Educational Concerts
Our educational concerts open minds in the moment, and more importantly, long after they’ve left the building. The Sheldon introduces young people to jazz, folk, classical, world music, dance and more through engaging, one-of-a kind performances. These one-hour performances feature some of St. Louis’ top musicians and educators, as well as several nationally acclaimed artists. At the end of each performance, students have the opportunity for a Q&A session with artists.
Educational Concert Series
Education Concerts are $5 per ticket, with one free chaperone/adult ticket for every 10 student tickets. Need-based assistance available for qualifying schools.
Teacher Handbooks are provided for use before and after the visit, which include additional educational materials and follow-up activities.
Links below will take you to Explorable Places, our educational registration partner.
Following are planned dates for the 2026-2027 school year.
American Musical
It takes a good story, lyrics, music, dance and design to put a musical together. Enjoy a fast-paced look at the process, with music from West Side Story, Hamilton and more!
Audience: Middle & High School.
October 23, 2026, at 10:30 a.m.December 4, 2026, at 10 a.m.February 17, 2027, at 10 a.m.April 1, 2027, at 10:30 a.m.
Dance the Story: The Nutcracker at the 1904 World’s Fair
Enjoy this unique retelling of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker as Clara and her sisters dance through a dream filled with familiar sights, sweets and sounds of the 1904 World’s Fair.
Audience: Early Elementary.
Dance the Story: Sleeping Beauty
April 23, 10 a.m. & April 24, 10:30 a.m.
Experience the connected worlds of dance, music and literacy through Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty ballet. Students will learn the building blocks of every great story and will want to dance along by the end of the show!
Audience: Early Elementary.
February 18, 2027, at 10 a.m.February 19, 2027, at 10:30 a.m.April 22, 2027, at 10 a.m.April 23, 2027, at 10:30 a.m.
Drums & Dances of Africa
Introduce your students to the sounds and movements of West Africa, with music and dance that celebrate history, nature and community. Presented in partnership with Afriky Lolo.
Audience: All Ages.
October 21, 2026, at 10 a.m.October 22, 2026, at 10 a.m.February 2, 2027, at 10:30 a.m.February 3, 2027, at 10:30 a.m.
February 4, 2027, at 10:30 a.m.February 5, 2027, at 10:30 a.m.April 13, 2027, at 10 a.m.April 14, 2027, at 10 a.m.
The Jazz Story
Experience the story of America’s unique creation, jazz, from Duke Ellington to Herbie Hancock! A quintet of local jazz musicians showcase the evolution of jazz with a musical, visual, and interactive presentation featuring some of St. Louis’s own musical greats.
Audience: Elementary – Middle.
October 27, 2026, at 10 a.m.December 8, 2026, at 10:30 a.m.February 9, 2027, at 10 a.m.March 9, 2027, at 10 a.m.
The Music of Lewis and Clark
Follow the amazing adventures of Lewis and Clark, with a musical journey featuring historic and original folk music from St. Louis, up the Missouri River, across the Rockies all the way to the Pacific Ocean!
Audience: Elementary.
November 10, 2026February 12, 2027, 10:30 a.m.March 9, 2027, at 10 a.m.
Wednesday Morning Concerts
NEW this season: Morning Concerts for High Schoolers
In an expansion of our morning series for adults, The Sheldon will offer high school groups the opportunity to attend the 10 a.m. concerts with up-close access to the artist in a Q&A afterward. These widely varied concerts feature amazing artists from St. Louis and beyond. Tickets will be booked through our group sales manager.
Wednesday Morning Concerts are $15 per ticket, with a minimum group of 20 and available to high school students only. One free chaperone ticket is included per 20 students. Need-based assistance is not available for these concerts.
Please contact The Sheldon’s marketing department to register for Wednesday morning concerts. Registration begins in August.
25-26 dates are announced below!
The Sunny 60s: West Coast Swing & Bossa Nova featuring Dawn Weber, Janet Evra, and Kara Baldus | Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Celebrate the golden age of West Coast cool and Brazilian bossa nova with three of St. Louis’s brightest stars: Trumpeter and vocalist Dawn Weber, bassist-singer Janet Evra, and pianist-arranger Kara Baldus. This stylist program pays tribute to the sunny sounds of the 1960’s, from breezy jazz and swing to the lush rhythms of Jobin and Gilberto.
