECEMBER – Piccolo player Ann Choomack was a featured soloist in the Baroque Christmas program held at the 560 Music Center at Washington University.
DECEMBER —The exterior of the new main entrance to the Jack C. Taylor Music Center awaits bricks and glasswork.
DECEMBER – Associate Principal Flutist Andrea Kaplan plays alongside third graders at Griffith Intermediate School in Ferguson. Part of the SLSO’s Arts Intensive in partnerships with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, SLSO musicians performed music to an original musical production created by students.
DECEMBER – IN UNISON Chorus members sing in the annual IN UNISON Christmas concert, which presented holiday music from the African diaspora to a full house at Stifel Theatre.
Photos by Justin Barr, Brendan Batchelor, Jeff Curry, Eric Dundon, Jon Gitchoff, Phillip Hamer, Virginia Harold, and Tyler Small.
