Saint Louis University students can brush up on their culture from a place right in their own backyard.

The Powell Theatre, located within The Grand Center arts and entertainment district only about a 5-minute walk from campus, is home to the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, a group of around 100 musicians who play classical pieces of music throughout the year.

Founded in 1925, The Powell Theatre has welcomed such great artists as violinists Hilary Hahn and Joshua Bell, violist Pinkus Zuckerman and cellist Yo-Yo Ma (who will be returning to the Powell this season).

In a previous life, the Powell Theatre was a movie theatre, the last movie that played being The Sound of Music. The theatre also showcased Vaudeville for a time, but was later acquired as the home stage for the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra.

Eddie Silva, publications manager for the Powell, feels that the experience of live symphony music is irreplaceable.

“If you haven’t experienced classical music before, especially a world class orchestra like the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, the Powell Theatre is a good place to start,” Silva said. “Nothing can describe the way an orchestra with over 100 people sounds when they are all synchronized and the sweat is popping on their foreheads. It is as much a visual experience as a musical one.”

Silva insists that the theatre has a very open dress code that is friendly to any type of student.

“Come in jeans or dress up. Come as you feel. We want you to be comfortable,” he said.

For his part, Silva hopes the Powell can play a part in letting students know that symphonies can be just as thrilling as any other type of live music.

“You will discover that the music here is anything but slow, it is an experience like none other,” Silva said.

Ticket prices for shows at The Powell Theatre run as low as $15, but students can purchase tickets for as little as $10. For those hesitant to spend $10 right away, there will be a free concert Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. for students only. The concert will be a preview of the theatre’s “Choral Spectacular” which will feature the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and other vocalists as well as instrumental music.

For more information about the Powell Symphony Hall or the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, visit www.slso.org.