Photos

St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Holds InauguralConcert for Teens

By Eric Dundon

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra welcomed a new generation of concertgoers to Powell Hall on April 28 with Cinematic Symphony, an imaginative program created specifically for teenagers. Led by Assistant Conductor Samuel Hollister, this inaugural Concert for Teens explored the emotional power of orchestral music through the lens of film scores and cinematic storytelling, offering an accessible and engaging introduction to the symphonic experience.

Designed as a bridge between family concerts and traditional subscription performances, Cinematic Symphony—designed for concert attendees ages 10 and up—invited teens and parents alike to experience the orchestra in a fresh, contemporary way. Pre-concert activities encouraged audience participation and created an interactive atmosphere before the music even began.

The performance highlighted how orchestral music shapes emotion, suspense, wonder, and excitement in film, helping younger audiences connect familiar cinematic sounds with the artistry of a live symphony orchestra. Hollister guided audiences through the program, which includes selections from film scores by John Williams and Joe Hisaishi, with a particular focus on music from the animated film Spirited Away. This music was paired with orchestral standards by Valerie Coleman, Dmitri Shostakovich, Igor Stravinsky, and Richard Wagner.

Assistant Conductor Samuel Hollister leads the orchestra. (Photo by Jon Gitchoff)
Hollister and the SLSO. (Photo by Jon Gitchoff)
A pre-concert activities asked participants to use their devices to join in a quiz game. (Photo by Jon Gitchoff)
Hollister, right, was joined on stage for a post-concert talk with (from left) SLSO violist Chris Tantillo, horn player Julie Thayer, and Senior Director of Education Jessica Ingraham. (Photo by Jon Gitchoff)
Hollister leads a demonstration from the piano. (Photo by Jon Gitchoff)
Attendees created their own sounds to accompany a silent night, part of the pre-concert activities for the entire family. (Photo by Jon Gitchoff)
SLSO Principal Keyboardist Peter Henderson took center stage for an excerpt from Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2. (Photo by Jon Gitchoff)
The stage at Powell Hall was lit up in different colors to convey the emotion of the music. (Photo by Jon Gitchoff)
A display board shows artwork created in response to how music makes a listener feel, connecting music to emotions. (Photo by Jon Gitchoff)

As part of the SLSO’s broader commitment to expanding access and creating experiences for audiences of all ages, Cinematic Symphony demonstrated the orchestra’s continued focus on innovation, community engagement, and cultivating the next generation of music lovers. The next Concert for Teens is January 31, 2027—Philharmonia Fantastique: The Making of an Orchestra, a live symphonic concert from Grammy-winning composer Mason Bates featuring vibrant animations by Oscar-winning filmmaker Gary Rydstrom (Jurassic Park, Toy Story).

Eric Dundon is the SLSO’s Public Relations Director.

Related stories