Orchestra

St. Louis Symphony will again split its concerts among several venues in its 2024-25 season, including the Stifel Theatre. Programs will include three world premieres and 20 pieces that the orchestra has never before performed.

Robert Hart Baker, music and artistic director for Belleville Philharmonic Society, told board members in September that he needed to take a leave of absence due to kidney-related problems. By November, the 69-year-old died.

An East St. Louis music teacher, named Art Educator of the Year by the Arts and Education Council of St. Louis, is making stringed instruments and classical music accessible to all.

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra finished its fiscal year with a balanced budget but reported a $3.2 million loss in earned revenues due to canceled or postponed shows. SLSO President and CEO Marie-Hélène Bernard said staff furloughs and salary cuts will continue.

For about a year, Darwin Aquino has been serving as conductor of the orchestras at both the University of Missouri-St. Louis and Washington University.…