Program Type: Concert

Join us for a luminous evening of festive soul as the WCHOF Music Series celebrates the spirit of the season. Featuring the incomparable Brian Owens and a special guest, this concert is an essential cultural event for music lovers and a highlight of the Saint Louis concerts calendar.

The performance takes place at the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries, a unique Saint Louis museum and art gallery that offers an unforgettable atmosphere where strategic games meet sonic masterpieces.

The Program: A Soulful Holiday Celebration

Experience a journey through seasonal warmth and rhythmic grace with:

• Traditional Carols (Reimagined): Timeless melodies infused with the heart of modern soul.
• Holiday Favorites: A curated selection of classics showcasing the heart of Saint Louis soul.

The Performers: Brian Owens & Friends

This exceptional evening features world-class musicians led by the acclaimed Brian Owens. WCHOF Music Director Brian Owens has curated this exceptional program, selecting pieces that reflect the mission of the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries to celebrate the intersection of art, culture, and high strategy. The ensemble will bring vibrant and emotive depth to these cornerstone holiday works.Arianna String Quartet is currently celebrating 30 years of music-making and remains in demand globally.

Thematic Connection: Harmony and Strategy

Just as a Grandmaster finds beauty in the perfect alignment of pieces, Brian Owens discovers harmony in the blending of gospel roots and classic soul. This performance bridges the gap between the intellectual rigor of the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries and the raw emotional power of the holiday season, proving that both strategy and song require a masterful touch.

Venue, Tickets, and Full Schedule

Experience this concert surrounded by our incredible permanent and rotating art exhibitions and history exhibits.

Full Evening Schedule:

• 5:30 PM: Doors Open (Cash bar available)
• 6:00 PM: Artist Talk with WCHOF Music Director Brian Owens
• 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Concert Performance

Details:

• Venue: World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries
• Tickets: $25 General Admission, $20 WCHOF Members.
• Note: Each ticket includes one complimentary drink ticket.
• Seating is extremely limited for this intimate performance held inside our gallery, offering a rare, up-close listening experience.

Can’t make it to the concert? Be sure to watch the livestream on the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries’ YouTube channel.

Join us for a celebratory evening of classical music as the WCHOF Music Series celebrates the triumphant conclusion of its 2026 season. Featuring musicians from the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO), this concert is an essential cultural event for music lovers and a highlight of the Saint Louis concerts calendar.

The performance takes place at the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries, a unique Saint Louis museum and art gallery that offers an unforgettable atmosphere where strategic games meet sonic masterpieces.

The Program: A Hollywood Finish

Experience a journey through the late Romantic tradition and the birth of cinematic sound with:

• Piano Quintet in E Major, Op. 15 (1921): Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s masterpiece is defined by showstopping virtuosity and soaring melodies that reflect the opulence of the Golden Age
• Powerful selections from the world of film scores, seamlessly bridging the gap between classical idioms and narrative impact

The Performers: Collaborative Excellence

This exceptional evening features five world-class performers, including premier SLSO talent. WCHOF Music Director Brian Woods has curated this exceptional program, selecting pieces that reflect the mission of the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries to celebrate the intersection of art, culture, and high strategy. The ensemble will bring technical brilliance and emotional depth to these cornerstone works.

Thematic Connection: From Prodigy to Premiere

Before becoming a legendary film composer, Korngold was an Austrian prodigy praised by Richard Strauss. Much like a grandmaster calculating a complex endgame, Korngold’s Quintet requires intense focus and strategic precision to navigate its notoriously difficult passages, making the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries the perfect stage for such a triumphant finale.

Venue, Tickets, and Full Schedule

Experience this concert surrounded by our incredible permanent and rotating art exhibitions and history exhibits.

Full Evening Schedule:

• 5:30 PM: Doors Open (Cash bar available)
• 6:00 PM: Artist Talk with WCHOF Music Director Brian Woods
• 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Concert Performance

Details:

• Venue: World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries
• Tickets: $25 General Admission, $20 WCHOF Members.
• Each ticket includes one complimentary drink ticket.
• Seating is extremely limited for this intimate performance held inside our gallery, offering a rare, up-close listening experience.

Can’t make it to the concert? Be sure to watch the livestream on the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries’ YouTube channel.

Join us for a captivating evening of classical music as the WCHOF Music Series celebrates the profound artistry of chamber performance. Featuring the world-renowned Arianna String Quartet, the performance takes place at the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries, a unique Saint Louis museum and art gallery that offers an unforgettable atmosphere where strategic games meet sonic masterpieces.

The Program: French Romantic Grandeur

Experience a journey through late-Romantic intensity with:

• Concerto for Violin, Piano, and String Quartet, Op. 21 (1891): A monumental work by Ernest Chausson filled with bombastic drama and quiet lyricism, showcasing strings and piano at their very best.

The Performers: Arianna String Quartet, Janet Sung, and Brian Woods

This exceptional evening features the acclaimed Arianna String Quartet, joined by virtuoso violinist Janet Sung. Celebrated for her “riveting” playing and exquisite tone, Ms. Sung has performed as a soloist with leading orchestras worldwide and serves as the Head of Strings at DePaul University. WCHOF Music Director Brian Woods has curated this exceptional program, selecting pieces that reflect the mission of the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries to celebrate the intersection of art, culture, and high strategy. An internationally acclaimed pianist and native of Saint Louis, Woods brings both technical brilliance and a charismatic presentational style to the gallery stage. Based in Saint Louis since 2000, the Arianna String Quartet is currently celebrating 30 years of music-making and remains in demand globally.

Thematic Connection: Creative Counterpoint

Ernest Chausson’s unique “Concerto” structure—pairing a solo violin and piano against a string quartet—mirrors the complex layers of a grandmaster’s strategy. Just as a chess opening balances individual tension with collective harmony, this performance thrives on the intricate interplay between its diverse musical voices within our gallery walls.

Venue, Tickets, and Full Schedule

Experience this concert surrounded by our incredible permanent and rotating art exhibitions and history exhibits.

Full Evening Schedule:

• 5:30 PM: Doors Open (Cash bar available)
• 6:00 PM: Artist Talk with WCHOF Music Director Brian Woods
• 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Concert Performance

Details:

• Venue: World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries
• Tickets: $25 General Admission, $20 WCHOF Members.
• Note: Each ticket includes one complimentary drink ticket.
• Seating is extremely limited for this intimate performance held inside our gallery, offering a rare, up-close listening experience.

Can’t make it to the concert? Be sure to watch the livestream on the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries’ YouTube channel.

Join us for a soulful evening of contemporary roots music as the WCHOF Music Series celebrates the rich traditions of American songwriting. Featuring the acclaimed artistry of Neil Salsich, this concert is an essential cultural event for music lovers and a highlight of the Saint Louis concerts calendar.

The performance takes place at the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries, a unique Saint Louis museum and art gallery that offers an unforgettable atmosphere where strategic games meet sonic masterpieces.

The Program: Soul, Blues, and Rock

Experience a journey through heartfelt storytelling and melodic grit with:

• Modern Originals: Honest compositions that bridge classic folk with contemporary narratives.
• Soulful Covers: A selection of timeless tracks reimagined through Salsich’s distinctive, road-tested lens.

The Performer: Neil Salsich

This exceptional evening features the national-level talent of singer-songwriter-guitarist Neil Salsich. Known as the frontman for roots rock band The Mighty Pines and a celebrated contestant on NBC’s The Voice, he possesses a voice that evokes the golden age of American music. You can preview his soulful performance style here. WCHOF Music Director Brian Owens and Next Move Artist-in-Residence Malena Smith have curated this exceptional programming, selecting artists who reflect the mission of the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries to celebrate the intersection of art, culture, and high strategy. The soloist will bring dynamic energy and emotional depth to these cornerstone works.

Thematic Connection: The Art of the Solo

In both chess and music, the solo performer must rely on total focus and strategic intuition. Just as a grandmaster navigates the board alone, Neil Salsich uses his guitar and voice to command the gallery space, proving that one individual can create a world of complex beauty through skill and passion.

Venue, Tickets, and Full Schedule

Experience this concert surrounded by our incredible permanent and rotating art exhibitions and history exhibits.

Full Evening Schedule:

• 5:30 PM: Doors Open (Cash bar available)
• 6:00 PM: Artist Talk with WCHOF Music Director Brian Owens
• 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Concert Performance

Details:

• Venue: World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries
• Tickets: $25 General Admission, $20 WCHOF Members.
• Note: Each ticket includes one complimentary drink ticket.
• Seating is extremely limited for this intimate performance held inside our gallery, offering a rare, up-close listening experience.

Can’t make it to the concert? Be sure to watch the livestream on the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries’ YouTube channel.

Join us for a sophisticated evening of contemporary jazz and soul as the WCHOF Music Series celebrates the timeless artistry of a global icon. Featuring the luminous vocals of Malena Smith and her superb ensemble, this concert is an essential cultural event for music lovers and a highlight of the Saint Louis concerts calendar. The performance takes place at the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries, a unique museum and art gallery that offers an unforgettable atmosphere where strategic games meet sonic masterpieces.

The Program: Come Away with Me

Experience a journey through the songbook of Norah Jones with:

• The Artistry of Norah Jones: A heartfelt tribute to the 10-time Grammy-winning artist.
• A Multi-Genre Fusion: Masterful interpretations blending jazz, blues, soul, country, folk, and pop.
• From Hits to Deep Cuts: A curated selection of beloved classics and hidden gems that honor one of music’s most distinctive voices.

The Performer: Malena Smith

This exceptional evening features Malena Smith alongside her band of world-class musicians. Smith is a celebrated storyteller known for her elegant phrasing and vulnerable, thought-provoking original works. The ensemble will bring emotional and technical depth to these cornerstone songs. Next Move Artist-in-Residence Malena Smith has curated this program, selecting songs that reflect our mission to celebrate the intersection of art, culture, and excellence.

Thematic Connection: Strategy in Song

Just as a Grandmaster carefully layers a Sicilian Defense, Norah Jones revolutionized the early 2000s music scene by meticulously layering disparate genres into a cohesive, winning aesthetic. This performance honors that strategic brilliance, inviting listeners to find the quiet power within the melody while surrounded by the world’s most iconic chess artifacts.

Venue, Tickets, and Full Schedule

Experience this concert surrounded by our incredible permanent and rotating art exhibitions and history exhibits.

Full Evening Schedule:

• 5:30 PM: Doors Open (Cash bar available)
• 6:00 PM: Artist Talk with WCHOF Music Director Brian Owens
• 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Concert Performance

Details:

• Venue: World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries
• Tickets: $25 General Admission, $20 WCHOF Members.
• Note: Each ticket includes one complimentary drink ticket.
• Seating is extremely limited for this intimate performance held inside our gallery, offering a rare, up-close listening experience.

Can’t make it to the concert? Be sure to watch the livestream on the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries’ YouTube channel.

Join us for a sophisticated evening of vocal mastery as the WCHOF Music Series celebrates the intersection of classic storytelling and melodic grandeur. Featuring world-class artists from Winter Opera St. Louis, the performance takes place at the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries, a unique Saint Louis museum and art gallery that offers an unforgettable atmosphere where strategic games meet sonic masterpieces.

The Program: Opera & Broadway Favorites

Experience a journey through beloved stage classics with:

• Operatic Masterpieces: Dramatic arias performed in their original languages, showcasing the raw power of the human voice.
• Broadway Essentials: Timeless favorites reimagined for an intimate setting.

The Performers: Winter Opera St. Louis

This exceptional evening features nationally and internationally recognized artists from Winter Opera St. Louis. Known for bringing world-class performances to Saint Louis, this ensemble strengthens the local artistic community through its commitment to musical excellence.

Soprano and General Director Gina Galati has curated this exceptional program, selecting pieces that reflect the WCHOF’s mission to celebrate the intersection of art, culture, and high strategy. The performers will bring emotional and technical depth to these cornerstone works.

Venue, Tickets, and Full Schedule

Experience this concert surrounded by our incredible permanent and rotating art exhibitions and history exhibits.

Full Evening Schedule:

• 5:30 PM: Doors Open (Cash bar available)
• 6:00 PM: Artist Talk with WCHOF Music Director Brian Woods
• 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Concert Performance

Details:

• Venue: World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries
• Tickets: $25 General Admission, $20 WCHOF Members.
• Note: Each ticket includes one complimentary drink ticket.

Seating is extremely limited for this intimate performance held within one of the current galleries, offering a rare, up-close listening experience.

Can’t make it to the concert? Be sure to watch the livestream on the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries’ YouTube channel.

Join us for a soulful evening of rhythm and blues as the WCHOF Music Series celebrates the legendary sounds of Memphis’ Royal Studios. Featuring Grammy Award-winning musician and producer Boo Mitchell, the Hi Rhythm Section, and Lina Beach, this concert is an essential cultural event for music lovers and a highlight of the Saint Louis concert calendar.

The performance takes place at the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries, a unique Saint Louis museum and art gallery that offers an unforgettable atmosphere where strategic games meet sonic masterpieces.

The Program: Memphis Soul Traditions

Experience a journey through the “Deep South” sound with:

• The Royal Studios Legacy: A celebration of deep-pocket grooves, velvet horns, and timeless melodies that defined an era.
• A Soulful Throughline: Exploring the connection between the Memphis tradition and the Midwest’s own vibrant musical history.

The Performers: Legends of the Groove

This exceptional evening features premier musicians from the Hi Rhythm Section alongside modern torchbearers. These artists were selected for the WCHOF Contemporary Music Series by WCHOF Music Director Brian Owens, reflecting the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries’ mission to celebrate the intersection of art, culture, and excellence.

• Boo Mitchell: A Grammy Award-winning engineer and producer who carries forward the storied lineage of Willie Mitchell and Royal Studios.
• Lina Beach: A powerhouse vocalist and songwriter known for her expressive tone and emotional sincerity.

The Hi Rhythm Section: The architects of the sound behind Al Green and Ann Peebles, whose understated rhythm remains a foundation of modern music.

Thematic Connection: The Strategy of the Groove

Much like a grandmaster calculating several moves ahead, the members of the Hi Rhythm Section mastered the “strategy of the groove”—the ability to anticipate a vocalist’s next emotional shift and provide the perfect harmonic support. This precision and intuition mirror the mental agility required in world-class chess, making the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries the perfect backdrop for this soulful masterclass.

Venue, Tickets, and Full Schedule

Experience this concert surrounded by our incredible permanent and rotating art exhibitions and history exhibits.

Full Evening Schedule:

• 5:30 PM: Doors Open (Cash bar available)
• 6:00 PM: Artist Talk with WCHOF Music Director Brian Owens
• 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Concert Performance

Details:

• Venue: World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries
• Tickets: $25 General Admission, $20 WCHOF Members.
• Note: Each ticket includes one complimentary drink ticket.

Seating is extremely limited for this intimate performance held within one of the current galleries, offering a rare, up-close listening experience.

Can’t make it to the concert? Be sure to watch the livestream on the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries’ YouTube channel.

Join us for a sophisticated evening of classical music as the WCHOF Music Series celebrates the arrival of Fall. Featuring world-class musicians, this concert is an essential cultural event for music lovers and a highlight of the Saint Louis concerts calendar. The performance takes place at the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries, a unique Saint Louis museum and art gallery that offers an unforgettable atmosphere where strategic games meet sonic masterpieces.

The Program: Passion and Poetry

Experience a journey through the heights of romantic expression with:

• Frauenliebe und Leben, Op. 42 (Robert Schumann): A magical voyage through poetry and song, recognized as one of history’s finest expressions of love.
• Violin Sonata: Dramatic Virtuosity (César Franck): Originally a wedding gift, this masterpiece captivates with its emotional weight and legendary technical brilliance.

The Performers: Chamber Music Excellence

This exceptional evening features three distinguished performers bringing incredible depth to these cornerstone works. WCHOF Music Director Brian Woods has curated this powerful program, selecting pieces that reflect the mission of the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries to celebrate the intersection of art, culture, and high strategy. Collaborating for this event are pianist Alla Voskoboynikova, mezzo-soprano Benedetta Orsi, and Hannah Ji, the assistant concertmaster for the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO).

Thematic Connection: Strategic Romance

Just as a Grandmaster anticipates a rival’s move, Schumann and Franck navigated the complex structures of musical theory to evoke raw human emotion. This program highlights the “strategy of the heart,” where precise composition meets the boundless passion of the Romantic era, all set within the world’s premier destination for chess culture.

Venue, Tickets, and Full Schedule

Experience this concert surrounded by our incredible permanent and rotating art exhibitions and history exhibits.

Full Evening Schedule:

• 5:30 PM: Doors Open (Cash bar available)
• 6:00 PM: Artist Talk with WCHOF Music Director Brian Woods
• 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Concert Performance

Details:

• Venue: World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries
• Tickets: $25 General Admission, $20 WCHOF Members.
• Note: Each ticket includes one complimentary drink ticket.

Seating is extremely limited for this intimate performance held within one of the current galleries, offering a rare, up-close listening experience.

Can’t make it to the concert? Be sure to watch the livestream on the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries’ YouTube channel.

Join us for a vibrant evening of soul-stirring melodies as the WCHOF Music Series celebrates the innovative spirit of “Life Music.” Featuring the acclaimed saxophonist and producer Scooter Brown, this concert is an essential cultural event for music lovers and a highlight of the Saint Louis concerts calendar. The performance takes place at the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries, a unique Saint Louis museum and art gallery that offers an unforgettable atmosphere where strategic games meet sonic masterpieces.

The Program: Life Music & Contemporary Grooves

Experience a journey through a genre-blending fusion of jazz, soul, funk, and modern textures with:

• Growth! (2024): Selected tracks from Brown’s debut album that showcase a commitment to innovation and emotional connection.
• The East Saint Louis Legacy: A rhythmic exploration of deep ties to local musical traditions.

The Performer: Scooter Brown

This exceptional evening features East Saint Louis native Scooter Brown who has curated this exceptional program, selecting pieces that reflect the mission of the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries to celebrate the intersection of art, culture, and excellence. The artist will bring creative and spirited depth to these cornerstone works.

Thematic Connection: The Strategy of Improv

Just as a Grandmaster anticipates moves on a board, Scooter Brown navigates the complex structures of jazz and funk with artistic precision. His work reflects the same intentionality found in high-level chess, where every note plays a vital role in the unfolding narrative of the performance.

Venue, Tickets, and Full Schedule

Experience this concert surrounded by our incredible permanent and rotating art exhibitions and history exhibits.

Full Evening Schedule:

• 5:30 PM: Doors Open (Cash bar available)
• 6:00 PM: Artist Talk with WCHOF Music Director Brian Owens
• 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Concert Performance

Details:

• Venue: World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries
• Tickets: $25 General Admission, $20 WCHOF Members; includes one complimentary drink ticket.

Seating: Seating is extremely limited for this intimate performance held inside our gallery, offering a rare, up-close listening experience.

Can’t make it to the concert? Be sure to watch the livestream on the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries’ YouTube channel.

Join the WCHOF Music Series for a thrilling evening of music inspired by the personal lives of the great composers. Featuring a premier violinist from the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) and an accomplished guest cellist from Nashville, this performance is an essential cultural event for music lovers.

This concert takes place at the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries, a unique Saint Louis museum and art gallery that offers an unforgettable atmosphere where strategic games meet sonic masterpieces.

The Program: Life Meets Art

Experience a journey through raw human emotion and musical brilliance with:

• Piano Trio in G Minor: Written by Bedřich Smetana following the death of his daughter, this work stands as one of the most dramatic, powerful 19th-century masterworks. Smetana, a mentor to Antonin Dvořák, created a profoundly personal piece that remains a cornerstone of the repertoire.

The Performers: Collaborative Excellence

This exceptional evening features a trio of world-class artists. WCHOF Music Director Brian Woods looks forward to partnering with two of his favorite collaborators for this program:

• Nathan Lowry: A celebrated violinist appointed to the SLSO in 2023 by Stéphane Denève, who is in high demand as a performer in the Saint Louis area.
• Alex Krew: A Nashville-based cellist who has quickly established a career as an educator and performer, regularly playing in settings from session recordings to video game soundtracks.

The ensemble will bring evocative and virtuosic depth to these cornerstone works.

Venue, Tickets, and Full Schedule

Experience this concert surrounded by our incredible permanent and rotating art exhibitions and history exhibits.

Thematic Connection: Strategy and Sorrow

Bedřich Smetana composed with a calculated precision often found in a Grandmaster’s opening. By channeling personal grief into a structured masterpiece, he demonstrates how the most complex human emotions can be navigated through the disciplined strategy of musical composition.

Venue, Tickets, and Full Schedule

Experience this concert surrounded by our incredible permanent and rotating art exhibitions and history exhibits.

Full Evening Schedule:

• 5:30 PM: Doors Open (Cash bar available)
• 6:00 PM: Artist Talk with WCHOF Music Director Brian Woods
• 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Concert Performance

Details:

• Venue: World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries
• Tickets: $25 General Admission, $20 WCHOF Members (includes one complimentary drink ticket)
• Seating is extremely limited for this intimate performance held inside our gallery, offering a rare, up-close listening experience.

Can’t make it to the concert? Be sure to watch the livestream on the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries’ YouTube channel.