For many teens, music is constant: streaming through headphones while doing homework, the soundtrack for car rides, filling the background of daily life. Rarely do they get the chance to simply sit and listen, though.
The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is aiming to change that through a new initiative designed for ages 12–18, culminating in its inaugural Concert for Teens, Cinematic Symphony, on April 26 at Powell Hall.
“We like to think we have programming for everybody, but this was a key demographic that was missing,” says Jessica Ingraham, SLSO’s senior director of education. “Teenagers are at a pivotal moment where they begin developing their own musical tastes and exploring their identity. Orchestral music, with its intensity and emotional depth, aligns really well with that stage of life.”
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The concert leans into a powerful gateway for young listeners: film music. Featuring works by composers such as John Williams, Joe Hisaishi, and Dmitri Shostakovich, Cinematic Symphony blends familiar movie scores with traditional orchestral repertoire. The goal is to help teens understand how music shapes emotion, both on screen and in the concert hall.
“Film music works because it’s tied to something visual,” Ingraham explains. “There’s already a storyline guiding how you feel. But when you take that away and just listen, it opens the door for imagination and deeper engagement.”
That shift—from passive to active listening—is central to the experience. The concert is structured as a kind of guided tour, breaking down how composers use musical tools to evoke emotion. For example, audiences will explore how a solo instrument functions similar to a cinematic close-up, creating intimacy and focus.
Beyond the stage, SLSO is expanding teen engagement through programs such as Express the Music, a newly revamped initiative that invites students to respond creatively to live performances. Instead of a traditional competition, the program now showcases a curated selection of student work, ranging from writing to visual art, that highlight diverse perspectives across the St. Louis region.
“We wanted more student voices to be heard,” Ingraham says. “Some of the work is incredibly raw and powerful. It’s about giving teens a platform, not judging them.”
At its core, the teen-focused programming is about more than building future audiences; it’s about offering young people a meaningful outlet. With Cinematic Symphony, the SLSO is not only introducing teens to orchestral music, but also inviting them to see themselves in it.
“Music helps us process complex emotions, connect with others, and even escape when we need to,” Ingraham says. “That emotional awareness is what we hope teens take with them.”
