Program Type: Concert

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.

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.

Join us for a sophisticated evening of soul music as the WCHOF Music Series celebrates the vibrant legacy of the 1980s. Featuring the acclaimed Brian Owens, this concert is an essential cultural event for fans 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: Soulful Reimaginations

Experience a journey through nostalgic joy as Brian Owens revisits the unforgettable sounds of the 1980s. The setlist includes:

• 1980s Anthems: Iconic hits reinterpreted through the lens of classic soul and contemporary artistry.
• Heartfelt Ballads: Inventive arrangements of the greatest songs from a decade defined by neon colors, video games, and MTV. Brian Owens reimagines these unforgettable sounds—soulful, high-energy, and full of nostalgic joy. Expect inventive arrangements of the greatest hits from the decade. 

The Performer: Brian Owens

This exceptional evening features the renowned vocalist whose voice is steeped in tradition. WCHOF Music Director Brian Owens has curated this unique program, selecting pieces that reflect our mission to celebrate the intersection of art, culture, and high strategy. The Saint Louis-based singer and creative curator seamlessly blends storytelling and community spirit in every appearance. He has performed internationally alongside luminaries such as Michael McDonald and Michael Bublé. As the founder of the Life Creative STL ecosystem, he mentors young talent and develops innovative education initiatives.

Thematic Connection: Strategy and Soul

Just as a grandmaster navigates a complex board with intuition, Brian Owens navigates the intricate melodies of pop classics with soulful precision. This performance bridges the gap between the structured logic found in chess education and the fluid emotion of rhythm and blues.

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.
• 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 lyrical evening of chamber repertoire as the WCHOF Music Series celebrates the fiery works of Felix Mendelssohn. Featuring performers from the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, this event is an essential cultural highlight on the Saint Louis summer 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: Fiery and Lyrical Romanticism

Experience a journey through German Romanticism with:

• Cello Sonata No. 2, Op. 58 (1843): A joyous display of virtuosic spirit and melodic grace.
• Piano Trio No. 1, Op. 49: Dramatic Intensity: A cornerstone of the genre featuring profound emotional weight.

The Performers: St. Louis Symphony Orchestra

This exceptional evening features violinist Andrea Jarrett and cellist Bjorn Ranheim, both elite string players from the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. WCHOF Music Director Brian Woods has curated this unique 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 expressive depth to these cornerstone compositions. The guest artists represent the finest talent in the Saint Louis area, trained at the country’s premier conservatories and performing across the globe as soloists, collaborators, and educators.

Thematic Connection: Strategy in Composition

Felix Mendelssohn often balanced rigid structure with soaring emotion, much like a grandmaster executing a complex tactical sequence. Just as a brilliant player finds beauty within formal rules, these works showcase how creative spirit thrives inside mathematical boundaries.

Venue, Tickets, and Full Schedule

Experience this concert surrounded by our incredible permanent and rotating art exhibitions, art exhibits, 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
• Admission: $25 General, $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.

The World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries is delighted to welcome the Sinta Quartet for a truly special evening of American classics. This concert is a highlight of the Saint Louis concerts calendar and continuation of the United States’ 250th Anniversary Celebration.

Join us for an electrifying evening of classical music as the WCHOF Music Series celebrates the power of reimagination. Featuring musicians from the Sinta 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: American Classics, Reimagined

Experience a journey through seminal American compositions as the Sinta Quartet presents cornerstone works in a fresh, captivating light:

• Antonín Dvořák’s String Quartet No. 12, Op. 96 “American” (Transcription): A masterful translation of the famous chamber work, capturing the composer’s passion for American folk melodies with the rich texture of a saxophone ensemble.
• George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue (with Brian Woods): A legendary work blending jazz and classical styles, performed with exhilarating instrumental depth by the quartet and Music Director Brian Woods.

The Performers: Sinta Quartet

This exceptional evening features the renowned Sinta Quartet. The group made history in 2013 as the first saxophone ensemble to win the Concert Artists Guild Competition, one of the United States’ most prestigious prizes for young musicians. The quartet has since performed in some of the globe’s finest venues, including Carnegie Hall and the Beijing Center for the Performing Arts. Their recent recording projects include new commissions and an album dedicated to transcriptions of Beethoven String Quartets.

Thematic Connection: Strategy in Sound

Just as a grandmaster must strategically place pieces on the board to build a winning position, a composer must carefully arrange the instruments’ voices to create complex harmony and form. These saxophone quartet transcriptions offer a fascinating new perspective, requiring the ensemble to employ a precise collaborative strategy to achieve a unified, compelling sound.

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:

• Location: World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries (WCHOF)
• 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 an electrifying evening of modern soul and jazz as the WCHOF Music Series celebrates genre-bending artistry. Featuring musicians from the dynamic duo Brooklyn Saint and a live string 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 Saint Louis museum and art gallery that offers an unforgettable atmosphere where strategic games meet sonic masterpieces.

The Program: Soulful Evolution with Cinematic Strings

Experience a journey through high-energy grooves and cinematic arrangements with this special collaboration:

• Brooklyn Saint + Strings: The electrifying duo of vocalist Shareef Keyes and drummer Emanuel Harrold joins forces with a live string ensemble for an evening that pushes the boundaries of modern soul and jazz.
• A Bold New Sound: Keyes’ bold yet melodic vocals, steeped in the spirit of Marvin Gaye, James Brown, and Janelle Monáe, meet Harrold’s polyrhythmic drive, inspired by jazz and hip-hop innovators. Together, they create a blend of R&B, funk, and hip hop with lush string arrangements.

The Performers: Brooklyn Saint

This exceptional evening features Brooklyn Saint, the dynamic duo of vocalist Shareef Keyes and drummer Emanuel Harrold, along with a supporting string ensemble.

WCHOF Music Director Brian Owens has curated this exceptional program in collaboration with Emanuel Harrold and Shareef Keyes, arranging pieces that reflect the WCHOF’s mission to celebrate the intersection of art, culture, and high strategy. The ensemble will bring inventive and vibrant depth to these musical selections.

Thematic Connection: Strategy in Sound

The strategic nature of chess, which demands both calculated planning and creative improvisation, finds a stunning parallel in the music of Brooklyn Saint. Like a master chess player who anticipates the opponent’s moves while maintaining artistic flair, this ensemble blends disparate genres—R&B’s structure, funk’s rhythmic surprise, and soul’s emotional depth—into a cohesive, winning sound. It’s an evening where every note is a carefully considered, yet passionately delivered move.

Venue, Tickets, and Full Schedule

Experience this concert surrounded by our incredible permanent and rotating art exhibitions and history exhibits. The performance is held in one of the galleries.

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. Each ticket includes one complimentary drink voucher.
• 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 an expressive evening of chamber music as the WCHOF Music Series celebrates the legacy of German Romanticism.

Featuring musicians from the Saint 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, offering an unforgettable atmosphere where strategic games meet sonic masterpieces.

The Program: Romantic Masterworks

Experience a journey through profound emotion and expressive depth with:

• Robert Schumann: Märchenbilder (Fairy Tales), Op. 113: A work that represents Schumann at his finest, both expressive and heroic, as he stretches viola and piano to their technical limits.
• Johannes Brahms: Piano Quartet No. 3, Op. 60: Said to have been inspired by Schumann’s mental struggles, the quartet is both a tour de force for performers and a powerful staple of the chamber music repertoire.

The Performers: SLSO Favorites

WCHOF Music Director Brian Woods has curated this exceptional program, selecting pieces that reflect the WCHOF’s mission to celebrate the intersection of art, culture, and high strategy. The ensemble—including Assistant Concertmaster Hannah Ji, Violist Chris Tantillo, and Cellist Bjorn Ranheim—will bring exquisite and technical depth to these cornerstone works. These three are among the orchestra’s finest representatives, and continue to appear across the country as soloists, chamber musicians, and educators.

Thematic Connection: The Strategic Depths of Chamber Music

Schumann’s Märchenbilder is a series of four miniatures, each with its own character and emotional journey. Much like a chess match, each movement requires profound strategic vision: the performers must anticipate the next emotional shift, balance their parts, and execute precise musical ‘moves’ to convey the full narrative power of the composer’s genius. Join us for a listening experience where technical mastery meets emotional strategy.

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 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.