Press Releases
1.23.2020 | VIRGINIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ANNOUNCES HISTORIC “VISION FORWARD” FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
HAMPTON ROADS, VA [January 23, 2020] Celebrating 100 years of community service and creativity, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra has announced the public phase of the largest fundraising campaign in its history. To date, the VSO has raised over $9.3 million, more than...
1.14.2020 | Virginia Symphony Presents Music and Spirits
HAMPTON ROADS, VA [January 14, 2020] Join the Virginia Symphony Orchestra for an intimate evening of music, spirits and mingling Thursday, January 23, 2020 at 5:00PM at Copper Fox Distillery in Williamsburg. Internationally renowned Scottish conductor Douglas Boyd...
1.3.2020 | Virginia Symphony Presents Annual Celebration of Dr. King Popular Tribute Event Set for January 19; Moves to Booker T. Washington H.S.
HAMPTON ROADS, VA [January 3, 2020] -- The Virginia Symphony Orchestra will pay homage to the visionary civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 19, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. Entitled “Songs for a Dreamer,” it is the largest arts celebration of Dr. King’s...
12.5.19 | Virginia Symphony Orchestra Presents The Music of Star Wars
HAMPTON ROADS, VA [December 5, 2019] Back by popular demand, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra will perform music from the iconic film franchise Star Wars. The concert, led by former VSO resident conductor Benjamin Rous, will be held for one night only at 7:30 p.m. on...
11.19.19 | Celebrate the Holidays with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra
HAMPTON ROADS, VA [November 19, 2019] Get in the swing of the holiday season with the Virginia Symphony’s holiday performances! With everything from the timeless Handel’s Messiah, to our brand-new Holiday Brass and Brews, there’s surely something for everyone! The...
11.7.19 | Conductor Benjamin Rous Returns to the VSO in Vivaldi Program
HAMPTON ROADS, VA [November 7, 2019] Popular conductor Benjamin Rous returns to Hampton Roads this month to lead the VSO in two exciting performances of music by Antonio Vivaldi and other masters of the Baroque era. On November 21, the Orchestra will perform at...
News & Reviews
10.29.19 | Virginia Symphony Orchestra offers sensory-friendly concert
This season, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra brings together music lovers of all ages with a brand new show in Newport News. The new sensory-friendly concert Nov. 2 is an inclusive orchestral performance designed for audiences living with autism. The show will feature...
10.28.19 | Virginia Symphony Orchestra Presents Brahms, Beethoven, and Caroline Shaw
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra performed music by Brahms, Beethoven, and Caroline Shaw (who also appeared as a soloist) on October 24, 26, and 27. Rebecca Evans shares her review.
10.22.19 | Virginia Symphony Spans the Centuries
By Montague Gammon III Christmas day visits to Ella Fitzgerald’s house were a family routine for young Edwin Outwater, who will conduct the Virginia Symphony’s Brahms + Pulitzer concerts this month. Having a mother who worked for “The First Lady of Song” – herself a...
9.16.10 | Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s 2019-2020 Season Opener, Rachmaninoff and Ravel
On Friday night, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra launched its 99th season with a program called "Rachmaninoff and Ravel." The occasion also marked conductor and music director JoAnn Falletta's final opening night with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra after 28 years of...
8.20.19 | Virginia Symphony Orchestra sending summer out with a bang
by Eric Feber How does Chesapeake bid summer a fond farewell during the Labor Day weekend? In a truly symphonic manner. As summer fades, Chesapeake and Hampton Roads music lovers of all ages will gather in front of the Buddy Bagley Stage at City Park, 900 City Park...
7.23.19 | Virginia Symphony Orchestra gets $80,000 grant to hold sensory-friendly concerts
by Amy Poulter The Virginia Symphony Orchestra has received an $80,000 grant that will help it become more sensory-friendly to patrons. The grant from the League of American Orchestras will allow the symphony to present three concerts to "celebrate neurodiversity...
Find YOUR Reason to go to the Virginia Symphony Orchestra
Patrons of the Virginia Symphony describe some of the reasons they go to the Virginia Symphony’s concerts. Watch what they have to say, then Find YOUR Reason.
Find YOUR Reason to Give to the Virginia Symphony Orchestra
The Virginia Symphony relies on the generosity of individuals in the community to ensure that we continue to bring premiere world-class music to Hampton Roads and to directly impact the lives of students and residents of our community through the our education and community outreach programs. In this video you will hear three of our patrons describe the reasons they give to the Virginia Symphony. Have you found YOUR reason?
JoAnn Falletta: 20 Years of Magic with the Virginia Symphony
A loving tribute from friends and musicians as JoAnn Falletta celebrates her 20th season as Music Director of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra.
A special message to the people of Japan from Music Director JoAnn Falletta
In light of the tragic events taking place in Japan due to the earthquake and tsunami, VSO Music DirectorJoAnn Falletta has recorded a special message to the people of Japan from the Virginia Symphony. Several of our musicians have family members living in Japan, and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time. Special thanks to Hitomi Tsuchiya, our principal librarian, for providing the translation.
Virginia Symphony Orchestra Education Programs
The Music of David Bowie Pre-Party
The Music of David Bowie
Cameron Carpenter 2016
Shostakovich Five • 5/8-5/10
Friday, May 8, 2020 | Chrysler Hall, Norfolk | 8PMSaturday, May 09, 2020 | Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News | 8PMSunday, May 10, 2020 | Sandler Center for the Arts, Virginia Beach | 2:30PM Hailed by The New York Times as “an interpretive dynamo,” conductor...
The Music of Star Wars • 6/5
Friday, June 5, 2020 | Chrysler Hall, Norfolk | 7:30PM Back by popular demand, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra will perform music from the iconic film franchise Star Wars. Experience the entire saga through the films’ scores written by the legendary John Williams,...
RESCHEDULED: Beethoven “Emperor” and Symphony No. 9 “Choral” • 8/28-8/30
Friday, August 28, 2020 | Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News | 8PMSaturday, August 29, 2020 | Chrysler Hall, Norfolk | 8PMSunday, August 30, 2020 | Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, VA Beach | 2:30PM JoAnn Falletta finishes her final season as Music...
CommUNITY Play-In and Sing-Along • 9/13
Sunday, September 13, 2020 | Scope Arena, Norfolk | 4PM Pick up your instrument, bring your voice and join the Virginia Symphony Orchestra in a celebration of peace, inclusion and unity. This inspiring annual event embraces our community’s cultural richness and...
