In Their Own Words: Teachers Prepare to Take the Stage with the SLSO
By Eric Dundon
Before music educators prepared lesson plans, acquired instruments for their classrooms, and selected pieces for the ensembles they lead, they were once students themselves, performing in bands, orchestras, and choruses and honing their own personal musicianship. Through the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s Extra Credit program, these same teachers have the opportunity to revisit their performing days, demonstrating their own musicianship alongside musicians of the orchestra.
Begun in 2017 as a way to honor teachers and the important work they do in schools, Extra Credit unites teachers and orchestra musicians—whose careers were deeply impacted by the dedication of their own teachers—for a free concert on stage at Powell Hall. Held this year on April 24, the concert features music including Bedřich Smetana’s Die Moldau, Mars from Gustav Holst’s The Planets, and selections from Georges Bizet’s L’Arlésienne.
Now in its fourth incarnation, Extra Credit underscores the SLSO’s emphasis on supporting educators who serve as invaluable ambassadors for music in their communities. More than 100 educators were selected for the 2026 Extra Credit concert, representing more than 90 school districts in four states with an overall reach of almost 27,000 students.
Participating educators shared their thoughts on Extra Credit—the program’s value for themselves as teachers and artists, the impact on their students, and why programs like this matter to them.
Brett Klaus, pianist and Music/Theater Director at St. Patrick School, Wentzville, Mo.
I value Extra Credit because it models exactly what I ask of my students: show up, listen hard, collaborate, and pursue excellence with joy. Standing beside SLSO musicians—feeling their time, breath, and sound from the inside—sharpens my own artistry.
Eliza Bock, French horn player and Music Teacher, Heartland Christian Academy, Bethel, Mo.
The Extra Credit program is such a joy to be a part of. It helps set an example for my students that you don’t stop growing and learning and doing hard things just because you are an adult.
Briana Miller, violist and Orchestra Director, Gentry Middle School, Columbia, Mo.
It’s too easy to get bogged down in the administrative, bureaucratic every day that comes with teaching…sometimes we need reminders of the artists and musicians we are away from the classroom, both for ourselves and to show our students what is possible. I am also an alumna of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra and coming back to Powell Hall is like my own homecoming.
Dawn Daggs, flutist and Music Teacher, Lincoln Middle School, East St. Louis, Ill.
Because of the community that I serve, music is an outlet for many students, and it gives them a sense of family. For many, music becomes a positive force that supports emotional well-being and reduces stress.
Sara Hudson, bassoonist and Band and Chorus Director, Floyd Henson Junior High School, Flora, Ill.
I use this performance as a way to expose my students to the SLSO and orchestral music by performing the pieces for my students: I played along with a recording as a demonstration. This was fun for the students because they got to see me play and hear new, fun music they might not seek out on their own.
Annamarie Phillips, double bassist and Orchestra Director, Fort Zumwalt East High School, St. Peters, Mo.
Music is one of the most valuable things our students can be a part of. Music teaches them to listen, work together as a group, to have grit, and many other skills that students need to succeed in life.
April Lowe Whitehead, clarinetist and Music Teacher, Gateway Science Academy South, St. Louis
Performing with musicians from the SLSO pushes me artistically and reminds me of the joy and energy I get from making music at a high level. That’s something I want to carry back to my students. When I grow, they grow. In my classroom, they learn that their voice matters and that what they create is meaningful.
Al Stith, trumpeter and Band Director, Hazelwood Central High School, Florissant, Mo.
In band, students are part of something bigger than themselves. Each student has an important role and is responsible for improving the performance by listening, staying focused, and contributing to the success of the ensemble.
Chris Barchesky, clarinetist and Band Director, Troy Buchanan High School, Troy, Mo.
I strongly believe that one must work with and learn from individuals who are considered the best in their profession in order to strive for that same level of excellence. While I will never become a symphony player, I do believe I will become a better musician and teacher for my students as a result of this opportunity.
Mary Wright, violinist and Orchestra Teacher, Zadok Casey Middle School, Mount Vernon, Ill.
In my music classroom, I have seen perseverance, gained confidence, language barriers broken, and communities built. If these accomplishments were the only benefits of music education, that would be amazing for one classroom. So much more is gained from learning, preparing, and performing as a group.
Clay McKinney, cellist and Orchestra Orchestra, Parkway Central Middle School, Chesterfield, Mo.
I believe Extra Credit is one of the greatest experiences a teacher can have—to play with musicians of such caliber. At the end of the day, it’s a chance for teachers to step into the scenario that music students face every day and that is extremely important to being a better teacher.
Maggie Mueller, violist and Strings Teacher, Green Pines Elementary School, Wildwood, Mo.
I feel so grateful for the way that the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra supports music education and music educators in the St. Louis area. This concert provides the enriching opportunity to exercise the musicianship I don’t get to do everyday teaching “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” or “Hot Cross Buns.”
Eric Dundon is the SLSO’s Public Relations Director.
