Musicians from the Virginia Symphony Orchestra never cease to amaze, both on and off the stage. I’m fortunate to witness firsthand the compassion, educational insight, and energy they bring into schools across Hampton Roads through residency coaching and chamber music programs.

Time and again, teachers share how students light up when VSO musicians arrive, whether it’s the excitement of a live performance or the inspiration sparked by small group coaching sessions. These moments go far beyond music. Research consistently shows that meaningful arts engagement strengthens cognitive development, supports social-emotional growth, and fosters a sense of community, benefits that translate into improved attendance, higher graduation rates, and stronger academic achievement.

To our VSO musicians: thank you for inspiring and uplifting the students of Hampton Roads. And to our sponsors, grantors, and donors: your support makes this vital work possible and continues to enrich educational experiences throughout our region.

Each coaching session, each performance, and each moment of inspiration helps shape a brighter future for the students we serve across Hampton Roads. Thank you for believing in the power of music to educate, uplift, and transform lives.

Helen Martell,  Director of Education and Staff Conductor 

 A Celebration of Impact, Community, and Sound

A FULL HOUSE, A REMARKABLE PERFORMANCE,

AND A MOVING TRIBUTE TO JOAN BROCK AT THE 2026 PRESIDENT’S SOCIETY DINNER

On March 12, 2026, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra proudly welcomed our President’s Society members, benefactors whose generosity of $5,000 or more helps sustain and grow our mission, for an unforgettable evening at Slover Library.

With a full and vibrant room, the evening was a true celebration of philanthropy, artistry, and community.

A highlight of the evening, and a moment that will not soon be forgotten, was the presentation of the Instruments of Change Award to Mrs. Joan Brock.

This prestigious honor recognizes individuals whose leadership, generosity, and vision have made a transformational impact on the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and our broader community. Mrs. Brock embodies the very spirit of this award. Her lifelong commitment to advancing culture, education, healthcare, and environmental stewardship has shaped the fabric of our region in profound ways. Her support of the arts, including the VSO, stands as an inspiring example of what true philanthropy can achieve.

As she took the stage, the room rose in celebration, an unmistakable reflection of the admiration and gratitude shared by all in attendance. It was a powerful reminder that behind every great orchestra is a community of visionary supporters who make the music possible.

From the first note performed to the final toast shared, the President’s Society Dinner was a celebration not only of what we have accomplished together, but of what lies ahead.

To our leadership benefactors, we are deeply grateful. Your vision and generosity continue to transform lives, inspire audiences, and sustain a thriving future for the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. We are honored to celebrate you and grateful to have you as part of our VSO family.

A Life in Music: Celebrating Linda Hurwitz

After nearly four decades with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, violinist Linda Hurwitz is taking her final bow. A beloved musician, educator, and mentor across Southeastern Virginia, Linda’s career has left a lasting impression not only on our stages, but in classrooms and communities throughout the region.

We asked Linda to reflect on her journey with the VSO, her favorite moments, and what comes next.

Collaborations with the Virginia Arts Festival such as Mahler’s 8th Symphony at the College of William and Mary in the spring of 2012

WERE THERE ANY PARTICULAR PIECES OR CONCERTS THIS PAST SEASON THAT FELT ESPECIALLY MEANINGFUL AS YOU APPROACHED RETIREMENT?

Prokofiev’s 5th Symphony paired with Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto, two of my favorite works.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS THE VSO EVOLVED OR CHANGED SINCE YOU FIRST JOINED THE ORCHESTRA IN 1987?

The VSO, under the leadership of JoAnn Falletta, traveled to Carnegie Hall in NYC in 1997 and the Kennedy Center in Washington DC in 2000 and our musicians who experienced either or both tours would probably agree that the performances to full houses were very exciting. I spent many years performing and teaching in the schools and was able to share many VSO performing experiences with my students.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CAMARADERIE AND RELATIONSHIPS AMONG YOUR FELLOW MUSICIANS?

Camaraderie is developed over time and after long hours of rehearsal and performance. The VSO is a very friendly orchestra, led by our conductors Eric Jacobsen, Thomas Wilkins, and JoAnn Falletta. After our rehearsals and performances or on “days off” our VSO “family” meets at chamber music gatherings , on the running trail, at ball games, parties, picnics, bike rides, pot-luck lunches and other post-concert locations. Substitute or visiting musicians often remark on the wonderful camaraderie among players in the VSO.

ARE THERE ANY MEMORABLE OR FUNNY STORIES FROM YOUR TIME WITH THE VSO THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE?

Yes, indeed! Itzhak Perlman arrived at a rehearsal in Chrysler Hall (2009?) and asked if anyone “has a Wenger chair” (a popular orchestral chair designed to promote good playing posture) and I offered to bring him this exact chair for the performance that eve.  At the end of his performance and as he passed by me on stage after several standing ovations and bows, he whispered: “Thanks for the chair!”

Linda Hurwitz’s legacy extends far beyond the concert stage. Through her artistry, teaching, and dedication, she has helped shape generations of musicians and music lovers across our community.

We thank Linda for her extraordinary career with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and wish her all the best in this exciting next chapter.

Maestro’s Picks

Inside the VSO’s Spotify Playlist:

What Music Director Eric Jacobsen listening

to this April! 

From Fellow to Featured Soloist:

JALAYNE MITCHELL TAKES THE STAGE

There are moments when the impact of your support comes full circle, when a musician you’ve watched grow steps boldly into the spotlight. This April, we are thrilled to celebrate one of those moments.

Virginia Symphony Orchestra Fellow Jalayne Mitchell, cello, will premiere a brand-new concerto with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra on April 25 and 26, a remarkable milestone in any musician’s career, and especially meaningful for one of our own.

The work, Joe Jaxson, is a world premiere commission, a powerful new composition that will showcase Jalayne’s artistry across four evocative movements: Anchored • Raging Tides • Dreams • Anchored

To premiere a concerto, particularly a newly commissioned work, is a rare and defining opportunity. It signals not only technical excellence, but also artistic voice, trust, and rising influence within the orchestral field.

For those who have experienced Jalayne’s musicianship here in Southeastern Virginia, this moment feels both extraordinary and inevitable.

A REFLECTION OF YOUR IMPACT

Jalayne’s journey is more than a personal achievement, it is a reflection of what you make possible.

Through the Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s Fellows Program, emerging artists are given the opportunity to perform, grow, and connect with our community. They rehearse alongside professional musicians, engage with students, and bring music to audiences across our region.

And sometimes, as in Jalayne’s case, they take that experience and carry it onto a larger stage.

This is how impact grows:

• From rehearsal rooms to world premieres

• From community concerts to concerto debuts

• From potential to professional momentum

Your support helps create these pathways.

CELEBRATING WHAT COMES NEXT

As Jalayne prepares to step onto the stage in Allentown, she carries with her not only her talent, but the spirit of a community that believes in the power of music to shape futures. We could not be more proud.

If you’d like to learn more about the performance, you can explore details here!

At the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, every note we play carries the echo of your generosity. Because of you, a child hears the magic of live music for the very first time, a senior finds joy and comfort in familiar melodies, and families across Southeastern Virginia gather together to experience the power of an orchestra in full voice.

When you give, you’re not just supporting concerts. You’re investing in education, community, and connection. You are making it possible for more than 29,000 students to experience music in their schools, for neighborhoods to come alive with free community concerts, and for world-class performances to thrive right here at home. Your gift, in any amount, helps carry this legacy forward so that together we can share its beauty for generations to come.

Mozart’s Oboe Quartet & Beethoven’s Septet