Celebrated as one of today’s most exciting and enduring orchestras, the Grammy Award-winning St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is the second-oldest orchestra in the country, marking its 142nd year with the 2021–2022 season and its third with music director Stéphane Denève. Widely considered one of the world’s finest orchestras, 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.

Their Bloomington performance will include James Lee III’s Chupshah! Harriet’s Drive to Canaan, George Gershwin’s Concerto in F, and Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 3. The program will feature pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, who has performed worldwide, recorded more than 50 albums earning two Grammy nominations, and built a reputation as one of today’s finest pianists.

Twice last year, members of the SLSO brass sections performed live on the IU campus at Prebys Amphitheater as part of the campus’ Open Air Venues initiative. The musicians also led masterclasses during their visits with students from the Jacobs School of Music. Next spring, the entire orchestra will also lead a residency with Jacobs students.

Bloomington Residency (Click Here for Complete Residency Schedule)

During their stay, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra will administer an immersive educational experience with students from the IU Jacobs School of Music . Orchestra members and Jacobs faculty will collaborate to offer a robust residency including a wide variety of masterclasses for students studying cello, viola, horn, trombone, flute, clarinet, tuba, trumpet, double bass, violin, oboe, bassoon, timpani, percussion, and harp. In addition, members of the SLSO will be participating in a variety of outreach activities not only involving the Jacobs School of Music, but other campus units and departments as well as local elementary schools.