The Virginia Symphony Orchestra will perform a Holiday Concert in Chesapeake.
CHESAPEAKE, VA [December 1, 2025] The Virginia Symphony Orchestra, partnered with the City of Chesapeake Parks, Recreation & Tourism and sponsored by Carl’s Wash, will present a free performance of its Holiday Brass concert on December 18 at the Chesapeake Conference Center. The concert features holiday classics such as, “Spanish Dance” from The Nutcracker, and contemporary favorites like Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You, arranged for the Brass and Percussion sections of the orchestra.
“Holiday Brass is one of the biggest performance opportunities we get to do as a brass section,” says Acting VSO Principal Trombone Tanner Antonetti. “Not only do we showcase the full capabilities of the VSO brass section, but we also get to feature each individual instrument in the section. It’s quite the marathon of playing for us, but we always look forward to bringing this special program to our audiences across Hampton Roads.”
- Scott Wood returns from last year to conduct the concert series. Wood is currently Music Director and Conductor of the Arlington Philharmonic and the Amadeus Orchestra. He is also Director of Orchestral Activities at The George Washington University’s Corcoran School of Arts and Design. In 2023 the International Conductors Guild met in Valencia, Spain, and elected Wood to their board of directors. The Virginia Commission for the Arts has also lauded him as “an incredible talent.”
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra has had a long-standing partnership with the City of Chesapeake, performing annual free outdoor summer concerts and Holiday Brass performances. VSO Musicians also help coach and teach in Chesapeake Public Schools through the VSO’s School Orchestra Artistic Residency (SOAR) and Young People’s Concerts.
“We are honored to partner with the City of Chesapeake to bring the VSO’s world-class performances to the Chesapeake community. We also enjoy a wonderful collaboration with Chesapeake schools to mentor students and foster their passion for music”, says Virginia Symphony CEO and President Shannon Kelly. “These invaluable partnerships propel our mission to bring the transformative power of music to everyone in our region. It’s a joy to share the magic of the symphony with the Chesapeake community again this holiday season for what has become a beloved tradition for so many!”
Holiday Brass will be held on December 18th, 2025, at 7PM at the Chesapeake Conference Center, 700 Conference Center Dr, Chesapeake, VA 23320. This concert is free and open to all. Learn more at https://virginiasymphony.org/event/holiday-brass-at-chesapeake-25/
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As the region’s most celebrated musical, educational, and entrepreneurial arts organization, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra continues to challenge expectations and push the boundaries of what an American orchestra can be. Innovation and excellence are at the heart of the VSO’s narrative. The VSO has received national attention for its unique mission serving a home area of 1.7 million across the diverse communities of southeastern Virginia. Through appearances at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall and its commitment to adventurous programming, the VSO and its musicians have been highlighted in the media including The New York Times, The Washington Post, National Public Radio, and BBC Worldwide News.
As the largest performing arts organization in southeastern Virginia, the VSO and VSO Chorus present more than 150 concerts and events annually for more than 100,000 residents and visitors. Since 2019, the VSO has been recognized nationally for striving to reflect the region’s ethnic and racial diversity in its members, programming, and leadership. The Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s Fellowship Program for up to 4 early-career, underrepresented orchestral musicians work to advance the goal of increased diversity of orchestral musicians nationwide. This initiative is a continuation of the VSO’s commitment to creating extraordinary musical experiences with and for our entire community.
Celebrating his fifth year, Music Director Eric Jacobsen, The Macon and Joan Brock Chair, continues to expand the VSO’s vision to attract wider and larger audiences with engaging concert experiences and creative and relevant programming. Rounding out the artistic leadership team is Connie and Marc Jacobson Music Director Laureate JoAnn Falletta and Norfolk native Thomas Wilkins in the role of Principal Guest Conductor, reflecting the VSO’s commitment to tell its community’s stories and advance the important conversations that will promote understanding and belonging among all residents.
