A Symphony made for St. Joseph
Professional music for an uncommon community that makes room for everyone.
Vision
The Saint Joseph Symphony is committed to providing the best possible symphonic music by professional musicians for the people of St. Joseph and the surrounding region. We play a leadership role in the arts community to foster a healthy cultural climate and make our region an attractive area in which to live. We provide musical opportunities to educate and motivate area residents of all ages to actively participate in music as a musician or concert-goer. We encourage volunteerism and broad-based financial support to involve the widest possible audience in the creation and enjoyment of symphonic music.
Our history
Although its roots go back over 100 years, the Saint Joseph Symphony began as a community orchestra in 1959 and became fully professional by the mid-1980s. Today, we give professional musicians from Missouri and Kansas the opportunity to make a living bringing powerful music to St. Joseph and the surrounding region.
Staff
Nancy Schmidt-Brunson, Executive Director
Allison Hayes, Office Administrator
Jenyl Hart, Payroll Manager
Frank Polleck, Stage Manager
Dr. Christopher Kelts, Music Director and Conductor
Rob Patterson, Orchestra Personnel Manager
Noel Good, Orchestra Librarian
Board of Directors
Officers
Matthew Younger, President
Megan S. Wyeth, Vice President
Lori Boyer, Treasurer
Becky Alvarez, Secretary
Board members
Connie Brock
Paul Dease
Lorrie Dixon
Diana Anatole
Jeremy Peters
Eric Shaiffer
Debra Waller Van Meter
Honorary leadership
Donna Jean Boyer, Honorary Fundraising Chair for the 2026 Symphony Fund
Jan Mehl, Honorary Advisory Board