Express the Music
Express the Music is a free, cross-curricular competition that integrates creative writing into English language arts and fine arts curriculums. Celebrating over 20 years in existence, Express the Music invites students in grades 6-12 to discover a new orchestral work and respond with prose or poetry inspired by the music. This year's music selection is Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade.
Celebrate our 2020 Express the Music Finalists!
This season, more than 2,000 students from 42 schools across the bi-state area participated in Express the Music. 476 compositions were submitted by teachers to the writing competition, and from this group 47 finalists were selected.
As of March 12, 2020 the City of St Louis has declared a public health emergency and are prohibiting events in excess of 1,000 people until further notice.
Out of concern for the safety of our patrons, musicians, and staff, and to reduce the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is canceling the Youth Orchestra concert and Express the Music Awards on Sunday, March 15.
We are making our best efforts to reschedule the event, but do not have further details at this time.
Last season's winners:
Click on the each winner's name to view their entry.
Prose (Junior Division):
First place: Olivia Gentilini, 8th grade, LaSalle Springs Middle School
Second place: Melanie Migneco, 6th grade, Truman Middle School
Third place: Ava Brouster, 8th grade, Villa Duchesne
Prose (Senior Division):
First place: Mary Therese Capps, junior, Villa Duchesne
Second place: Rachel Ruddy, junior, Villa Duchesne
Third place: Mahtab Chaudry, senior, Parkway South High School
Poetry (Junior Division):
First place: Andrew Nehre, 6th grade, Gateway Science Academy Middle School
Second place: Alexandre Snyder, 8th grade, Wydown Middle School
Third place: Lilian Work, 8th grade, St. Mary Magdalen
Poetry (Senior Division):
First place: Addison Gherardini, senior, Nerinx Hall
Second place: Rachel Solverud, junior, Nerinx Hall
Third place: Emma Just, senior, Francis Howell High School
