The St. Louis Civic Orchestra is excited to announce its third season of concerts under the baton of Artistic Director and Conductor, Dr. Barry Ford, and Assistant Conductor, Asher Harris. Comprising talented musicians from various walks of life, the Civic offers outstanding performances that inspire and engage audiences of all ages. The St. Louis Civic Orchestra is committed to promoting musical education, fostering artistic growth, and providing an inclusive platform for musicians to share their passion and talent with the community.
All concerts in the 2025-2026 season are free to attend in our continued effort to make the arts accessible and availble to all.
The season begins on October 25, 2025, at the Lee Theater in the Touhill Performing Arts Center on the campus of the University of Missouri St. Louis. The program will feature a captivating lineup, including Dvorak’s Carnival Overture, Respighi‘s Boutique Fantastique, and features the United States premier of the Theodorakis Rhapsody for Trumpet and Orchestra.
The orchestra’s second concert will take place on December 6, 2025, at Ritenour High School in Overland. Audiences will be treated to a memorable evening, showcasing dancing to excerpts from Tchaikovsky‘s Nutcracker ballet, Holst‘s Somerset Rhapsody, Symphonic Dances from Fiddler on the Roof, and a delightful selection of holiday music.
The St. Louis Civic Orchestra will then captivate audiences on February 28, 2026, at the First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood. This concert will include Charles Ives‘ Unanswered Question, Copland‘s Our Town, Rautavaara‘s Cantus Arcticus (Concerto for Birds and Orchestra), and Grofe‘s Grand Canyon Suite.
On April 11, 2026, the Civic holds its fourth concert, featuring the winner(s) of the annual Florence Frager Young Artist Concerto Competition Competition, in addition to Shostakovich‘s lively Festive Overture, Danse Bacchanale by Camille Saint Saens, and Ravel‘s Mother Goose Suite. The competition to determine the winner(s) and piece(s) performed will be held in November 2025. Applications will be posted in the fall.
To conclude the 76th season, the orchestra will present their final concert on May 16, 2026, at Norm Myers Park in conjunction with the City of Overland’s Overland Day Celebration and Parade. The program promises a grand finale with repertoire details announced in the near future.
For more information about the St. Louis Civic Orchestra, including performances in the 2025-2026 season, please visit www.stlco.org.
Concert #1: Saturday, October 25, 2025 – 7:00pm (Lee Theater at Touhill Performing Arts Center (UMSL))
- Dvorak – Carnival Overture
- Respighi – Boutique Fantasque
- Theodorakis – Rhapsody for Trumpet and Orchestra
Concert #2: Saturday, December 6, 2025 – 7:00pm (Ritenour High School)
- Tchaikovsky – Nutcracker excerpts (with live dancers)
- Holst – Somerset Rhapsody
- Symphonic Dances from Fiddler on the Roof (Composers: Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick, Arr. Ira Hearshen)
- Christmas and Holiday Favorites
Concert #3: Saturday, February 28, 2026 7:00pm (First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood)
- Ives – Unanswered Question
- Copland – Our Town
- Rautavaara – Cantus Arcticus (Concerto for Birds & Orchestra)
- Grofe – Grand Canyon Suite
Concert #4: Saturday, April 11, 2026 7:00pm (First Presbyterian in Kirkwood)
- Concerto(s) by Florence Frager Young Artist Competition Winner(s)
- Shostakovich – Festive Overture
- Saint- Saëns – Danse Bacchanale
- Ravel – Mother Goose Suite
Concert #5: Saturday, May 16, 2026 – Mid-Day – Time TBD – in conjunction with the Overland Day Celebration at Norm Myers Park (Overland, MO)
- Repertoire TBA
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