For Gospel and Symphony Fans, an Early Christmas in St. Louis

An AARP collaboration with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is offering music fans a chance to win one of 20 pairs of tickets for a performance of “A Gospel Christmas” on Thursday, Dec. 15, at Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd. One winner will get a prize that includes a gift bag, premium tickets and a $100 certificate for future use.

Says Sheila Holm, community outreach director for AARP in St. Louis: “This provides more people the opportunity to attend this amazing concert.”

The event will feature the symphony’s In Unison Chorus, which includes area singers specializing in African American and African music.

The chorus includes Kwamina Walker-Williams, 60, a charter member of In Unison, who has been an AARP volunteer for seven years. As part of its outreach to the community, the symphony sends musicians to play at local churches, helping to broaden its fan base. “It’s worked,” says Walker-Williams, of Chesterfield. “You see many more African Americans coming to concerts.”

The holiday event is an opportunity for AARP to share information about services it offers. Register for the ticket drawing between Tuesday, Nov. 1, and Thursday, Dec. 1, at aarp.org/stlouis.

—Tim Poor