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Virginia Symphony Orchestra

Symphony Notes

June 2026 | Edition 10

Thank You for a Brilliant Season

We’d Love Your Feedback!

Meet Minha Kim, Principal Flute

VSO Playlist: Musician’s Picks!

Teaching Moments with Maestro Thomas WIlkins

Music for Everyone this Summer!

Support Music Today!

Symphonic Snapshots

 Dear Friends,

We did it! The 2025/26 season is coming to a close and what a ride it has been. From sold-out nights at Chrysler Hall to Young People’s Concerts that made kids cheer, this season was truly something special.

None of it happens without you. Every ticket you buy, every gift you give, and every seat you fill keeps this music alive in Hampton Roads. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Now it’s time to rest, recharge, and get ready because the 2026/27 season is going to be amazing. We can’t wait to share it with you in September. Until then, enjoy the summer and keep listening!

Warmly,
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra

 

How Did We Do This Season?

Thank you for joining us for the 2025/26 season! What a year it was from Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto to Fire & Rain: Folk Anthems of the 70s to Dvořák’s New World Symphony with Gil & Orli Shaham. American spirit and symphonic brilliance at every turn.

The season wraps up this week, and we are so grateful you were part of it. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts as it helps us serve you better next year.

Two lucky people who complete the survey will each win a $100 Visa Gift Card and it takes just a few minutes!

TAKE THE SURVEY

 

Meet Minha Kim, Principal Flute

Next season, you’ll be hearing a lot more from VSO principal flutist Minha Kim. She’ll be stepping into the solo spotlight for Mozart’s Flute Concerto No. 1 and works by Strauss and she can’t wait.

Joining the Virginia Symphony Orchestra has truly been a dream come true. I previously participated in two orchestral training programs, New World Symphony in Miami Beach and Civic Orchestra of Chicago, hoping to be part of an ensemble like the VSO one day. From the very beginning, I felt a genuine sense of collaboration and artistry within the orchestra. My colleagues welcomed me so warmly, and I feel very fortunate to perform alongside such fantastic musicians every week.

Minha Kim

Principal Flute, Virginia Symphony Orchestra

Minha Kim
WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT MAKING MUSIC IN SOUSTEASTERN VIRGINIA?
One of the things I love the most is the opportunity to perform throughout the Hampton Roads region — from Norfolk and Virginia Beach to Newport News and Williamsburg. There is a real sense of pride in bringing music to many different communities across Virginia. The audiences here are always deeply engaged and enthusiastic, and it’s special to be part of an orchestra that connects with people in meaningful ways. I’m also inspired by the VSO’s commitment to education through its Young People’s Concerts across the region. Hearing the students’ excitement and cheers always makes my day.
 
WHY IS LIVE MUSIC, ESPECIALLY ORECHESTRAL MUSIC, SO IMPORTANT TO COMMUNITIES?
Live music creates a space where people can come together and experience something meaningful collectively. In a time when so much of life feels fast-paced and digital, I believe that the live music reminds us to slow down, appreciate the moment and connect with one another.
 
I also hope we continue to find new ways to engage and inspire future generations through orchestral music. Through performances, education programs, and community outreach, an orchestra becomes an important artistic presence within a community.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR MUSICAL STYLE OR APPROACH AS A FLUTIST?
As a principal player, I think a lot about balancing leadership and blending with other players — shaping the sound of the section while also listening and responding like a chamber musician. The collaborative aspect of orchestral playing is one of the things I find the most rewarding.
 
My approach as a flutist centers on storytelling and communication. I’m always thinking about how the flute can sing the melodic lines naturally and use different tone colors to bring out what the composer intended. As one of the highest voices in the woodwind section along with piccolo, we often get both soaring melodies and brilliant technical passages.
WHAT EXCITES YOU THE MOST ABOUT PERFORMING MOZART'S FLUTE CONCERTO No. 1?
What excites me the most is the opportunity to step into the soloist role with the colleagues I admire and respect so much. There’s something very special about sharing this music with musicians who know each other so well, because Mozart’s style depends so much on chamber-like communication.
 
HOW DOES THIS PIECE SHOWCASE THE FLUTE IN A UNIQUE OR SPECIAL WAY FOR AUDIENCES?
It’s interesting because Mozart wrote in a letter to his father that he did not enjoy writing for the flute, yet this concerto seems to suggest otherwise. The piece showcases the flute in so many different ways, revealing the instrument’s full expressive range. We can hear not only the brilliance and agility, but also the warmth and lyricism. This concerto is one of the cornerstone works of the flute repertoire and appears on nearly every audition list for a reason.
ARE THERE MOMENTS IN THE CONCERTO YOU PERSONALLY CONNECT WITH MOST?
 
I’ve always loved Mozart’s operas, and you can hear that operatic influence throughout this concerto — the flute line often feels like a singing voice. I especially connect with the lyrical passages in the second movement, which remind me of a soprano aria. Mozart writes with such purity and transparency that the music feels intimate and deeply personal. 
 
I also love the playful character of the final movement, where the dialogue between the soloist and orchestra becomes joyful and conversational. The concerto pairs beautifully with the other pieces on the program as we ring in the new year this season.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE AUDIENCES TAKE AWAY?
I hope the audience leaves feeling refreshed and emotionally connected. Live performances create such a unique experience that can bring people together in a powerful way. Whether someone is hearing this program for the first time or returning to familiar music, I hope they experience moments of beauty and joy. I also look forward to meeting audience members after the performance!
 
IF YOU COULD DESCRIBE THE MOZART & STRAUSS CONCERT IN THREE WORDS, WHAT WOULD THEY BE?

Joyful, Elegant. Celebratory.

That’s a peek inside the mind of one of the VSO’s own. Minha brings joy, heart, and incredible skill to every performance and next season, she’ll be front and center. We can’t wait for you to hear her. Keep an eye out for Mozart’s Flute Concerto No. 1 and her Strauss performances in the 2026/27 season lineup — it’s going to be a beautiful night of music. 

VIEW THE 26/27 SEASON HERE

Musician’s Picks

Inside the VSO’s Spotify Playlist:

What your VSO Musicians are listening to this summer!

Eric Jacobsen
LISTEN TO THE FULL PLAYLIST HERE

Thomas Wilkins: Out in the Community

When Thomas Wilkins isn’t on the podium, he’s out in the community and this month was a busy one. From university classrooms to middle school hallways to an open dress rehearsal, Thomas showed up for students all across Hampton Roads. He met with aspiring musicians, spoke to future music teachers, and welcomed young concertgoers to experience the VSO up close. This is what makes Maestro Wilkins so special — his love for music doesn’t stop when the concert ends.

Recent Education Events

DateEvent
May 6
Governor’s School for the Arts: Thomas rehearsed Sibelius’s “Finlandia” with 49 students with director Amanda Gates cheering them on. He was inspiring, encouraging, and got real musical results right on the spot!
May 7
Norfolk State University: Thomas joined a 4 PM discussion with students and faculty.
May 8
VSO Dress Rehearsal — Crestwood Middle School — Thomas welcomed students from Crestwood MS in Chesapeake to an open dress rehearsal and spoke with them during the break. A special VSO connection: Clarinet Fellow Alyssa Estrella and VSO Violinist Haley Stricker both coached at Crestwood this year!
May 9Baker’s Crust, Norfolk: Thomas had lunch with the VSO Fellows — a chance to connect, mentor, and share a meal.
 

It takes a whole community to make an orchestra thrive and Maestro Wilkins knows that better than anyone. By showing up for students, teachers, and Fellows alike, he reminds us that the VSO’s work goes far beyond the concert hall. We are so proud to welcome him to our artistic leadership!

 

The Fun Doesn’t Stop There!

While the 2025–26 season has come to a close, the music continues all summer long! Join the Virginia Symphony Orchestra across the region for a series of free outdoor performances celebrating the joy of live music. From Symphony Under the Stars to Symphony by the Sea and more, these family-friendly concerts bring the power of symphonic music to parks, waterfronts, and communities throughout Hampton Roads. Pack a blanket, gather your friends and family, and experience a summer filled with unforgettable music under the open sky.

Make Your Impact

Every gift to the Virginia Symphony Orchestra helps bring world-class music, transformative education, and meaningful community engagement to people across Southeastern Virginia. Your generosity makes it possible to:

  • – Reach more than 26,000 students annually through educational programs that inspire the next generation of musicians and music lovers.
  • – Present Young People’s Concerts for nearly 20,000 students each year, introducing children to the power of live orchestral music.
  • – Serve 194 schools across 14 school districts, ensuring access to music education throughout our region.
  • – Provide programs to more than 8,600 students in Title I schools, expanding opportunities for underserved communities.
  • – Offer free community performances throughout Southeast Virginia, bringing live music directly into neighborhoods, parks, and public spaces.
  • – Present more than 150 concerts and events annually across 18 cities and counties, enriching the cultural life of Southeastern VA.
  • – Impact over 100,000 residents and visitors each year through performances, education initiatives, and community programs.

When you give to the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, you’re investing in music education, cultural vitality, and unforgettable artistic experiences that strengthen our entire community.

DONATE TODAY!

Symphonic Snapshots

Take a look back at some of our favorite moments from the past month! From inspiring performances and educational programs to community events and special behind-the-scenes experiences, these photos capture the people, music, and memories that make the Virginia Symphony Orchestra so special. Thank you for being part of the VSO’s musical journey!

The Music of Star Wars

May 2-3, 2026

Happy Birthday, Hailstork!

April 30, 2026

Mary Goode Brooke Legacy Final Recital & Reception

May 12, 2026

Farewell Lunch for the 25/26 Fellows

May 29, 2026