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St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
Orchestra
Powell Hall home of the St. Louis Symphony
Former name	St. Louis Choral-Symphony Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
Founded	1880; 144 years ago (1880)
Concert hall	Powell Hall
Principal conductor	Stéphane Denève
Website	www.slso.org

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) is an American symphony orchestra based in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1880 by Joseph Otten as the St. Louis Choral Society, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is the second-oldest professional symphony orchestra in the United States, preceded only by the New York Philharmonic. Its principal concert venue is Powell Hall, located in midtown St. Louis.

History

The St. Louis Choral Society performed in the auditorium of the St. Louis Mercantile Library at Locust and Broadway in Downtown St. Louis. During the 1881/82 season the 80-member chorus was joined by an orchestra of 31 members. A disbanded Musical Union joined the group. In 1893, the St. Louis Choral-Symphony was formally incorporated. It remained largely a choral organization through its performances at the 1904 World's Fair under Alfred Ernst when it expanded to a 200-member chorus and an orchestra of 55. Under Max Zach's tenure (1907 to 1921), it changed its name to the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra.

Before moving to its current home in Powell Hall, the SLSO performed for many years at the Kiel Opera House. The orchestra has given concerts regularly at Carnegie Hall and has made overseas tours to Europe and to Japan. The St. Louis Symphony has recorded for the Columbia, RCA Victor, Red Seal, Telarc, Vox/Turnabout, Angel EMI, and Nonesuch labels. It has also issued CD recordings on its own label, Arch Media, and has received seven Grammy Awards and 58 nominations. For Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, the St. Louis Symphony has been the resident orchestra since 1978, divided into two ensembles, each performing two of the operas in the season. Also associated with the orchestra is the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, which was founded in 1977. Its first director was Thomas Peck.

The national prestige of the St. Louis Symphony grew most prominently during the music directorship of Leonard Slatkin, from 1979 to 1996. During his tenure, the orchestra made many recordings for the EMI and RCA Victor labels, and toured to Europe and the Far East, as well as concerts at Carnegie Hall. However, this growth in prestige was not matched by stabilization of long-term finances. In 2000, the SLSO's endowment stood at US$28 million. In 2000, the executive director and President of the SLSO at the time, Don Roth, had secured a US$40 million challenge grant from the Taylor family (owners of privately held Enterprise Rent-A-Car) to help the organization's money situation. However, in that same year, he revealed the situation of severe financial problems with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra finances, which nearly led to the orchestra's bankruptcy in 2001. Roth resigned his position in July 2001, and was succeeded by Randy Adams, a former St. Louis bank executive. Adams embarked on extensive fund-raising efforts in the following years, seeking to enlarge the SLSO's endowment in the process. As part of the budget cuts and cost-saving measures, the musicians agreed to salary cuts over that time, and also a reduction of their 52-week contract to 42 weeks.

Following the departure of Hans Vonk as music director after the 2001-2002 season, Itzhak Perlman served as music adviser to the orchestra from 2002 to 2004. In December 2003, the symphony's board announced David Robertson as the next music director of the orchestra, effective with the 2005/06 season.

In January 2005, a labor dispute led to a cancellation of concerts for two months. Before the musicians could vote on the terms of the new contract, management changed the locks to Powell Hall without notifying them. Auditions were cancelled, and the health insurance for musicians was cancelled without notice as well. Whilst the musicians considered themselves to be 'locked out', management considered this action to be an illegal strike, since the players' attorney, Leonard Leibowitz, had advised them against filing certain documents as required by law. The National Labor Relations Board agreed with management. After a two-month period of negotiations, the musicians agreed to a ten-week reduction from a 52-week season, and 30% wage reductions. Upon returning to the stage, the musicians enacted a "Vote of No Confidence" on Executive Director Randy Adams. Both parties then reached a mutual agreement under which they agreed to refer to the eight-week period as a "Work Stoppage" and the "Vote of No Confidence" was rescinded. In March 2005, the musicians and Adams agreed to a new contract.

From 2005–2018, the SLSO music director was David Robertson. During Robertson's tenure, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra has partnered with St. Louis Public Radio to broadcast its subscription concerts live every Saturday night during its regular season, since the fall of 2010, after the sale of the St. Louis classical radio station KFUO. Robertson conducted the orchestra's first-ever appearance at The Proms in September 2012. In 2013, Robertson's contract was extended through the 2015/16 season, and a further contract extension, announced in March 2014, was through the 2017/18 season. Robertson's tenure as SLSO music director concluded at the end of the 2017/2018 season.

Adams stood-down as the orchestra's president and executive director in June 2007. Fred Bronstein assumed the posts in March 2008. Faced with declining ticket sales and deficits, Bronstein immediately launched an aggressive new revenue plan with audience development at the core of its actions. Bronstein also took steps to broaden and diversify the symphony's programming through popularly oriented programming series such as "Live at Powell Hall". Since 2008, because of new programming and marketing strategies, ticket revenues have grown 39% in the 2012 fiscal year, the highest revenues in over a decade, while seats sold grew by 16% and more than 31,000 new people were added to the customer base, reversing five years of decline. Because of successful audience development initiatives at the core of the plan as well as other revenue progress and strong management of expenses, the structural deficit (whose gaps are funded by additional contributions) has declined 18% from $3.4M in 2007 to $2.8M in 2011, dipping as low as $2.62m in 2010.

Bronstein left the SLSO to head the Peabody Conservatory in the spring of 2014. In February 2015, the SLSO named Marie-Hélène Bernard, then-president of the Handel and Haydn Society as its new president and CEO, effective July 1, 2015.

In 2003, Stéphane Denève first guest-conducted the orchestra. In June 2017, the orchestra named Denève as its next music director, effective with the 2019-2020 season, with an initial contract of three seasons. He held the title of Music Director Designate for the 2018-2019 season. In March 2021, the orchestra announced the extension of Denève's contract as its music director through the 2025-2026 season.

In March 2022, the orchestra announced plans for a renovation of Powell Hall, to begin in 2023. During the scheduled renovation period, the orchestra is to give concerts principally at the Touhill Performing Arts Center of the University of Missouri–St. Louis and at the Stifel Theatre.

Awards

In its 140-year history, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra has earned nine Grammy Awards out of 60 nominations from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra

Leonard Slatkin established the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra in 1970. The orchestra's assistant conductor (known also in the past as resident conductor) also acts as music director of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra. Past St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Assistant Conductors have included Slatkin, Gerhardt Zimmermann, David Loebel, David Amado, Scott Parkman, Ward Stare, Steven Jarvi, and Gemma New. In December 2020, the SLSO announced the appointment of Stephanie Childress as its next assistant conductor and music director of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, effective with the 2021-2022 season. Childress concluded her tenure with the orchestra at the close of the 2022-2023 season. In July 2024, the SLSO announced the appointment of Samuel Hollister as its next assistant conductor and music director of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, effective with the 2024-2025 season.

Chorus ensembles

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra houses two choral ensembles: the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and the IN UNISON Chorus. Founded in 1977 by music director Jerzy Semkow and its first director, Thomas Peck, the St. Louis Symphony Chorus is an orchestral chorus that performs in major concerts throughout each season, usually featured in choral symphonies. Peck served as director of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus until his death in 1994. Amy Kaiser succeeded Peck as director of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, from 1995 to 2022. In February 2024, Erin Freeman made her first appearance as guest chorus director with the SLSO and the St. Louis Symphony Chorus. In July 2024, the SLSO announced the appointment of Freeman as the next director of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, with immediate effect.

The IN UNISON Chorus was established in 1994 by Robert Ray, and performs a variety of musical styles; it primarily focuses on the music of African-American and African cultures, notably gospel music, and partners with several churches in the St. Louis area. The IN UNISON Chorus is currently directed by Kevin McBeth, who is also Director of Music at Manchester United Methodist Church in suburban St. Louis. The ensemble celebrated its 25th anniversary during the 2018/2019 season.

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra also features the Holiday Festival Chorus, consisting of high-school-aged singers from across the St. Louis region, performing at holiday concerts each season.

Music directors

References

1. Hoover, John Neal (Fall 1985). "St. Louis Mercantile Library". Journal of Library History. 20 (4): 440–443. Archived from the original on 2008-07-04. Retrieved 2008-02-21.
2. Silva, Eddie (1 November 2000). "Facing the Music". Riverfront Times. Archived from the original on 1 February 2013. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
3. Silva, Eddie (12 September 2001). "Stop the Music". Riverfront Times. Archived from the original on 1 February 2013. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
4. Miller, Sarah Bryan (2005-01-20). "Symphony strike echoes across US". Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
5. Wakin, Daniel J. (4 January 2005). "Labor Dispute Halts Music in St. Louis". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
6. Wakin, Daniel J. (17 February 2005). "The Silence in St. Louis Is Starting to Hurt". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
7. Mattison, Ben (24 February 2005). "Labor Board Rules St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Strike Is Illegal". Playbill Arts. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
8. Mattison, Ben (25 February 2005). "St. Louis Symphony Management and Musicians Reach Tentative Deal". Playbill Arts. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
9. Mattison, Ben (2 March 2005). "St. Louis Symphony Musicians Approve New Contract, Ending Two-Month Work Stoppage". Playbill Arts. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
10. Gay, Malcolm (24 August 2005). "Unfinished Symphony". Riverfront Times. Archived from the original on 19 November 2005. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
11. Ashley, Tim (2012-09-05). "Prom 71: St Louis Symphony/Robertson". The Guardian. Manchester. Retrieved 2017-06-07.
12. "St. Louis Symphony Announces Contract Extension with Music Director David Robertson through 2017–2018" (Press release). St. Louis Symphony. 4 March 2014. Retrieved 2016-11-06.
13. Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, "SLSO President and Executive Director Randy Adams Announces Resignation". Press release, 20 February 2007.
14. Miller, Sarah Bryan, "Symphony president says he will step aside in June". St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 21 February 2007.
15. Schweitzer, Vivien (22 February 2007). "St. Louis Symphony President Randy Adams Resigns". Playbill Arts. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
16. Sarah Bryan Miller, "SLSO hires new president". St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 15 December 2007.
17. Miller, Sarah Bryan (2015-02-11). "St. Louis Symphony Orchestra names new president and CEO". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved 2016-11-06.
18. "Stéphane Denève Named Music Director of the St. Louis Symphony" (Press release). St. Louis Symphony. 7 June 2017. Retrieved 2017-06-07.
19. Eric Meyer (2021-03-30). "St. Louis Symphony Orchestra extends Denève's contract to 2026". Saint Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved 2021-03-31.
20. "St. Louis Symphony Orchestra announces renovation and expansion plans for its home, Powell Hall" (Press release). St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. 16 March 2022. Retrieved 2024-07-04.
21. "The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Stéphane Denève announce programming for the 2023/2024 season, the orchestra's 144th and Denève's fifth as Music Director" (Press release). St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. 15 February 2023. Retrieved 2024-07-04.
22. Miller, Sarah Bryan (2016-06-02). "SLSO appoints Gemma New as resident conductor". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved 2016-11-06.
23. "The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Stéphane Denève announce appointment of Stephanie Childress as Assistant Conductor" (Press release). St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. 9 December 2020. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
24. "Assistant Conductor Stephanie Childress Reflects on Her Tenure with the SLSO" (Press release). St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
25. "The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Stéphane Denève announce appointment of Samuel Hollister as Assistant Conductor" (PDF) (Press release). St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. 1 July 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-04.
26. "Thomas Peck; Choral Director, 56". The New York Times. 1994-06-10. Retrieved 2024-07-04.
27. "St. Louis Symphony Orchestra celebrates Amy Kaiser and her defining 27-year tenure with her final concerts as St. Louis Symphony Chorus Director, April 30-May 1" (PDF) (Press release). St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. 19 April 2022. Retrieved 2024-07-04.
28. "The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Stéphane Denève announce appointment of Erin Freeman as Director of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus" (PDF) (Press release). St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
29. Salter, Jim (2018-12-24). "St. Louis Symphony's In Unison Chorus begins 25th year". AP NEWS. Retrieved 2019-07-08.

External links

Media related to St. Louis Symphony Orchestra at Wikimedia Commons

• Official website
• Cooperman, Jeanette Batz (28 July 2006). "Brilliant Overtures". St. Louis Magazine. Archived from the original on November 18, 2006.
• Ross, Alex (5 December 2005). "The Evangelist". The New Yorker.
• BBC h2g2 page on the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
• Past Music Directors, St. Louis Symphony

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