DeJong hitting right notes in charitable efforts

Throughout the offseason, Paul DeJong likes to trade home runs for crescendos, the crack of a baseball bat for the sound of music, the baseball diamond for an auditorium.

He’s hoping to use his interest in classical music to help others.

Over the past three years, the Cardinals’ shortstop has increased his involvement with the Palm Beach Symphony -- from attending concerts to becoming more involved in the symphony’s philanthropic goals.

“I always loved classical music,” said DeJong, who lives in Palm Beach, Fla., during the offseason. “This is just something that’s nice for me down here, when I’ve got some free time to enjoy someone else on the stage.”

DeJong’s increasing involvement included attending the symphony’s annual Holly Jolly Luncheon last Tuesday. The proceeds from the event -- which included a silent auction that featured artwork painted by DeJong’s agent, Burton Rocks, and signed by DeJong -- went to the symphony’s educational outreach. Its programs include music instruction from the symphony’s musicians, scholarships for students who hope to continue their music career and instrument donations to students in low-income areas.

The symphony also collaborates with the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium for STEAM Nights, celebrating both the sciences and the arts. As a former biochemistry student who often listened to classical music when studying, that’s right up DeJong’s alley, and he’s hoping to make more appearances as his relationship with the symphony grows.

“It was wonderful to have him [at the luncheon] to support our event,” David McClymont, the symphony’s chief executive officer, said. “Our community embraces St. Louis and the Cardinals because of Spring Training, and it’s been nice to have Paul and an extension of the team support us. We’re always thrilled to have him.”

DeJong is one of the symphony’s Music Men -- ambassadors who help spread awareness of the symphony and the work it does by attending concerts and events throughout the year. The Holly Jolly Luncheon was one of those events, and it was special for DeJong because his sister, Emma, who is an art student at the University of Central Florida, designed the ties that the Music Men wore to the luncheon.

“I’m just happy she got the opportunity to have her work be put into something and worn,” DeJong said. “It’s a unique experience.”

Music, after all, is a family affair. DeJong remembers going to concerts with his parents when he was growing up. His younger brother, Matthew, is a student in Florida State’s Master’s program for music theory. Paul used to play the piano and has been itching to start playing again.

“Classical music has always been something that relaxes me,” DeJong said. “I have an appreciation for the art and the theory of it.”

As DeJong fine-tunes his career in the big leagues, he’s also fine-tuning his work off the field, trying to use his interests outside of baseball to fuel his philanthropic work. Rocks is a donor to the symphony and introduced DeJong to it, and he also helped DeJong come up with the idea to donate money to the Ronald McDonald House after DeJong hit the “M” in the Big Mac Land sign at Busch Stadium. The upcoming season will be DeJong’s fourth in the Majors, so with the experience comes a desire to have a voice outside of the clubhouse and off the field.

“It’s definitely a growth process,” DeJong said. “I’m still working my way into it. I’m trying to find where I best fit in and feel things out, explore organizations here and there. I feel like in my position, I should be seen in the community. I think it’s important for our communities to stick together in those ways. I enjoy giving back. Little things go a long way and turn into big things. I try to be as present as possible with things like this.”

What he hopes to accomplish by giving back to his community fits well with the Palm Beach Symphony’s mission.

“I think what it’s really about is showing my support as far as people might think you’re crazy when you write down in elementary school that you want to be a professional baseball player, but that’s what I did,” DeJong said. “Encourage them to stay with their passions. It can really uplift people and give them hope.”

The symphony’s vision is similar. McClymont wants music to be used as a vehicle to push the people it impacts toward their own goals.

“It’s about giving people the opportunity,” McClymont said. “It’s not just about the music, it’s about us trying to set them up for success, whether they want to go on to be attorneys, or scientists, or athletes, who knows what.”