Chesterfield-Based Orchestra Wants More 'Partnerships'

Now in its fifth season in Chesterfield, the St. Louis Civic Orchestra is looking for more of a partnership with the City of Chesterfield. It gets an arts grant of $3,000 a year.

The orchestra's leaders came before the City Council in February, presenting its case about the importance of the arts in a community. The orchestra performs five concerts a year

By way of comparison, the city recently gave $75,000 toward a contest for more sculpture in the city.

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Last season, the orchestra kicked off the , near the and behind

The orchestra's next performance this season is April 14, 8pm at the William D. Purser building on off Schoettler Road between Clayton Road and Highway 40/64.

They will perform Sibelius' Symphony No. 2 and hear winners of the Florence Frager Young Artist Competition. 

The orchestra is a mix of 65 paid, semi-professional and amateur musicians, with frequent soloists.

The group's conductor is Yale University-educated Edward Dolbashian, who is also director of University of Missouri's conducting program. He was an oboist with Hartford Symphony Orchestra, according to the group's website.

Paul Huppert is Concertmaster or first violin of the Civic Orchestra, and trained at University of Cincinnati.

To reach the orchestra's board of directors: Michael.Etheridge@RaymondJames.com and 314-505-5718.

For more information about the upcoming Florence Frager Young Artist Competition contact Daniel Shavers at 314-771-4833 and dshavers@ucityschools.org