Key Biographies

David Robertson

Music Director

American conductor David Robertson is highly acclaimed worldwide for his impeccable musicianship, exhilarating presence and innovative programming,  which continue to inspire and enthrall audiences and fellow musicians alike.  Equally at home in both orchestral and operatic realms, Robertson’s combination of passion and intellect have established him as a leading interpreter of both the standard classical repertoire as well as less traditional works of our time.  Fall 2008 finds Mr. Robertson embarking on his fourth season as Music Director of the 129-year-old St. Louis Symphony, while continuing as Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, a post to which he was appointed in 2005...  (read more)

Fred Bronstein

St. Louis Symphony President and Executive Director

Fred Bronstein assumed the role of president and executive director, now president and CEO, of the St. Louis Symphony in March 2008.  Faced upon his arrival with a 23% decline in ticket revenues over five years and a 25% decline in repeatable annual contributed revenues over a similar period resulting in annual structural deficits of nearly $3.5 million, Bronstein took immediate action to launch development of an aggressive new revenue plan with audience development at the core of its actions. Launched in June 2008, Building Our Business takes a proactive, two-pronged approach: build audiences and re-invigorate the STL Symphony brand making the STL Symphony and Powell Hall the place to be; and build the base for enhanced institutional commitment and donations....  (read more)

Ward Stare

Resident Conductor and Music Director of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra (SLSYO)

Described as “a compelling figure on the podium” and “one of the hottest young conductors in America” by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Ward Stare is currently the Resident Conductor of the St. Louis Symphony—a position created for him in the fall of 2008 by Music Director David Robertson—and concurrently acts as Music Director of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra. In April 2009, Stare made his highly successful Carnegie Hall debut with the SLSO, stepping in at the last minute to conduct while Robertson made his debut as chansonnier in H.K. Gruber’s Frankenstein!!...(read more)