The City of Norfolk & Virginia Symphony Orchestra hosts second annual event
HAMPTON ROADS, VA [AUGUST 17, 2018] – Whether voice or violin, guitar or trumpet, Norfolk is coming together around music to promote healing and peace Community musicians will perform alongside musicians of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and Virginia Symphony Chorus, for CommUNITY: A Play-in & Sing-along event on Sunday, August 26th from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Scope Arena.Registration will begin at 2:30 and an optional community rehearsal will take place between 3:30-4:00.
Created in 2017 in response to the violence in Charlottesville last August, this event embraces our community’s cultural richness and diversity, uniting people of all ages, faiths and backgrounds through participation in music, dance and spoken word. As a demonstration of brotherhood, unity and peace, we also commemorate 9-11 by celebrating the power of coming together as a community in the wake of tragedy.
The event is free and open to the public. Listeners will enjoy a wide variety of music from symphonic classics to spiritual hymns and patriotic songs. Performers joining the VSO and VSO Chorus include Teens With A Purpose, faith leaders of Hampton Roads, and Elbert Watson, Dance Master at Norfolk Academy, former dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and Artistic Director of the Elbert Watson Dance Company. Barbara Hamm-Lee who hosts “Another View” on WHRV-FM will serve as the emcee of the event and Mayor Kenny Alexander will be present for opening remarks. Community participants include musicians from Bay Youth Orchestras of Virginia, Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University, Norfolk Public Schools, Norfolk Street Choir, Symphonicity, Governor’s School for the Arts, church choirs, and many more.
Parking will be free for attendees at the Scope parking garage and the Charlotte Street garage.
Community musicians are encouraged to register and download their music to be seated with the orchestra. Go to www.norfolk.gov/unityconcert for registration information and concert details. No registration is required for audience members.
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Under the leadership of GRAMMY-winning music director JoAnn Falletta, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra is Virginia’s preeminent professional symphony orchestra with a mission of inspiring, educating and connecting audiences of all ages.
Founded in 1921, it is ranked in the top ten percent of professional orchestras nationwide and serves the entire Southeastern Virginia region with Classics, Pops and Family concert series in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Newport News and Williamsburg as well as performances in outlying Virginia and North Carolina communities, reaching nearly 150,000 concert-goers every year. Additionally, the orchestra annually reaches 45,000 children, students and lifelong learners with its education and community programs. The Virginia Symphony has performed at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center and is the cornerstone of the performing arts in Hampton Roads.
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August 17, 2018
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