SAINT LOUIS SYMPHONY COMMUNITY UPDATE  

ST. LOUIS, October 16, 2003 – Generous grants from St. Louis and national corporations and foundations continue to ensure the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra’s drive to achieve financial health, support its world-class programs, and push the Symphony closer to the $40 million it needs to raise to match the Taylor Family Challenge.

The latest round of grants includes $525,000 from the Boeing-McDonnell Foundation for annual support and support of the endowment, as well as $8,000 from the Employees Community Fund of Boeing St. Louis for support of the 2004 “Express the Music Program.” In addition, $50,000 from AT&T will support the opening of the 2003-2004 season and the December 13 performance of Handel’s Messiah, to be conducted by Itzhak Perlman; $10,000 from Target Stores is designated for the Symphony’s in-school programs; and $10,000 from the Moneta Group Charitable Foundation supports the 2004 “Picture the Music” program.

“It is important to Boeing to support the investment made to the endowment by the Taylor family,” said Pat Finneran, Boeing St. Louis regional executive. “The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra is not only an asset to the region, it is a community treasure.”

“The St. Louis community has made a clear commitment to the Symphony,” said J. Steve Weber, AT&T Missouri vice president. “We are proud to support some of the Symphony's most anticipated performances of the 2003-2004 season.”

Gifts toward the Taylor Family Challenge have come from individuals, foundations, and corporations. The donations announced today indicate increasing support from a growing number of companies and foundations that are committed to the Symphony’s current and long‑term success. Other significant corporate and foundation contributions already announced include $3 million from Emerson and $1 million from the Whitaker Foundation.

“This level of corporate and foundation support demonstrates that all parts of the community are committed to preserving this institution as one of the great music-making ensembles in the world,” said Dr. Virginia Weldon, chairman of the Symphony’s Board of Trustees. “We are extremely grateful for all of the support.”

The Taylor Challenge was established in December 2000, and was made possible through the generosity of Jack and Susan Taylor, Andrew and Barbara Taylor, Jo Ann Taylor Kindle, and the entire Taylor family. Of the $80 million generated by the challenge, $70 million will be used to build the Orchestra’s endowment.