THE ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ANNOUNCES ADDITIONS TO ITS 2018/2019 SEASON, INCLUDING LIVE AT POWELL HALL, AN IN UNISON MILESTONE, AND THE FAMILY CONCERT SERIES
Upcoming season features the return of Leslie Odom, Jr., and Chris Botti,films including Star Wars: A New Hope, plus the 25th anniversary of the IN UNISON Chorus and three engaging storiesin the Family Series
(June 19, 2018, St. Louis, MO) – Today, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra announced additional concerts for its 2018/2019 season, including Live at Powell Hall, IN UNISON, and Family Concerts. The additions include performances by the SLSO with movies and marquee guest artists. The three Family Concerts include two classic tales and a clever whodunit story. The SLSO also will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus, which was founded in 1994 by Dr. Robert Ray. These concerts are all part of the 18/19 season, which runs from September 2018 through May 2019.
Live at Powell Hall
Since 2010, the SLSO has hosted more than 150 Live at Powell Hall concerts, including:
- 21 movies – from classics like Psycho and Singin’ in the Rain to family favorites such as The Wizard of Oz, Fantasia, and Jurassic Park. In 2016, the SLSO performed the first of eight Harry Potter movies and will perform the fourth and fifth movies in the 18/19 season.
- 11 programs featuring movie music, including favorites from Disney films, as well as the music of John Williams and the James Bond movies.
- 16 different guest artists, ranging from Ben Folds and Mary Chapin Carpenter, to Idina Menzel and Leslie Odom, Jr., to Wyclef Jean and hip-hop artist Nelly.
- And 38 tribute concerts, including celebrations of Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Pink Floyd, Billy Joel, and Prince.
During the 18/19 season, the SLSO welcomes back Tony and Grammy-winning performer Leslie Odom, Jr., best known for his role originating Aaron Burr in the Broadway cast of Hamilton. Odom will perform Broadway classics and holiday standards in his SLSO return (December 2, 2018). Grammy Award-winner Chris Botti joins the SLSO for the fourth time since 2011, combining elements of classical, pop, and jazz for a one-night-only concert (October 26, 2018).
In addition to the next two installments of the magical film series – Harry Potter and the Goblet of FireTM (September 14-16, 2018) and Harry Potter and the Order of the PhoenixTM (April 12-14, 2019) – the SLSO will perform two classic John Williams scores: first, the classic comedy Home Alone (December 14-16, 2018) and second, Star Wars: A New Hope—In Concert for four shows (January 24-27, 2019). The SLSO welcomes an animated favorite to Powell Hall: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (November 2-4, 2018). The score by Danny Elfman features the voice of St. Louisan Ken Page as the evil Oogie Boogie. The film celebrates the 25th anniversary of its release in 2018.
Movie music will take center stage when the SLSO performs Walt Disney Animation Studios: A Decade in Concert (December 28-29, 2018). This program features clips from Disney’s unforgettable films over the last ten years, including Moana, Tangled, Wreck-It Ralph, and the Academy Award-winning films Frozen and Zootopia.
Live at Powell Hall Concerts
An Evening with Chris Botti
Friday, October 26, 2018, 7:30pm
Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Chris Botti returns to perform with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra for one night only, performing breathtaking musical stylings blended with the sounds of the SLSO. Experience one of the world’s most beloved instrumentalists play with his uniquely expressive sound and soaring musical imagination.
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas—In Concert
Friday, November 2, 2018, 7:00pm
Saturday, November 3, 2018, 7:00pm
Sunday, November 4, 2018, 2:00pm
Danny Elfman’s delightfully quirky score drives Tim Burton’s fantastical tale of Jack Skellington’s plot for Halloween Town to take over Christmas. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the movie’s release, the SLSO plays the score live.
Leslie Odom, Jr.—In Concert
Sunday, December 2, 2018, 7:00pm
The one, the only Leslie Odom, Jr., returns for the second year in a row to perform with the SLSO this holiday season. Enjoy an extraordinary evening of melodies from his Simply Christmas album with jazz renditions of classic Christmas songs, as well as hits from his debut solo album.
Walt Disney Animation Studios: A Decade in Concert
Friday, December 28, 2018, 7:00pm
Saturday, December 29, 2018, 2:00pm
Disney lovers of all generations will experience the most memorable musical moments from favorite Walt Disney Animation Studios films released over the last decade as the SLSO performs the scores live. Enjoy film clips on the big screen as the SLSO performs music from Moana, Tangled, Wreck-It Ralph, and the Academy Award-winning films Frozen and Zootopia.
Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts
Star Wars: A New Hope—In Concert
Thursday, January 24, 2019, 7:00pm
Friday, January 25, 2019, 7:00pm
Saturday, January 26, 2019, 7:00pm
Sunday, January 27, 2019, 2:00pm
Coming to Powell Hall from a galaxy far, far away…the most epic space adventure of all time! Hear John Williams’ iconic Oscar-winning score—from its triumphant opening fanfare to the ethereal Princess Leia theme—performed live by the SLSO together with the full feature film.
Ghostbusters—In Concert
Friday, May 17, 2019, 7:00pm
Saturday, May 18, 2019, 7:00pm
Who ya gonna call? Ghostbusters! A team of scientists become ghostbusters and stumble upon a gateway to another dimension, leading to an attempt to save New York from complete destruction. Join as the SLSO performs Elmer Bernstein’s remarkable score live while Ivan Reitman’s comedic masterpiece plays on the big screen.
Ghostbusters ©1984 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
IN UNISON Concert
The St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus is composed of 120 auditioned singers who perform a variety of musical styles, with a focus on the music of African-American and African cultures. During this performance, the chorus will celebrate its 25th anniversary and perform Gospel Mass, composed by IN UNISON Chorus Founding Director Dr. Robert Ray.
Lift Every Voice: A Black History Month Celebration
Friday, February 22, 2019, 7:30pm
Kevin McBeth, conductor
St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus
IN UNISON Chorus Director Kevin McBeth leads the SLSO and St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus in its annual concert, Lift Every Voice, celebrating African-American culture and music with a soulful celebration of song. This concert is supported by Monsanto Fund.
SLSO Family Concerts
The SLSO performs three programs this season for the Family Series. These Sunday-afternoon concerts are designed with families in mind: a 45-minute concert that features familiar and engaging orchestral music, as well as hands-on activities before the program including the SLSO’s Instrument Playground. This season, the classic tales of Cinderella and Carnival of the Animals will be brought to life. And families can help solve Lemony Snicket’s murder mystery whodunit, The Composer is Dead.
Lemony Snicket's The Composer is Dead
Sunday, October 14, 2018, 3:00pm
Author Lemony Snicket created a murder mystery in the middle of an orchestra. Young music-loving sleuths can help unravel the whodunit The Composer is Dead and learn how all the instruments of the orchestra play their part.
Cinderella
Sunday, February 17, 2019, 3:00pm
The classic Grimm’s Fairy Tale is brought to life with selections from Prokofiev’s vibrant and colorful score.
Carnival of the Animals
Sunday, March 24, 2019, 3:00pm
Saint-Saëns’ enchanting Carnival of the Animals is a beloved favorite for introducing children to classical music. Each movement in this wild menagerie represents a different member of the animal kingdom.
Tickets for these concerts go on sale June 20 and can be purchased at slso.org/tickets or by calling the SLSO Box Office at 314-534-1700. Currently, subscriptions for the 18/19 classical season and Family Concert series tickets are available, with single tickets on sale August 8.
About the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
Celebrated as one of today’s most exciting and enduring orchestras, the SLSO is the second-oldest orchestra in the country, celebrating its 139th year in the 2018/2019 season. Widely considered one of the world’s finest, the SLSO maintains its commitment to artistic excellence, educational impact, and community connections – all in service to its mission of enriching lives through the power of music.
In addition to its regular concert performances at Powell Hall, which has been the permanent home of the SLSO for 50 years, the orchestra is an integral part of the diverse and vibrant St. Louis community, presenting free education programs and performances throughout the region each year. The SLSO presents Live at the Pulitzer, a four-program series at the Pulitzer Arts Foundation. The SLSO also serves as the resident orchestra for Opera Theatre Saint Louis, with the 2019 season marking the 42nd year of a partnership that is unique in the country.
The Grammy Award–winning SLSO’s impact beyond the St. Louis region is realized through weekly Saturday night concert broadcasts on St. Louis Public Radio, celebrated recordings, and regular touring activity. The SLSO is a highly respected collaborator and sought-after artistic partner by some of the world’s greatest musicians and composers, as well as local and national organizations. The SLSO has a long history of robust and enduring collaborations with artists and composers that have developed and deepened over the years.
Today, the SLSO builds on the institution’s current momentum on all fronts, including artistic, financial, audience growth, and community impact, and looks toward the future with Stéphane Denève. Denève, who has been a frequent guest conductor with the orchestra since 2003, begins his tenure as Music Director with the 19/20 season, following next season as Music Director Designate. For more information, visit slso.org.
About the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus
Founded in 1994, the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus is an all-volunteer, 120-voice auditioned ensemble that performs a variety of musical styles, with a focus on the interpretation, performance, and preservation of the music of African-American and African cultures. While chorus members have traditionally come from the IN UNISON Program member churches, they also are teachers, nurses, office workers, students, doctors, and people from many other walks of life. The IN UNISON program has been supported by Monsanto Fund since its inception.
