The Saint Louis Symphony IN UNISON® program began in 1992 through the leadership
and generosity of the Monsanto Fund. The Saint Louis Symphony IN UNISON® program, which began with
five churches, quickly established itself as the model for the
Symphony's community programs, and now Orchestra musicians
perform to 20,000 members from more than thirty churches in the
Metro-St. Louis African-American community. The Saint Louis Symphony IN UNISON® program was
designed to provide music-related resources to area churches
while increasing access to Powell Symphony Hall. Orchestra
musicians visit member churches offering music during services,
special event concerts, and educational events. In addition, the Saint Louis Symphony IN UNISON® program church members are eligible for discounted SLSO concerts,
tuition discounts to area music camps, music scholarships to the
University of Missouri-St. Louis and other benefits. Partnering
churches are also invited to special events at Powell Hall.
An exciting development of this program has been the
Saint Louis Symphony IN UNISON® Chorus.
Created in 1994 to further involve the Saint Louis Symphony IN UNISON® program church members, the
Chorus now comprises 130 members from throughout the community.
The Chorus performs as part of the Orchestra's season in the
annual Black History Month Celebration, as well as in Gospel
Christmas concerts, and community concerts in various locations
around the area.
Saint Louis Symphony IN UNISON® Chorus
The Saint Louis Symphony IN UNISON® Chorus began as a one-time effort for the
performance of Hannibel Peterson's "African Portraits". Due to the
overwhelmingly positive response, the Chorus has become a permanent part of the
Symphony's artistic family. Maestro
Robert
Ray, Professor and Director of Keyboard Studies at the University of
Missouri-St. Louis, conducts the Chorus. The Chorus' annual holiday concert, "A
Gospel Christmas," was an instant hit in the St. Louis community and has become
a holiday tradition. The chorus joined the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra for
performances of Kurt Weill's Marie Galante in the 1999 - 2000 season, their
first appearance on the subscription concert series. The Saint Louis Symphony IN UNISON® Chorus made
its Carnegie Hall debut in January 1998.
For more information on the Saint Louis Symphony IN UNISON® Chorus, call (314) 286-4108.
