As the second-oldest professional orchestra in the United States, the St. Louis Symphony has been turning out thrilling classical performances and events since it was founded in 1880. Conceived by Joseph Otten as the St. Louis Choral Society, the ensemble first performed at the St. Louis Mercantile Library in 1881 and 1882 with an 80-member chorus and a 31-member orchestra. Further integrating a few years later, they became the St. Louis Choral-Symphony.

The ensemble thrived, performing at the 1904 World's Fair under conductor Alfred Ernst. The music was mostly choral for a few decades, until the group became the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra under the reign of conductor Max Zach. During this time, they played in the Kiel Opera House; eventually, they moved into Powell Hall, which was opened in 1925 and seats just under 2,700. The orchestra further flourished under the leadership of conductor Leonard Slatkin, who acted as music director from 1979 until 1996. While he headed the orchestra, they recorded extensively, toured Europe and Asia, and even played at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

The St. Louis Symphony faced financial difficulties in the early ‘00s, but after fundraising efforts from a new president as well as some salary and budget cuts across the organization, they worked it out. Following a short tenure from conductor Hans Vonk and a multiyear advisorship from Itzhak Perlman, the orchestra hired conductor David Robertson. Robertson would prove to be a major proponent of new music, premiering and recording many works by contemporary composers like John Adams and Thomas Adès.

The orchestra has recorded for Columbia, RCA Victor, Telarc and Nonesuch. They have won seven Grammys and were nominated for 58. Their home venue continues to be the landmark Powell Symphony Hall in the center of St. Louis, and their concert season runs through May.