The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and The Fabulous Fox are teaming up for a pay-what-you-wish performance featuring Grammy-winning gospel legend BeBe Winans at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 29.
SLSO Music Director Stéphane Denève and IN UNISON Chorus Director Kevin McBeth will lead the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra alongside members of the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus and the St. Louis Symphony Chorus. Winans will join the orchestra and choruses for this community-centered special event that will be held at The Fabulous Fox.
“Music has the unique ability to provide comfort and healing, and build bridges between communities,” said Marie-Hélène Bernard, SLSO President and CEO. “This special concert honors and assists our friends and neighbors in need, while supporting the vital work of the Urban League in the aftermath of the May 16 tornado. The effort fortifies years of collaboration with the Urban League to uplift the community. We’re grateful to Fabulous Fox for opening its doors to the community for this event.”
All funds raised will benefit the Urban League and support the most immediate needs of people displaced or impacted in north St. Louis, including:
· Large-scale food distribution
· Temporary hotel housing
· Necessities such as toiletries and personal care items
· Emergency building supplies
“The Urban League is incredibly proud to partner once again with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the Fabulous Fox for our neighbors in need who have suffered tragic losses from the recent tornado,” said Michael P. McMillan, President and CEO of The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. “All of the proceeds from this amazing afternoon of music will go to our Disaster Relief Fund, providing much needed assistance to our community.”
Funds will also support partner churches affected by the tornado in the SLSO’s IN UNISON program, which has connected congregations primarily in north St. Louis to the orchestra for more than 30 years.
Nine of the SLSO’s partner churches sustained damage from the tornado. Patricia Penelton, a charter member of IN UNISON Chorus, tragically passed away in the collapse of the Centennial Church on May 16. The program includes music of reflection, hope, and resilience in a performance that celebrates Penelton’s great life, and partner institutions’ enduring community bonds and a shared commitment to help neighbors recover, rebuild, and heal.
“We are honored to collaborate with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra to host this special benefit concert at The Fabulous Fox,” said Jeff Antrainer, The Fabulous Fox President & CFO. “In the wake of the recent tornadoes that have impacted our community, it’s imperative that we come together to support those affected. Partnering with the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis allows us to directly contribute to the relief efforts and aid in the recovery process. We hope this event will not only raise essential funds but also uplift the spirits of our neighbors during this challenging time.”
Pay-what-you-wish general admission tickets are available now at SLSO.org. Donations can be made directly to the Urban League’s Disaster Relief Fund at its website.