2008 Woodie Awards
Sound Check: 1, 2, 3
Katie Gregowicz
Issue date: 9/20/07 Section: A&E
The audience at Powell Symphony Hall is usually decked out in evening gowns and tuxedos, but Thursday's night's crowd may be partial to jeans and running shoes.
After all, college students tend to be a bit strapped for cash.
Knowing this, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is hosting Sound Check, a student-only sneak preview of their 2007-2008 Opening Weekend Concert, costing only $10. Sound Check will start at 7 p.m. at Powell Symphony Hall.
Dianne Darwin, who works at the St. Louis Symphony, said only people 16 to 25 years old are invited to this performance. She said music director David Robertson introduced Sound Check three years ago to attract young people to this type of music.
According to Darwin, the purpose of Robertson's idea was for students to "see this concert at a reasonable price among their peers."
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra concerts usually range in price from $15 to $105, and at usual concerts, Darwin said she sees audience members "all dolled up in mink stole outfits and tuxedos." On Thursday, the audience can wear casual clothes.
"It's a great way to feel comfortable in this atmosphere," Darwin said, "and there are no assigned seats, so you can sit with your friends."
Allison Wamser, a junior majoring in music education and a member of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, plans to attend Sound Check for the second time. She said she likes that the concert is "less formal than normal."
"Usually during a performance, the pieces are played, and there is not much talking, but last year David Robertson turned around between pieces and talked to the audience," Wamser said. "The music is amazing."
Gary Smith, a recently retired trumpet player for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, recommends going to the concert.
"These musicians are professionals," Smith said, "and David Robertson is an absolute charmer. This is an opportunity to learn about music and how it gets done."
Smith is also the vice president of the Music Union of St. Louis.
After all, college students tend to be a bit strapped for cash.
Knowing this, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is hosting Sound Check, a student-only sneak preview of their 2007-2008 Opening Weekend Concert, costing only $10. Sound Check will start at 7 p.m. at Powell Symphony Hall.
Dianne Darwin, who works at the St. Louis Symphony, said only people 16 to 25 years old are invited to this performance. She said music director David Robertson introduced Sound Check three years ago to attract young people to this type of music.
According to Darwin, the purpose of Robertson's idea was for students to "see this concert at a reasonable price among their peers."
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra concerts usually range in price from $15 to $105, and at usual concerts, Darwin said she sees audience members "all dolled up in mink stole outfits and tuxedos." On Thursday, the audience can wear casual clothes.
"It's a great way to feel comfortable in this atmosphere," Darwin said, "and there are no assigned seats, so you can sit with your friends."
Allison Wamser, a junior majoring in music education and a member of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, plans to attend Sound Check for the second time. She said she likes that the concert is "less formal than normal."
"Usually during a performance, the pieces are played, and there is not much talking, but last year David Robertson turned around between pieces and talked to the audience," Wamser said. "The music is amazing."
Gary Smith, a recently retired trumpet player for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, recommends going to the concert.
"These musicians are professionals," Smith said, "and David Robertson is an absolute charmer. This is an opportunity to learn about music and how it gets done."
Smith is also the vice president of the Music Union of St. Louis.
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