Mission
Celebrating Shared Experience Through the Power of Symphonic Music.
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.
History
The Saint Joseph Symphony has been a cornerstone of Northwest Missouri’s cultural life for more than six decades. While St. Joseph’s musical roots stretch back to the 1800s—when bands, orchestras, and philharmonic ensembles regularly performed in the city—the modern Saint Joseph Symphony was officially organized in 1959 as a community orchestra under its first music director, Richard Cormier. Over the years, the orchestra grew steadily in artistic quality and regional influence, becoming a fully professional orchestra by the mid-1980s. Today, its musicians come from throughout Missouri and Kansas, bringing world-class performances to audiences in the historic Missouri Theater.
The Symphony’s home, the Missouri Theater, is itself a treasure of St. Joseph history. Built in 1927 as a Paramount movie palace, the theater provides a magnificent setting for the orchestra’s classical, pops, holiday, chamber, and educational concerts. The organization’s mission is simple yet powerful: to celebrate shared experiences through the power of symphonic music while enriching the cultural life of the region.
Since 2021, the Saint Joseph Symphony has been led artistically by Music Director and Conductor Dr. Christopher Kelts. A nationally recognized conductor, educator, and violist, Kelts serves as Director of Orchestras at the UMKC Conservatory and has brought fresh energy, innovative programming, and a strong commitment to community engagement to the Symphony. Under his leadership, audiences have enjoyed imaginative concerts that connect great music with compelling stories and themes.
The Symphony is guided administratively by Executive Director Nancy Schmidt-Brunson, a St. Joseph native whose experience has spanned a professional singing career, classical radio, Hollywood artist management, and arts administration across the country. Returning to her hometown in 2024, she now leads the organization’s strategic, fundraising, and community initiatives while helping to strengthen the Symphony’s role as a vital cultural institution in Northwest Missouri.
Today, the Saint Joseph Symphony continues to honor its rich heritage while looking boldly toward the future, inspiring audiences of all ages through exceptional live performances, music education programs, and a commitment to making symphonic music accessible and meaningful for the entire community.
