St. Louis Symphony Orchestra celebrates the 2025 holiday season with slate of concerts at Powell Hall at the Jack C. Taylor Music Center

(October 30, 2025, St. Louis, MO) – Today, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra announced details of its December 2025 concerts, inviting audiences to experience the magic of live orchestral music during the holiday season. Most concerts take place at Powell Hall at the Jack C. Taylor Music Center, which will be bedecked in holiday decorations for the first time since a two-year transformational expansion and renovation. Concerts include beloved holiday traditions like the IN UNISON Christmas and Mercy Holiday Celebration concerts, G.F. Handel’s Messiah, performances of the score to Home Alone, and more.

Tickets for all concerts are on sale now. Tickets may be purchased at slso.org or by calling the Box Office at 314-534-1700. A full concert calendar is available at slso.org or on the SLSO’s mobile app available for iOS or Android. Audiences can attend a Pre-Concert Conversation, an engaging discussion about the music and artists on the program, one hour prior to each classical concert. 

Thursday, December 4, 7:30pm CST
The Sheldon
3648 Washington Ave., St. Louis, MO, 63108

Xiomara Mass, curator and oboe
Julia Paine, curator and bassoon
Ann Choomack, flute
Tzuying Huang, clarinet
Blaine Dodson, horn
Peter Henderson, piano

Eugène Bozza Scherzo (First SLSO performance)
Heitor Villa-Lobos Duo (First SLSO performance)
New work by Mizzou New Music Initiative composer
Vincent D’Indy Chanson et danses(First SLSO performance)
Jeff Scott Startin’ Sumthin’ (First SLSO performance)
Florent Schmitt  A Tour d’anches (First SLSO performance)
Júlio Medaglia Belle Epoque in Sud-America Suite (First SLSO performance)

Sponsored by the Sinquefield Charitable Foundation. Welcomed by Classic 107.3.

A high-energy “tour of reeds” centers this chamber concert curated by Xiomara Mass, SLSO second oboe, and Julia Paine, SLSO second bassoon—the second Live at The Sheldon concert of the season. SLSO wind players share the rapid passages and dynamic ranges of works by composers such as Eugène Bozza, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Jeff Scott, and Júlio Medaglia, with a tilt to the music of South America.

Friday, December 5, 10:30am CST*
Saturday, December 6, 7:30pm CST

John Storgårds, conductor
Kian Soltani, cello (SLSO debut)

Clara Wieck Schumann  Three Romances (First SLSO performances)
Orchestrated by Benjamin de Murashkin
Joseph Haydn  Cello Concerto in C major
Dmitri Shostakovich  Symphony No. 15

*Coffee Concert Series supported by EverTrue. Complimentary refreshments courtesy of Kaldi’s Coffee Roasting Co. and Eddie’s Southtown Donuts.

Conductor John Storgårds, a frequent SLSO collaborator, returns to lead a kaleidoscopic program that begins with the first SLSO performances of Clara Schumann’s Three Romances, arranged for orchestra by Benjamin de Murashkin. Wistful and intimate, Schumann’s work gracefully represents her musical output—primary focusing on music for piano. Joseph Haydn’s Cello Concerto, though exceptionally difficult to master, is leisurely and elegant. Cellist Kian Soltani, whose emotional connection with audiences has captivated many, makes his St. Louis debut. Then, Dmitri Shostakovich’s final symphony, his Fifteenth, is a blend of the composer’s memories, transformed into an epic symphonic memoir with calls to other famous works, including the William Tell Overture.

Friday, December 12, 7:30pm CST
Saturday, December 13, 7:30pm CST
Sunday, December 14, 3:00pm CST

Nicholas McGegan, conductor
Sherezade Panthaki, soprano
Sara Couden, contralto (SLSO debut)
John Matthew Myers, tenor
Philippe Sly, bass-baritone
St. Louis Symphony Chorus | Erin Freeman, director

G.F. Handel  Messiah

G.F. Handel’s Messiah has stood the test of time. Originally written as a retelling of Jesus’ life through text compiled from the King James Bible, the oratorio has gained prominence as a holiday favorite, especially the “Hallelujah Chorus.” Nicholas McGegan, one of the world’s foremost experts on Handel’s music, conducts the SLSO and St. Louis Symphony Chorus in this beloved holiday tradition. Joining McGegan is a quartet of vocal soloists, including soprano Sherezade Panthaki, mezzo-soprano Sara Couden in her SLSO debut, tenor John Matthew Myers, and bass-baritone Philippe Sly.

Thursday, December 18, 7:30pm CST
Friday, December 19, 7:30pm CST

Kevin McBeth, conductor
The Clark Sisters, vocals
St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON® Chorus | Kevin McBeth, director

Repertoire and additional artists announced later.
Supported by Bayer Fund.

A beloved holiday tradition for decades, the SLSO and St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus celebrate the season with soulful melodies of Christmas favorites. This year, the ensembles are joined by gospel legends the Clark Sisters. This festive concert brings together a beautiful blend of gospel, jazz, and traditional holiday tunes. As a group, the Clark Sisters have won two Grammy Awardsand are the highest-selling female gospel group in history. In 2020, the Clark Sisters were honored with the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award at the 35th Annual Stellar Awards. In 2022, the group was inducted into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame.

Saturday, December 20, 2:00pm & 7:30pm CST
Sunday, December 21, 2:00pm & 7:30pm CST
Tuesday, December 23, 2:00pm CST

Stuart Malina, conductor
Kennedy Holmes, vocals
St. Louis Symphony Chorus | Erin Freeman, director

Repertoire and additional artists announced later.
Presented by Mercy.

Experience the magic of the holidays as St. Louis native Kennedy Holmes joins the SLSO to perform seasonal favorites and exciting twists on timeless classics. A cherished tradition, this festive performance promises to fill the air with cheer. From the joyous sounds of sleigh bells to new renditions of beloved tunes, this concert brings the holiday season to life in a way that only the SLSO and hometown favorite Holmes can. Holmes originally rose to fame during season 15 of the NBC hit show “The Voice” and has since performed with the SLSO several times.

Saturday, December 27, 2:00pm & 7:00pm CST
Sunday, December 28, 2:00pm CST

Joshua Gersen, conductor
The St. Louis Children’s Choirs | Dr. Alyson Moore, artistic director

John Williams Home Alone

© 1990 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

A true holiday favorite, this beloved comedy classic features renowned composer John Williams’ charming and delightful score performed live by the SLSO. Macaulay Culkin stars as Kevin McCallister, an 8-year-old boy who’s accidentally left behind when his family leaves for Christmas vacation and who must defend his home against two bungling thieves. Hilarious and heart-warming, Home Alone is fun for the entire family. The SLSO is joined by the St. Louis Children’s Choirs for this holiday treat.

Wednesday, December 31, 7:30pm CST

Stéphane Denève, conductor
Stewart Goodyear, piano

Leonard Bernstein  Candide Overture
Georges Bizet  Selections from L’Arlésienne
Jacques Offenbach Excerpts from Gaîté Parisienne
Orchestrated by Manuel Rosenthal
George Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue
Orchestrated by Ferde Grofé
George Gershwin  An American in Paris
Revised by Frank Campbell-Watson

Break out the bubbly and ring in the new year in style with the SLSO’s sparkling New Year’s Eve Celebration, led by Music Director Stéphane Denève. Denève pays homage to two countries in this rousing program: his native France and his adopted home of the US, concluding with George Gershwin’s An American in Paris, capturing the essence of his two home nations. Canadian pianist Stewart Goodyear returns to the SLSO for Gershwin’s iconic Rhapsody in Blue.

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