Juneteenth: Jubilee and Inheritance at Ritenour High School

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
June 18, 2026

Thursday, June 18, 2026, 7 PM
Ritenour High School Auditorium
9100 St. Charles Rock Rd
St. Louis, MO 63114

Celebrate Freedom with Us!

Join us for a special evening of music and celebration!

The Gateway Festival Orchestra (GFO) is thrilled to invite you to our Juneteenth Concert, a heartwarming tribute to freedom, heritage, and the vibrant spirit of the African American community. Experience the rich tapestry of sounds that reflect our collective journey towards hope and unity.

Date: June 18, 2026
Time: 7-9 PM
Location:Ritenour High School Auditorium
Admission: Free!

THE PROGRAM

Under the baton of Terrence Abernathy and featuring the powerful voice of Vincent Wallace as baritone, our program promises an unforgettable musical experience:

Dreamcatcher by Anthony Barfield
A captivating blend of cinematic textures with R&B/Hip-Hop influences that captures the essence of chasing dreams through soaring brass lines.
Inheriting the Future (Premiere) by Blake Hernton
I. Solar Eclipse
II. Legacy
III. Inheritance
This multi-movement work takes us on a journey from lyrical introspection to joyful rhythm, encapsulating the essence of our past and future.
Gospel Suite No. 1 by Various Composers
Featuring Vincent Wallace, Baritone
I. Refuge (Premiere) by Carol Lacey
Delicate harp melodies within a gospel choir’s embrace, portraying safety amidst life’s challenges.
II. Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel? by Mark Hayes
A spirited arrangement filled with high-energy rhythms that invigorate the soul.

INTERMISSION

Darker America by William Grant Still
A profound tone poem reflecting the depth of sorrow, hope, and prayer, tracing the trials and aspirations of Black Americans.
Adoration by Florence Price
An orchestral arrangement highlighting the lush capabilities of the strings, evoking the composer’s deep spiritual roots.
Elementis in Bb (Premiere) by Terrence Abernathy
A complex piece exploring sound and structure, expanding into a rich and innovative sonic landscape.
Overture from Treemonisha by Scott Joplin
Breaking boundaries between classical and ragtime, this piece showcases Joplin’s operatic ambitions with its unique rhythms and lyrical qualities.

Join Us in Celebration!

Bring your family and friends as we gather to honor our shared history and the journey of freedom through the universal language of music. Together, let’s celebrate Juneteenth in a spirit of unity and joy.

We look forward to seeing you there! For more information, please contact us HERE.

Ritenour High School Auditorium

9100 St Charles Rock Rd

St. Louis, MO 63114


CONTACT:		Phyllis Pasley outreach@moaae.org
WEBSITE:		www.moaae.org/home
The Missouri Alliance for Arts Education, (MAAE) – also referred to as “the Alliance” – is comprised of individuals and organizations passionate about the the arts and arts education. They recognize the positive impact of engagement in the arts, and recognize the efficacy of coalition. By uniting with others to support and promote arts education, we can realize the vision: that all Missouri students will enjoy the benefits of a high-quality arts education.

ADDRESS:		3532a Greenwood Blvd Maplewood, MO 63143
CONTACS:		info@stlstringcollective.com (314) 325-2294
WEBSITE:		www.stlstringcollective.com
St. Louis String Collective promotes creative, multi-genre string instrument playing through educational programming and performance opportunities. We believe that: Supporting the arts is essential to the health and well-being of our community Mastering techniques and styles outside of the traditional classical pedagogy, such as developing improvisational skills and learning by ear develops well-rounded musicianship Learning a variety of musical styles and traditions cultivates compassion and curiosity

ADDRESS:		1615 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63101
CONTACS:		Andy Lewis alewis@nationalbluesmuseum.org (314) 925-0016
WEBSITE:		nationalbluesmuseum.org
National Blues Mueseum is preserving the legacy and honoring the history of the music that gave voice to generations. Blues, baby, is the root of all American music, and we’re here to show you just how deep those roots go. They offer exhibits that’ll take you back to the early days of the blues, where it all began. You’ll see how this beautiful music has touched and influenced every corner of the U.S. and beyond.

ADDRESS:		Turley Performing Arts Academy 1023 Chesterfield Parkway East Chesterfield, MO 63017
CONTACT:		Crissy Nordin cnordin@stagesstlouis.org Administration: 636.530.5959 Academy: 636.449.5775
WEBSITE:		stagesstlouis.org
STAGES employs the best Musical Theatre artists available regionally and nationally for all productions. By holding auditions in St. Louis and New York, STAGES is able to attract not only Broadway talent, but also further its commitment to support professional St. Louis actors, providing nearly 450 union work weeks annually. In addition to being the top regional employer of local union actors, STAGES educates thousands of students each year at its Performing Arts Academy, the region’s only year-round arts school with a comprehensive curriculum run by a professional theatre company.

ADDRESS:		130 Edgar Rd. St. Louis, MO 63119
CONTACS:		Brian Coats: Program Manager Bcoats@repstl.org Britney Daniels: Community Engagement Manager Bwalkermerritte@repstl.org 314-687-4080
WEBSITE:		www.repstl.org
The Rep is the St. Louis region’s most honored live professional theatre company. Founded in 1966, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is a fully professional theatrical operation belonging to the League of Resident Theatres, The League of St. Louis Theatres and is a constituent member of Theatre Communications Group, Inc., the national service organization for the not-for-profit professional theatre.

ADDRESS:		12580 Rott Road St. Louis, MO 63127
CONTACT:		Elsie Tuttle (217) 931.2779 (cell) (314) 615-5268 (office) ETuttle@laumeier.org
WEBSITE:		www.laumeiersculpturepark.org
Founded in 1976, Laumeier Sculpture Park is one of the first and largest sculpture parks in the country. It presents more than 70 works of large-scale outdoor sculpture throughout its 105-acre campus and serves 300,000 visitors of all ages each year with a world-class art collection, indoor and outdoor temporary exhibitions, education programs, and public events. Laumeier is free and open daily. Learn more at www.laumeier.org.

ADDRESS:		3221 McKelvey Rd Suite 106
CONTACT:		info@hectv.org 314.531.4455 Office 314.531.0750 Fax
WEBSITE:		www.hectv.org
HEC-TV is St. Louis’ leading producer of education, arts, and cultural television. Our mission is “to strengthen and promote education, arts, and cultural communities in the St. Louis metropolitan area.” HEC-TV is proud to bring you television that “makes you think.” For more information visit www.hectv.org.

ADDRESS:		9450 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO 63124
CONTACT:		Melissa Payton, Executive Director melissa.payton@bachsociety.org Danielle Feinstein danielle.feinstein@bachsociety.org 314-652-BACH info@bachsociety.org
WEBSITE:		www.bachsociety.org
Founded in 1941, The Bach Society is St. Louis’ oldest continuous semi-professional chorus. Our mission is to provide stimulating and enriching musical and educational experiences for audiences and performers in the tradition of Johann Sebastian Bach.

ADDRESS:		3547 Olive St Suite 204, St. Louis, MO 63103
CONTACT:		Brian Vaccaro, Executive Director Phone: 314.567.5566 Email: brian@stlclassicalguitar.org
WEBSITE:		www.stlclassicalguitar.org
St. Louis Classical Guitar (SLCG), previously known as the St. Louis Classical Guitar Society, is a non-profit arts agency whose mission is to promote positive impact through classical guitar performance and education. Founded in 1963 by students of George C. Krick, SLCG is the third oldest organization in the nation centered around classical guitar.

Thursday, June 18, 2026, 7 PM Ritenour High School Auditorium 9100 St. Charles Rock Rd St. Louis, MO 63114

Celebrate Freedom with Us!

Share This Post, Choose Your Platform!

MISSOURI ALLIANCE FOR ARTS EDUCATION

CONTACT:

WEBSITE:

ST. LOUIS STRING COLLECTIVE

ADDRESS:

CONTACS:

WEBSITE:

NATIONAL BLUES MUSEUM

ADDRESS:

CONTACS:

WEBSITE:

STAGES STL

ADDRESS:

CONTACT:

WEBSITE:

THE REPERTORY THEATER OF STL

ADDRESS:

CONTACS:

WEBSITE:

LAUMEIER SCULPTURE PARK

ADDRESS:

CONTACT:

WEBSITE:

HEC-TV

ADDRESS:

CONTACT:

WEBSITE:

THE BACH SOCIETY OF ST. LOUIS

ADDRESS:

CONTACT:

WEBSITE:

World Music LLC.

CONTACT:

WEBSITE:

ST. LOUIS CLASSICAL GUITAR

ADDRESS:

CONTACT:

WEBSITE:

UMSL DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC

UMSL DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC

ADDRESS:

CONTACT:

Classic 107.3 Radio

ADDRESS:

CONTACT:

SCOTTISH PARTNERSHIP FOR ARTS AND EDUCATION

ADDRESS:

CONTACT:

GIRL CONDUCTOR

ADDRESS:

CONTACT:

SPRINGBOARD

ADDRESS:

CONTACT:

WEBSITE:

ST. LOUIS CHILDREN’S CHOIRS

ADDRESS:

CONTACT:

CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM ST. LOUIS

ADDRESS:

CONTACT:

WEBSITE:

PRISON PERFORMING ARTS

ADDRESS:

CONTACT:

WEBSITE:

PIANOS FOR PEOPLE

ADDRESS:

CONTACT:

WEBSITE:

ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

ADDRESS:

CONTACT:

WEBSITE:

METRO THEATER COMPANY

ADDRESS:

CONTACT:

Thursday, June 18, 2026, 7 PM
Ritenour High School Auditorium
9100 St. Charles Rock Rd
St. Louis, MO 63114