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SLSO’s milestone 2025/26 season kicks off in Forest Park

By Eric Dundon

Once again, St. Louisans showed up by the thousands to support the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in its first concert of the season—the annual concert in Forest Park. Performed in memory of Mary Ann Lee, the concert serves as the opening for the orchestra’s season. In the case of the 2025/26 season, the concert was the first in a milestone season that will welcome the orchestra back to Powell Hall and the newly created Jack C. Taylor Music Center following the completion of a two-year expansion and renovation.

The September 17, 2025, concert saw cloudless skies and as estimated crowd size of more than 20,000. Audiences began arriving as early as 3:30pm for the 7:00pm to stake out their place on Art Hill. By 5:00pm, more than a dozen local food trucks began serving a variety of cuisines, and families enjoyed activities at a Family Fun Zone at 6:00pm.

The real draw, though, was the orchestra itself. Led by Music Director Stéphane Denève, the program included several selections that will reprised later in the 25/26 season, including Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, Igor Stravinsky’s The Firebird, and more. The crowd felt a patriotic touch with a salute to the armed forces. And of course, the concert wouldn’t be complete without music by John Williams. This year, Denève (a personal friend of Williams) selected Liberty Fanfare and the Main Title from Star Wars.

The SLSO’s Opening Weekend is September 26-28. Concerts run through June 2026. Tickets for all concerts are available now.

The concert has steadily grown in popularity over the years, and now serves as an end-of-summer tradition for many families. (Photo by Justin Barr)
Stéphane Denève and the musicians donned red shirts that displays the SLSO’s new brand, released in time for the start of the milestone season. (Photo by Virginia Harold)
The crowd stretched as far as the eye can see from the view in the percussion section. (Photo by Virginia Harold)
Associate Principal Bassoonist Andy Gott warms up prior to the concert. (Photo by Virginia Harold)
Stéphane Denève leads the orchestra in an excerpt from Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 near the top of the annual concert. (Photo by Virginia Harold)
At the Family Fun Zone, SLSO volunteers and Education Team staff members engaged with children in a variety of activities. (Photo by Virginia Harold)
As usual, the concert ended with a show stopping fireworks display over the Grand Basin, Art Hill, and the St. Louis Art Museum. (Photo by Justin Barr)
Lights danced above the SLSO throughout the concert, providing a beautiful backdrop for a variety of tunes. (Photo by Virginia Harold)
SLSO musicians must quickly adjust to the conditions at Forest Park, which are vastly different from an indoor concert hall. (Photo by Virginia Harold)
Youngsters play with light sticks collected in the Family Fun Zone. During the performance of the main title to Star Wars, many of the glow sticks acted dually as lightsabers and conducting batons. (Photo by Virginia Harold)
Stéphane Denève acknowledges SSgt MeLan K. Smartt, who provided the vocals for “The Star Spangled Banner” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” (Photo by Virginia Harold)
Two young audience members typified the response by many in the crow—awe and wonder. (Photo by Virginia Harold)
Principal Timpanist Shannon Wood warms up for the concert. He was featured prominently in Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man. (Photo by Virginia Harold)
Audiences members got creative with their time before the concert, including playing games (like this family), bringing elaborate picnic set-ups, painting, playing frisbee, and more. (Photo by Virginia Harold)
The statue of King Louis IX keeps a watchful eye over the SLSO concert. (Photo by Virginia Harold)
The sun begins to set over St. Louis as thousands of people settle in to watch the SLSO perform its annual concert in Forest Park. (Photo by Justin Barr)
More than a dozen food trucks served thousands of audience members. (Photo by Virginia Harold)

Eric Dundon is the SLSO’s Public Relations Director.

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