In 2002, Missouri Symphony League member Georgia Morehouse attended a “Muffins and Mozart” fundraiser at the Missouri Theatre. Georgia recalls, "they had invited kids to come play the piano, and I heard this marvelous music coming from this little-bitty guy sitting there with the sleeves of his jacket half over his hands, but he was playing this gorgeous music. I said to his teacher, ‘Other people ought to hear this, not just their parents.’ ”
The Missouri Symphony began with a mission to provide quality music education and experiences for young musicians. The Piano Showcase, now in its 19th Year, is an event that encourages and celebrates excellence in young musicians while giving them a performance opportunity like no other. Imagine being seven years old and walking out onto the stage of the beautifully restored Historic Missouri Theatre and sliding into place at the keys of a gorgeous Yamaha grand piano. Magic moments like this are the ones which turn students into performers and life-long music lovers.
“I remember one year this one little guy, he was 12, and he was just amazing, and when he came off the stage, his face was just glowing, and he said, ‘It’s just so exciting to play that piano.’ He was just overwhelmed.” -Georgia Morehouse
