THE SAINT LOUIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
ANNOUNCES ITS EXCITING SELECTION OF HOLIDAY CONCERTS

	Ranging from gospel to pops to classical, the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra's holiday concerts offer something for every musical taste.  "Attending a holiday concert at Powell Symphony Hall has become a festive family tradition for St. Louis area residents," remarked Stephen Duncan, Director of Marketing.   "People begin calling the box office at the end of summer to ask what is scheduled, so they can begin making plans."

	The first of the holiday-inspired concerts, "Christmas Surprise," features outstanding conductor Nicholas McGegan leading the orchestra in classical music at 8:00 p.m. Friday, December 6, and Saturday, December 7.  Corelli's beautiful Concerto Grosso in G minor "Christmas Concerto," Bach's Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, and several pieces by Vivaldi including "Il Riposo," Laudate pueri, Flute Concerto in G and the Concerto for Two Trumpets will be performed in these magical concerts.  Soprano Christine Brandes will make a special appearance and soloists from the orchestra, including Mark Sparks, flute, Susan Slaughter, trumpet, Heidi Harris, violin, and Thomas Drake, trumpet, will be featured.  Tickets range in price from $10 to $91.

	In one performance only, at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 8, the Saint Louis Symphony Chorus joins the Orchestra in presenting Handel's glorious Messiah, conducted by Amy Kaiser.  This masterpiece sounds magnificent in the acoustically superb Powell Symphony Hall.  Tickets range from $15 to $60.

	It just wouldn't be the holidays at Powell Symphony Hall without the inimitable Richard Hayman conducting the annual Holiday Pops Thursday, December 12, through Sunday, December 22.  The King of Pops returns to lead the Orchestra, accompanied by The Metro Singers, with Broadway stars (and St. Louis natives) Christina Saffran Ashford and Ken Page.  Enjoy traditional holiday favorites including Winter Wonderland, Ave Maria, Oh Holy Night, We Need a Little Christmas, and an audience sing-along!  Holiday Pops concerts are: 2:00 p.m. on December 12, 14, 21, and 22; 10:30 a.m. on December 13 (Krispy Kreme Coffee Concert); and 7:30 p.m. on December 13, 14, 20, and 21.  Tickets range from $15 to $60.
   
	Deck the halls with the sounds of gospel 7:30 p.m. Sunday, December 15.  The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra and the IN UNISON® Chorus, led by Robert Ray, present the eighth annual Gospel Christmas concert.   Special guests are the award winning Kurt Carr Singers.  With four CDs to their credit, The Kurt Carr Singers are hailed as contemporary gospel's "most electrifying group."  Tickets range from $15 to $60.  

	All concerts take place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 N. Grand Boulevard (at Delmar) in Grand Center.  Tickets are available at the Powell Symphony Hall Box Office, by telephone at (314) 534-1700 and online at www.slso.org.  Special rates are available to groups of 20 or more by calling (314) 286-4126.