The St. Louis Civic Orchestra is thrilled to announce the appointment of Asher Harris as its new Assistant Conductor. A native of St. Louis and a highly accomplished musician, Asher brings a wealth of experience, talent, and creativity to the orchestra, promising an exciting new chapter for both the ensemble and the community.
Asher Harris holds a Bachelor of Music in Clarinet Performance from the University of Michigan where he graduated in 2021. During his studies, Asher studied with distinguished clarinetists such as Scott Andrews, Dan Gilbert, and Chad Burrow. His impressive resume includes performances with the Missouri All-State Orchestra, the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, and the Eastern Music Festival Orchestra where he won the concerto competition and performed the Copland Clarinet Concerto. His connection to the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is deepened through his time at the Chautauqua Music Festival where he studied with Diana Haskell, the SLSO’s Associate Principal Clarinetist.
Beyond his clarinet performance, Asher is also an emerging conductor with training under renowned conductors like Steven Jarvi, Gemma New, Michael Haithcock, and Leonard Slatkin. His experience is broad and distinguished, including his work as a conducting assistant and artistic advisor to Stephen Lord at Michigan Opera Theatre and his leadership in conducting the original 1944 version of Copland’s Appalachian Spring at the Sheldon Concert Hall, featuring members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
Asher’s talents extend beyond the concert hall. He is an experienced chamber and jazz musician, composer, and sound designer whose works have been showcased in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, Michigan. His passion for education is evident through his teaching, whether in private lessons, volunteer work, or through developing innovative classroom curricula.
As Assistant Conductor, Asher will work closely with Artistic Director Dr. Barry Ford and the orchestra’s leadership and musicians, contributing to both the artistic and educational missions of the St. Louis Civic Orchestra. His approach and artistic vision will help shape the orchestra’s future while continuing to nurture the city’s rich musical tradition.
“I’m excited to welcome Asher to our St. Louis Civic Orchestra family,” commented Dr. Ford. “He is a remarkable talent, and I believe his enthusiasm and dedication will be contagious. I eagerly look forward to seeing how he will contribute to our artistic vision and enhance our performances. I am confident that Asher will play a pivotal role in our continued musical success and growth.”
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Asher Harris to the St. Louis Civic Orchestra,” said Board President Colin Lovett. “His deep roots in the St. Louis musical community, combined with his accomplishments as a performer, conductor, and educator, make him a perfect fit for our organization. We look forward to seeing his impact on our musicians and audiences alike.”
The St. Louis Civic Orchestra extends a warm welcome to Asher Harris and looks forward to his contributions to the vibrant cultural landscape of the city.
For more information about the St. Louis Civic Orchestra, including performances in the 2024-2025 season, please visit www.stlco.org.
Concert #1: October 26, 2024, at 7:00 PM Saint Saëns, Grieg, and Thompson
First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood
100 E Adams Avenue
Kirkwood, MO 63122
- Hans Bridger-Heruth – Untitled NEW Work
- Camille Saint Saëns – Danse Macabre
- Edward Grieg – Peer Gynt Suite No. 1
- Randall Thompson – Symphony No. 2
Concert #2: Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 7:00 PM Bach, Faure, Gould, Reed, Anderson, Korngold, and Holiday Favorites
Ritenour High School Auditorium
9100 St. Charles Rock Road
St. Louis, MO 63114
- Johann Sebastian Bach – Brandenberg Concerto No. 1
- Gabriel Faure – Pavane
- Morton Gould – Symphonette No. 2: Pavanne
- Leroy Anderson – Clarinet Candy, The Typewriter, Sleighride
- Erich Korngold – Kings Row
- Holiday Favorites
Concert #3: Saturday February 22, 2025 at 7:00 PM John Cheetham, Don Gillis, Aaron Copland
The Sun Theater
3625 Grandel Square
St. Louis, MO 63108
- John Cheetham, Missouri composer – Overture at the 35th Parallel
- Don Gillis, Missouri composer – Symphony No. 5 1/2
- Aaron Copland – Tenderland Suite
Concert #4: Friday, April 11, 2025, at 7:00 PM Bizet and Florence Frager Young Artist Competition Winner(s)
Washington University 560 Music Center
560 Trinity Ave
University City, MO 63130
- TBD Overture
- TBD Concerto(s) performed by the winners of the Florence Frager Young Artist Competition
- Georges Bizet – Symphony No. 1
Concert #5: Saturday, May 10, 2025 Return of the Annual Pops Concert
First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood
100 E Adams Avenue
Kirkwood, MO 63122
- Morton Gould – American Salute
- Amilcare Ponchielli – Dance of the Hours
- Johann Strauss – Radetzky March
- arr. Lowden – Armed Forces Salute
- John Philip Souza – Stars & Stripes Forever
- Elmer Bernstein – Magnificent Seven Symphonic Suite
- Leonard Bernstein, arr. Mason – West Side Story Suite No. 1
- Leonard Bernstein Slava! A Political Overture
About St. Louis Civic Orchestra:
The St. Louis Civic Orchestra is a premier community orchestra dedicated to enriching the cultural landscape of St. Louis through the power of symphonic music. Comprising talented musicians from various walks of life, the orchestra collaborates with well-known conductors and soloists, offering 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.
