The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra shares Songs of America, musical portraits to showcase the spirit that makes St. Louis unique and to allow the community to connect through music during these challenging times. The project strives to inspire dialogue and celebrate the many voices in music, a bedrock of Stéphane Denève's Music Directorship and the foundation of the SLSO's 2020/2021 classical season.
Part 1 (June 29): "America the Beautiful"
Lyrics by Katharine Lee Bates/Music by Samuel Ward
Arranged by Adam Maness
Featuring Malena Smith, vocals
Filmed at the Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park in East St. Louis
Part 2 (June 30): "The Easy Winners"
By Scott Joplin
Arranged by Kenneth Abeling
Filmed at the Scott Joplin House State Historic Site in St. Louis
Part 3 (July 1): Lyric for Strings
By George Walker
Conducted by Gemma New
Filmed at the Soldiers Memorial Military Museum in St. Louis
Part 4 (July 2): "A Change Is Gonna Come"
By Sam Cooke
Featuring Brian Owens, vocals, and The 442s
Filmed at Kiener Plaza Park in St. Louis
Part 5 (July 3): "St. Louis Blues"
By W.C. Handy
Arranged by Brian Holland
Featuring Stéphane Denève, piano
Part 6 (July 4): "Amazing Grace"
Arranged by Adam Maness
Featuring Kennedy Holmes, vocals
Filmed at the First Baptist Church-St. Louis
Part 7 (August 8): "Anchors Aweigh"
By Charles A. Zimmerman
Filmed for the commissioning of USS ST LOUIS
Part 8 (August 28): "Deep River"
Traditional Spiritual, arr. Michael Casimir
Released in honor of the anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington
Special thanks to the Centene Charitable Foundation, the Steward Family Foundation, and World Wide Technology for their support of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.