A symphony season has much in common with a school year. Both follow a familiar September-to-May rhythm, marked by traditions, special events, and the excitement of new beginnings. As students return to the classroom with curiosity and anticipation, audiences look forward to another season of memorable performances.

The 2025/26 season ended with enough memories to fill a yearbook. With the return to the beautiful renovation of Powell Hall and the addition of the Jack C. Taylor Music Center, this past season can only be described as fantabulous. As we look ahead to the 26/27 season, we have the opportunity to celebrate two remarkable milestones. The first is the 100th anniversary of the Symphony Volunteer Association, and the second is the 50th anniversary of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus. As the SVA marks a century of service, we are equally proud to celebrate the extraordinary talent, dedication, and artistic contributions of the Symphony Chorus over the past five decades. Together, these anniversaries honor two organizations that have played invaluable roles in the life of the SLSO, and there will be many opportunities throughout the season to recognize and celebrate both.

Hopefully you have already purchased your season tickets for the coming season or have picked out a few concerts to attend. When attending those concerts be sure to stop by the Symphony Volunteer Association desk (next to the Café) and ask about volunteering. We have a goal of 100 new members by the end of the 26/27 season to celebrate our 100 years of service. Volunteering can fit your time schedule and skillset while supporting the wonderful SLSO. The SVA has a motto: Come for the music, stay for the friendships. You’ll be glad you did!

Suzanne Seibel
SVAPresident@slso.org

What a season!

I could not be more proud of how our Symphony Volunteer Association volunteers stepped up to help at every turn. You were not only the eyes and ears of the SLSO, but often the hands and feet. You helped us improve the guest experience, facilities, and processes, supported many new events, and tackled every project sent your way with enthusiasm. Collectively, you gave over 11,500 hours of time to the SLSO last season. Let that sink in how impressive that is. We cannot thank you enough.

It will be difficult to top the excitement of welcoming the community to the new Jack C. Taylor Music Center last September, but there is no sophomore slump for the SLSO. Looking ahead at the amazing performances scheduled in the 26/27 season it is clear we are continuing the excellence we are known for. On top of that, we will be celebrating 100 years of our Symphony Volunteer Association! Be on the lookout for exciting events coming up including our kickoff event in October, an SVA sponsored concert, and history facts spread throughout the season. If you have some fun historical tidbits, please reach out and share them!

Many SignUpGenius volunteer requests are ready for you, so contact the appropriate chairpersons if you are interested and haven’t received the information yet. Be open to new opportunities that will be available (especially the new Shop and Mentor teams), encourage friends to volunteer with you, and reach out if you have any questions.

It has been a nice summer break, but we start back up at Forest Park on September 16—we hope you will join us. Come be a part of the music of the SLSO and the celebration of 100 years of the Symphony Volunteer Association.

Thanks for all you do and see you soon!

Andrea
AndreaB@slso.org

Jessica Ingraham is the SLSO’s Senior Director of Education. We asked her to tell us a bit about her history and the goals she seeks to achieve.

I recently completed my 14th season with the SLSO. I joined the staff in 2012 as only the third Youth Orchestra Manager in the ensemble’s history, and today I serve as Senior Director of Education. Before coming to the SLSO, I was a music teacher in the City of St. Charles School District, so I know firsthand what it is like to bring a busload of students to an SLSO concert.

Volunteers who help with these concerts may appreciate that I was once the teacher who held up all the buses at dismissal. Our driver parked the bus but, for reasons I still do not understand, walked away and did not return before the concert ended. Afterward, I found myself standing in the freezing cold with 50 fifth graders, locked out of our bus and unsure when the driver might return.

I did what needed to be done. I found a way into the bus so the students could get out of the cold, setting off the alarm in the process. It was quite a scene. To this day, I remind teachers to get their bus driver’s phone number before entering the concert hall.

As Senior Director of Education, I have the honor of helping create musical experiences for hundreds of thousands of children, teachers, and families in St. Louis and around the world. My work focuses primarily on Pre-K through 12th-grade students and their teachers. I am fortunate to work with an extraordinary team to develop programs informed by teachers and responsive to the needs of students and schools.

Our work is grounded in three priorities: access, inspiration, and support.

Access means ensuring students and teachers can experience exceptional music and high-quality resources, regardless of their school, neighborhood, or circumstances.

Inspiration means encouraging young people to begin making music or continue participating in their school music programs.

Support means giving teachers the resources, partnerships, and experiences they need to inspire their students. We know teachers often have the greatest influence on whether a young person keeps music in their life.

I also serve as Chair of the League of American Orchestras’ Education and Community Engagement Leadership Committee. In this national role, I help shape conversations about the future of orchestra education and community engagement while sharing the innovative work happening in St. Louis.

The SLSO has one of the strongest and most respected education programs in the country, but this work depends on the many people who believe in the power of music and contribute their time, expertise, and support. Our volunteers are essential to that effort. They welcome students and teachers, help busy concert days run smoothly, and create experiences that are joyful and memorable. I am deeply grateful to everyone who makes this work possible, including those who have patiently waited while a teacher tried to locate a missing bus driver.

The Discovery Committee is continuing its work to support the SVA 100-yearear anniversary celebration, and in June successfully transitioned the re-creation of the boutique to a new Committee for the Symphony Shop.

Over the last few months Discovery interviewed 9 volunteers to lead the newly named Symphony Shop. The new committee will be led by Paul Kravitz. The General Board voted to approve Paul as the new Chair for 2026-2028. The committee includes the following team leaders:

The Committee reports to Andrea Biske, SLSO Volunteer Manager, and to Debbie Eldridge-Miali, SVA VP of Philanthropy and Stewardship.

Christine Henry, former Boutique Chair, Vice Chair, and longtime Boutique volunteer, and Mel Pashea will be advisors for the new leadership.

The Symphony Shop has its leaders in place but will need many volunteers throughout the coming season to staff the shop during concerts and to assist with other tasks. The plan is for three volunteers to work at each concert. Please watch your email for more information about volunteering with the new Symphony Shop.

On October 1, we will kick off the SVA 100th anniversary at the first SVA Membership meeting for the 26/27 season. In collaboration with SLSO Marketing and Communications, we will be celebrating throughout the year with nods to our rich history and the impact of the SVA on the SLSO and our community, a special concert honoring the SVA, and more.

Please join us in celebrating our past and envisioning our future by taking part in the special activities we have planned throughout the season. Please stay tuned for more information.

Martha Duchild is leading the research project to bring our 100-year history to the forefront to commemorate our 100th anniversary for our members, visitors to the Jack C. Taylor Music Center, and the public. Thank you to those of you who have volunteered to assist. Martha will build upon work begun by Vi Steinmeyer and Nancy Malvin (including Nancy’s wonderful article in the May 2025, issue of News and Notes, available on the SLSO website) and may also be reaching out to “veteran” members who were involved at the outset of several signature SVA programs like Picture and Express the Music and various fundraisers of the past. If you were involved in the founding and/or early activities of these programs, please contact Martha (mduchild@hotmail.com) to share your memories, details, and pictures.

The Discovery Committee
SVADiscovery@SLSO.org

TBD SLSO Trainings
9/9 General Board Meeting (NOTE this is a new date), Whitaker Room
9/15 Musicians’ Welcome Back Brunch
9/16 Forest Park Concert on Art Hill
9/26 Opening Weekend of the SLSO
10/1 Fall Membership Dinner in the ELC and kickoff of the SVA’s 100th Anniversary
10/6 Cocktails & Conversation on Zoom
12/16 General Board Meeting, Whitaker Room

Back by popular demand, we are very excited to begin our sixth year of Cocktails and Conversation. To recap, this is a series of three interactive Zoom conversations with members of our beloved symphony and staff. It’s a perfect way to stay in touch with each other and interact with very special people whom you might not otherwise meet. We typically meet online from 5:00–6:00pm on Tuesdays in the fall, winter, and spring.

We are in the process of putting together exciting programs for you, and we’re happy to confirm that Samuel Hollister, Assistant Conductor and Youth Orchestra Music Director, will be our special guest on Tuesday, February 23rd. He was our fantastic moderator last year when he interviewed Conductor Laureate Leonard Slatkin, and this year, the tables are turned and he will be answering all your questions as we learn more about his musical journey. We are in the process of confirming two additional speakers, and we’ll just have to keep you in suspense—but you’ll love them!

We hope you will join us this year—you don’t have to drive anywhere or get dressed up—all you have to do is sign up, Zoom in, and be a part of something very special!

Marilyn Humiston, Co-Lead
Phyllis Traub, Co-Lead

The Hospitality Committee is already planning another beautiful, bountiful breakfast for the musicians when they return from their summer break on September 15th. Last year, the musicians were overwhelmed by the delicious variety of breakfast items provided by the committee (see photo, taken in the NEW Phoebe Weil Musicians’ Lounge) and the plan is to create another plentiful feast to let them know how much they are appreciated. As the musicians arrive at the building, the committee will also welcome them with cheers and signs. While there are still plenty of breakfast item slots available to fill, within minutes of the initial Sign-up Genius email going out, our eager volunteers filled almost half of the items requested. We are always happy to welcome more bakers to the committee, because with the Hospitality Committee, it’s always the more the merrier.

Janice Seele, Co-Lead
Marjorie Smigh, Co-Lead
SVAHospitality@slso.org

What a wonderful opening season at the newly renovated Powell Hall! Our meetings this year were held at the Jack C. Taylor Music Center, with a lovely dinner in October, a brunch in February, and our inauguration luncheon in May (see photo). All were well attended, and many of our committee members were stationed at the registration table and as greeters and helpers.

Our generous and talented SLSO musicians provided wonderful music, and our speakers provided important information.

On August 5th, we assembled at Kirkwood Park for our annual Ice Cream Social to kick off our 2026/27 season. Ted Drewes frozen custard and yummy Italian ices along with lots of camaraderie made for a fun time.

We are looking forward to the SVA’s 100th anniversary with a special dinner on October 1st at the Jack C. Taylor Music Center. Mark your calendars! Our committee, along with the Discovery Committee, promises a fun evening.

Terri Ciccolella, Chair
SVAMembership@slso.org

Whether an SVA member experiences a loss, receives a special honor, experiences an exciting event in their family, or other reason for notice by SVA, there is an SVA committee dedicated to acknowledging it on behalf of the entire membership. Any member can contact the Membership Engagement Committee team lead, Kathryn Snodgrass, who will send out a special note from the SVA.

Kathryn Snodgrass, Lead
SVAEngagement@slso.org

The new Chair and Vice Chair of the New & Prospective Members Committee, Susan Meister and Debbie Goss, were introduced to their roles by previous Chair Connie Wepfer, who served the recent two-year term with vice chair Elizabeth Hahn. They set a high standard by their comprehensive instruction on the forms and procedures developed by the outgoing duo.

Susan and Debbie report: As our SVA leadership team has challenged us to recruit 100 new members in honor of the 100th anniversary, we are eager to partner with all the SVA members to bring new, enthusiastic folks to our group. We’re ready to welcome them so that they can support the SLSO mission.

One way to help is to volunteer at the SVA membership desk during concerts (See photo). It’s a great way for new members to break the ice!

Susan Meister, Chair
Debbie Goss, Vice-Chair
SVANewandProspective@SLSO.org

The Mentoring Committee was formed in September 2025 to educate and welcome new members. The committee of eight members was quickly overwhelmed as we had 29 new members by the end of September! For the full season we ended up with over 90 new SVA members, most of whom have become active volunteers.

A newly developed printed welcome package was used with individual and group meetings to review SLSO protocols and procedures, explaining the many committees of the SVA and activities of the SLSO. In April, we held our first new member group tour and meeting at Powell Hall, conducted by our great team of mentors. Thank you to Becky Brown, Suzanne Seibel, Kathy Norwood, Vivian Fox, Janice Seele, Russ Vanderbeek, Patty Kaplan, and Jeff Kaplan.

Additional documents have been developed, including a six-page explanation that details SVA members’ activities and protocols, which is provided electronically to all new members.

For the next season, mentors will be making phone calls to review our welcome package with new members. We anticipate this should take no more than an hour or two per member. Individual in-person meetings will be optional. We also plan to have regularly scheduled group meetings and tours at Powell Hall, with our next one likely on a Saturday morning in October 2026.

Additional mentors, using the new time-saving phone call method, are very much needed. Please contact team lead Jim Cooper at SVAMentors@SLSO.org to join this team.

As always, thanks to Andrea for assisting and keeping us under control!

Jim Cooper, Lead
SVAMentors@SLSO.org

The Pick and Choose Committee is the one committee with a main role that can be defined as supportive. Other SVA committees often have a specific direction, event, or task. Pick and Choose is different, as our volunteers may be asked to assist another committee when additional people are needed. Also, SLSO departments, such as Philanthropy or Education, may reach out to our committee for administrative duties such as mailings. One could say our committee is more of an “Odds and Ends.” We get the odd tasks, but they always have an end.

The Pick and Choose Committee is great for anyone who may be working full or part-time, because we never know when our committee is needed. This could be on a weekday or weekend, morning or evening. Since the activity is varied, our hope is that there will be at least one time that may fit into your schedule. Besides supporting the work of the SLSO, actively serving on Pick and Choose can provide the camaraderie and friendship that comes with the music.

While our summer months’ committee activities have been quiet, we look forward to the new 2026/27 season—the SLSO’s 147th—and the 100th anniversary celebration of our SVA! Please consider joining us when you receive the Pick and Choose email sign-ups.

Sharongay Pearline, Chair
Larry Schulz, Vice-Chair
SVAOneandDone@SLSO.org

The SLSO’s 2025/26 season—what a year! I would like to share where we are now. We have 202 Ambassador volunteers. Of those, 139 individuals have volunteered 3,454 hours this fiscal year, filling 761 positions. WOW! In fact, that is more than the entire SVA worked in the Covid season (FY21). The entire SVA volunteered more than 11,500 hours this fiscal year—quite a contribution. 

The best news is that we chaperoned shuttle riders, greeted patrons, answered questions, gave directions, enjoyed amazing music, met new friends, saw old friends, met musicians, smiled a lot, and supported an amazing orchestra at the new Jack C. Taylor Music Center. 

As committee chairs, we wanted to say thank you all for the time you put into assisting the SLSO this year! We appreciate it, the SLSO appreciates it, and the SVA appreciates it. 

Another opportunity at the hall is the new and improved boutique coming this fall, under a new name. I encourage you to look at helping staff the store. More to come, but we will have several more slots at every concert for that committee. Signups should be coming out in mid-August for Ambassadors and the new shop. Sign up early and often! 

Here’s to the people that really, really, really like hanging out at Powell Hall on the Ambassador committee! 

Jim Moore, Chair 
Willard Mosely, Vice-Chair 
SVAAmbassador@SLSO.org 

Our Coffee Concert process really fell into place as we navigated the return to Powell Hall after two years in the wilderness! Logistical kinks were ironed out early, and the season was a huge success (see photo). 

Recruitment for the 2026/27 Coffee Concert Committee Volunteers began in late July/early August. Coffee Concerts will be staffed with 14 volunteers, in addition to the team lead, as follows: 

Team Lead Dave Propper met with Ruben Sanchez in July to discuss the details and capabilities of Sign Up Genius, to determine whether this software can handle the various manipulations, notifications, and tracking that the Coffee Concert Team requires. Dave will update everyone on the decision to use or not to use Sign Up Genius for the staffing and scheduling of Coffee Concert Volunteers and when the recruitment process will begin. 

Dave Propper, Team Lead 
SVACoffeeConcerts@SLSO.org 

SVA Friends of Music have made about one hundred calls a month for the last couple of months. We hosted a committee Happy Hour recently to have an opportunity to meet one another. A small turnout, but worth it and we all enjoyed it. We’ll have another event in September. 

Linda Seibert, Chair 
Margie Knapp, Vice-Chair 
SVAFriends@SLSO.org 

The Powell Hall Tours team has had another busy quarter of activity. With 18 active and experienced guides plus another 10 team members who are currently being trained, mentored, and participating as “shadows” on current tours, the PH Tours team conducted 18 tours (9 public, 9 private) from April through June. We have taken 511 reservations (146 public/365 private) and 466 (122 public/344 private) guests have gone on a tour. (Photo: one of our many tour groups.) 

Each continuous walking tour lasts approximately 75 minutes and visits 15 stops within the Jack C. Taylor Music Center. We have taken local philanthropic, professional society, senior living, and church groups as well as several individuals on tour this quarter.  

Guest feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Here are a few of the direct quotes from written thank you notes: “We just wanted you to know that the tour yesterday was FABULOUS and we’ll be recommending it to all our friends!!!” “This ‘behind the scenes’ tour of Powell Hall was so thrilling and we so appreciated your knowledge and insights of the history and ‘through the years’ narrative.” 

The cost of a public tour ticket is $10, and reservations can be made online or by calling the SLSO Box Office. Private tours may be arranged directly with Kristin Lamprecht, Director of Guest Experience. To close out the summer calendar, four tours are planned for July, and three tours are scheduled for August. 

Becky Brown, Team Lead 
SVATours@SLSO.org

This spring was a busy and rewarding season for our Education Ambassadors! In April, the team helped welcome teens to our Cinematic Symphony concert, followed by five days of Tiny Tunes: Giraffes Can’t Dance performances in May (see photo). 

The Tiny Tunes concerts, designed for pre-K and kindergarten students, transformed the Jack C. Taylor Music Center into an interactive musical experience. With activity stations throughout Powell Hall, young audience members had the opportunity to explore, play, and engage with music in a fun and meaningful way. The excitement and joy on the children’s faces made it clear that these concerts created lasting memories for many of our youngest patrons. 

None of this would have been possible without the enthusiasm, generosity, and dedication of our Education Ambassadors. Thank you for sharing your time and talents to help create such welcoming and memorable experiences for students and families. 

While the summer months are a little quieter, we’re already looking ahead to another exciting opportunity this fall. Join us for The Composer is Dead on October 20–21 as we continue inspiring young audiences through the power of music. Until then, enjoy your summer—we look forward to seeing you this fall! 

Elizabeth Crosby, Chair 
SVAEduAmbassadors@SLSO.org 

During the 2026/27 season, Express the Music  invites students to respond creatively to the first movement of Kris Bowers’ For a Younger Self  Violin Concerto through letters to their younger or future selves, tiny memoir podcasts, and self-portraits. The work will be performed by violinist Charles Yang of Time for Three with the SLSO at the Jack C. Taylor Music Center on January 16–17. The teacher guide will be available August 1, with student submissions due October 23. Selected works will be published January 7, and featured students will be invited to an awards ceremony on March 24. 

Rose Ingraham, Chair 
Patty Kaplan, Vice-Chair 
SVAexpressthemusic@SLSO.org 

In March and April, the artworks for Picture the Music 2026 were displayed for public viewing at Powell Hall (photo), the Saint Louis Art Museum, and the Saint Louis Science Center. The newly elected team leaders are Karen Trinkle, Chair, and Holly Tran, Vice Chair. This fall, the Committee will begin planning for PTM 2027.  

Karen Trinkle, Chair 
Holly Tran, Vice-Chair 
SVApicturethemusic@SLSO.org 

All hands were on deck to help close out the Youth Orchestra’s 2025/26 season and prepare for the next. YO volunteers joined staff to ensure that lunches were delivered to YO musicians prior to performing their final concert (photo). Our own SVA Hospitality Committee sweetened the day with homemade cookies, which proved to be a huge hit with YO members! Thank you to all the volunteers who baked and packaged these treats—they were truly a nice surprise. 

Thanks as well to Youth Orchestra Manager Alfredo DeLeon, whose attention to detail and excellent organizational skills made the job of helping with auditions for the YO’s 26/27 season flow smoothly. Over two days in June, more than 100 young musicians auditioned for the YO. With the building’s expanded spaces, including the Steward Family Education and Learning Center, along with the new warm-up rooms, the YO was able to hold auditions over just two days. Due to the number of shifts each day, the YO team had to reach out to our Education and Ambassador committees to ensure that all shifts were filled. Twenty-nine volunteers filled shifts totaling 172 hours over the two days of auditions. 

What a great way to end the season and we look forward to the next! 

With gratitude, 

Martha Duchild, Co-Lead 
SVAYouthOrchestra@SLSO.org 

Shirley Wasleigh: Shirley Ann Wadleigh (nee Davis), passed away on Friday, May 8, 2026, at the age of 96. 

Beloved mother of Christina (Ron) Goodin and David Wadleigh; grandmother of Jacob Schloeman, Trevina, and Trevor Wadleigh; our dear friend. 

Shirley was born in Northern Kansas City and graduated in 1952 from Mizzou as one of the first women with a BS in Business. She was a TWA flight attendant and flight supervisor in the early 1950s, moved to St. Louis in 1955, worked at Parkway West High School as a business teacher for 26 years, and worked another 26 years as a substitute teacher until she was 90, retiring only due to Covid.  

Shirley loved to travel and visited Antarctica, Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Russia, Ireland, Greece, France, China, Canada, Egypt, and Scandinavia to name a few. She became a member of Bonhomme Presbyterian Church in 1964; she served in the highest office as Deacon and participated in many volunteer events. She belonged to the Wednesday Club, the Red Hatters, and was a Daughter of the American Revolution.  

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the St. Louis Symphony, the Wednesday Club, or Bonhomme Presbyterian Church. Friends may sign the family’s online guestbook at Schrader.com. 

Your General Board consists of the Executive Committee; Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs, who fall under one of the three VPs; and Team Leads, whose groups take on recurring tasks within certain committees.   

All these leaders are available, via their “official” SLSO emails, to welcome you into their committees/teams, answer questions, and generally provide resources to enrich your SVA experience.  All Execs, Chairs and Team Leads have SLSO emails, as listed below.  Vice-Chairs do not have SLSO emails but are listed below for completeness.