St. Louis Symphony kicked off 145th season with concert at Forest Park

ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra kicked off it's 145th season this week with its annual outdoor concert at Forest Park.

As the symphony kicks off it's 145th season, it will mark the second year that the symphony will be away from it's longtime home at Powell Hall.

Powell Hall has been going through a two-year renovation that will transform every aspect of audience and artist experience and position the venue as a community music center for future generations.

"Powell Hall is going to turn 100-years-old next year, so it's a old building, it's a building that's been listed on the National Register of Historic Places," said Eric Dundon, Public Relations Director for the symphony. "What the project does is renovate and preserve this icon of the city. We're keeping everything that you love, from the beautiful chandeliers, the red velvet, wonderful acoustic, that's all going to stay the same."

"What the project does is add 64,000 square feet of space to the south and east of the existing hall and that will add audience service, a new lobby, more gathering spaces and very particular for women-- almost double the amount of restroom stalls."

The renovations forced the orchestra to use several different venues for the past year, the group will do the same this season.

Jennifer Humphreys, a cellist in the St. Louis Symphony, says from her perspective the transition has gone so far smoothly.

"I think it's been going extremely well, it's been a real privilege actually to be able to play in these different venues, to get to know a different acoustic" said Humphreys on Total Information A.M. "I think it has made us a better ensemble to hear each other in different acoustical spaces and to be closer to some of our audience members that live in different parts of the city."

Tickets for upcoming concerts can be purchased on their website .