Music meets efficiency: How the SLSO is saving with a greener Powell Hall
By Eric Dundon
When the lights dim and the first notes rise inside Powell Hall, most audience members don’t think about what’s keeping the atmosphere comfortable or the room blissfully quiet. But behind the scenes, new high-efficiency HVAC systems and electrical upgrades are doing just that—and saving the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) an estimated $175,000 a year in energy costs.
The upgrades are part of a collaboration between the SLSO and Ameren Missouri through the company’s BizSavers program, which helps businesses and organizations across the state cut energy use and costs through smart efficiency solutions. The result is not just lower utility bills, but a concert hall that offers a better experience for musicians, staff, and audiences alike.
Ameren Missouri representatives presented a rebate check to Marie-Hélène Bernard, SLSO President and CEO, and representatives from McClure Engineering, the local firm that worked on the mechanical and electrical components of the Powell Hall project.
For the SLSO, the timing couldn’t be better. Powell Hall—now part of the Jack C. Taylor Music Center—reopened in September 2025 following a transformational expansion and renovation project. Along with restoring the century-old concert hall’s ornate architecture and grandeur, the orchestra has taken major steps toward sustainability and modernization. Every detail, from the lighting to the air quality, has been designed to elevate both comfort and performance.
“We’re grateful to partner with Ameren Missouri’s BizSavers program to realize energy savings at the new Jack C. Taylor Music Center,” said Marie-Hélène Bernard, president and CEO of the SLSO. “By investing in energy efficiency solutions for the 100-year-old Powell Hall and its newly opened expansion, the program allows the SLSO to redirect more resources to sharing the life-affirming power of music throughout our community.”
Those upgrades are expected to save 1.89 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity each year — roughly the same amount of energy it takes to power 155 homes annually. That’s energy that can now be diverted to the SLSO’s concerts and education and community programs.
For Ameren Missouri, the partnership is about more than numbers.
“We’re thrilled that our partnership with the SLSO helped renovate the historic Powell Hall, saving energy while enhancing comfort for their audiences,” said Gwen Mizell, Ameren’s senior vice president and chief sustainability officer. “Supporting our region’s cultural institutions is part of advancing a sustainable future for everyone.”
The BizSavers program, launched in 2013, helps organizations across Missouri including hospitals and schools to nonprofits and performing arts venues. The program has helped hundreds of organizations operate more efficiently.
For the SLSO, that means audiences can enjoy the magic of live music in a hall that’s not only more beautiful than ever but also more efficient, sustainable, and ready for the next century of performances. The next time the orchestra’s strings swell or a soloist dazzles with spectacular artistry, listeners can take comfort in knowing that behind the music, innovation is quietly at work—making sure Powell Hall’s legacy endures for generations to come.
Eric Dundon is the SLSO’s Public Relations Director.
