St. Louis Symphony Orchestra teams up with more than 100 music educators for free community concert at Powell Hall, April 24
SLSO Assistant Conductor Samuel Hollister leads educators and orchestra musicians in music by Georges Bizet, Gustav Holst, and Bedřich Smetana
(April 10, 2026, St. Louis, MO) – The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra will host a free community concert on Friday, April 24, sharing the stage with more than 100 music educators in a program that celebrates the importance and impact of music education in schools. Led by SLSO Assistant Conductor Samuel Hollister, Extra Credit elevates the talents of music educators alongside musicians of the SLSO. The concert is scheduled for 7:00pm, Friday, April 24, at Powell Hall at the Jack C. Taylor Music Center.
More than 100 educators were accepted for Extra Credit from school districts across the St. Louis region and Metro East, throughout Missouri, and as far away as south Florida. Ninety schools in more than 50 school districts are represented in the program, with an overall student impact of nearly 27,000. SLSO musicians, whose personal and professional lives have been shaped by the dedication of their own teachers, will share music stands with the participating educators.
The combined musical forces will perform works by Georges Bizet, Gustav Holst, and Bedřich Smetana. This event is free. Free tickets are required and may be reserved by visiting slso.org.
Extra Credit is one of dozens of free concerts the SLSO performs each year throughout the St. Louis region and at Powell Hall. Maintaining its commitment to supporting music educators, this is the fourth Extra Credit concert since 2017. Additional concerts took place in 2019 and 2022.
Media Coverage: Members of the media are invited to cover the concert for use in broadcast or print. Participating music educators will be available for interviews prior to the concert. For more information and to RSVP for the concert as a media guest, please contact Public Relations Director Eric Dundon at ericd@slso.org or call 314-286-4134.
SLSO Community Concert | Extra Credit
Friday, April 24, 7:00pm CDT
Samuel Hollister, conductor
Gustav Holst Mars from The Planets
Georges Bizet Selections from L’Arlésienne
Bedřich Smetana Die Moldau
Free tickets are required. Seating is first come, first served
Extra Credit is presented by U.S. Bank. SLSO education programs presented by Steward Family Foundation and World Wide Technology. Sponsored by Hearst Foundations and the Dana Brown Charitable Trust.
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