Community and Education

The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra is an integral part of the community, sharing the gift of music with tens of thousands of people in schools, churches, parks, community organizations and other venues throughout the region.

In just 12 years, the Orchestra's broad-based efforts have grown to include:

• Programs, festivals and showcases each year at more than 100 schools in 12 area school districts.
• Kinder Konzerts, Young Peoples Concerts, and Young Adult's Concerts for more than 40,000 students annually.
• The St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, which includes talented young musicians from more than three dozen area schools.
• Performances in more than thirty African-American churches through the Saint Louis Symphony IN UNISON® Program
• Free performances at community organizations, schools, churches, parks and other locations throughout the year.
• Free concerts at area parks in the summer.

Over 250 free events are held each year. Every event with an Orchestra musician or staff member and a member of our community is an opportunity to educate - from explaining the difference between the violin and the viola, to changing the misperceptions about who is welcome and how an audience member must be dressed to attend a Symphony concert.

These exchanges are important efforts in overcoming a newcomer's perceived barriers to enjoying the music. Equally important, the public educates the Symphony, as we continue to learn how we can more effectively bring music to the people of St. Louis.

Community Partnerships Department
For information call:
CP Dept. Hotline: 314-286-4432
CP Dept. Fax: 314-286-4473
Email: community@slso.org

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SAINT LOUIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
MISSION STATEMENT 

Through widespread musical presentations, to enrich the lives of people of all ages and all cultural backgrounds, excluding no one. 

Our mission has three inseparable parts: 

1.      The artistic focus of our mission: 

• To find a variety of locations where SLSO musicians can share their artistic gifts and special talents with our community 

• To present live performances and live music education programs that are easily accessible throughout our community 

2.      The educational focus of our mission:

• To cultivate awareness, knowledge and enjoyment of music 

• To support music education opportunities for people of all ages 

3.      The community focus of our mission:

• To emphasize the universal language of music which speaks to all cultures 

• To establish and strengthen connections between the SLSO and our entire metropolitan region  

• By bringing SLSO musicians together with a variety of groups in our community 

• By encouraging SLSO musicians to take their music outside Powell Hall so they can interact with people who may never have attended concerts at Powell Hall  

• By inviting people unfamiliar with Powell Hall to come there, and when they do, to make them feel welcome 

Our goals are for the SLSO to continue to learn, grow, change and gain community relevance because of community involvement.

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COMMUNITY AND EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD

Gwendolyn Packnett, Chair
Doris Carter, Vice Chair
James Braun, Past Chair
Jean Christian Anderson
Darwyn Apple
Deborah Bloom
Darlynn Bosley
Dr. Fred Bronstein
Deborah Burris
Dr. Jeff Carter
Sen. Maida Coleman
Darcella Craven
Peter Czornyj
Attilio D’Agostino
Dianne Darwin
Stephanie DeChambeau
Megan Denell
Phil Dunlap
Michael Evans
Flint Fowler
Dr. Terry Gates
Sr. Pat Giljum
Melanie Goldstein
Ida Goodwin Woolfolk
David Halen
Marjorie Ivey
Kristi Kovalak
Margie Lazarus
Suzanne Leek
Ned Lemkemier
Kim Love
Vickie Mayer Altvater
Robert McGrath
Rev. Earl E. Nance, Jr. Past Chairman
Peggy Neilson
Vickie Newton
Jennifer Nitchman
Gilberto Pinela
Mabel Purkerson
Laura Reinert
Rev. B.T. Rice
Jose Rodriguez
Dr. Victor Ruiz
Dr. Ann Rynearson
Jean Saunders
Norman Seay
Erica Schmitt
Elphanie Swift
Marc Thayer
James Webb