Saint Bede Catholic Church
3686 Ironbound Road,
Williamsburg, VA 23188
Phone: (757) 229-3631
Parking: Parking available on site
Chrysler Hall
Upcoming Concerts at St. Bede Catholic Church
7.16.21 | THOMAS WILKINS NAMED PRINCIPAL GUEST CONDUCTOR OF THE VIRGINIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
THOMAS WILKINS NAMED PRINCIPAL GUEST CONDUCTOR OF THE VIRGINIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
HAMPTON ROADS, VA [July 16, 2021] – Internationally renowned conductor and Norfolk native Thomas Wilkins has been named the Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s first-ever Principal Guest Conductor. Having recently stepped down after 17 years as music director of the Omaha Symphony, Mr. Wilkins is currently principal conductor of the fabled Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, as well as Artistic Advisor for Education and Community Engagement at the Boston Symphony Orchestra. His guest conducting credits include leading the orchestras of Cleveland, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Dallas, the New York Philharmonic among others, in addition to his posts at the Hollywood Bowl and BSO.
A frequent guest conductor and favorite of VSO audiences, Mr. Wilkins credits a performance by the Virginia Symphony for inspiring him at the age of eight to pursue a career as a professional conductor, when he attended a youth concert as a student at Young Park Elementary in Norfolk (now Park Place Elementary).
“I often say that I didn’t choose music; music chose me,” said Mr. Wilkins. “And to be invited to return as a leader to the place where I made that decision to embrace music as a career and way of life so many years ago is incredibly moving for me. I have enormous love and respect for the musicians of the Virginia Symphony and I’m thrilled and honored to join them in this new role.”
Mr. Wilkins joins the organization at an exciting time as the orchestra begins its second century. Since 2019, the VSO has been recognized nationally for striving to reflect the region’s ethnic and racial diversity in its members, its programming, and its leadership.
The appointment of Wilkins as not only the orchestra’s first Principal Guest Conductor but its first Black artistic leader comes just weeks after 38-year-old Eric Jacobsen was selected as the VSO’s new music director, another bold step toward expanding the VSO’s vision to engage wider audiences with creative and relevant programming.
In announcing the appointment, VSO Board Chair Mike McClellan said, “This is a true dream team! Eric and Thomas share the VSO’s commitment to telling our community’s stories and advancing the important conversations that will promote understanding and belonging among all our residents.”
The symphony will host a welcome event for Mr. Wilkins on Monday, July 19th at 4:30pm at the Chrysler Hall Dress Circle Lobby, with a special performance by the Boys Choir of Hampton Roads, led by Julius McCullough. Free and open to the public; please RSVP by registering here.
Devoted to promoting a life-long enthusiasm for music, Mr. Wilkins brings energy and commitment to audiences of all ages. He is hailed as a master at communicating and connecting with audiences. Following his highly successful first season with the Boston Symphony, the Boston Globe named him among the “Best People and Ideas of 2011.” In 2014, Mr. Wilkins received the prestigious “Outstanding Artist” award at the Nebraska Governor’s Arts Awards for his significant contribution to music in the state, while in 2018 Mr. Wilkins received the Leonard Bernstein Lifetime Achievement Award for the Elevation of Music in Society conferred by Boston’s Longy School of Music. And in 2019 the Virginia Symphony bestowed Mr. Wilkins with its annual Dreamer Award.
During his conducting career, Mr. Wilkins has led orchestras throughout the United States, including the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Cincinnati Symphony, and the National Symphony. Additionally, he has guest conducted the Philadelphia and Cleveland Orchestras, the Symphonies of Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Baltimore, San Diego and Utah, and the Buffalo and Rochester Philharmonics, as well as at the Grant Park Music Festival in Chicago.
Mr. Wilkins is a graduate of the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music and the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. He and his wife Sheri-Lee are the proud parents of twin daughters, Erica and Nicole. Mr. Wilkins’ first appearance with the orchestra in his new role will be February 18-20, 2022. Tickets will be on sale in mid-August at www.virginiasymphony.org.
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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. Since the ground-breaking appointment of JoAnn Falletta in 1991, innovation and excellence have been 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 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.
The largest performing arts organization in southeastern Virginia, the VSO and VSO Chorus present more than 150 concerts and events annually to educate, enlighten and entertain more than 100,000 residents and visitors. Recent innovations include health and wellness programs, including interactive therapeutic experiences for people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and adopting welcoming concert environments for those who are neurodiverse.
For Immediate Release
July 16, 2021
Contact: Kristen Bennington
Director of Marketing & Communications
Phone: 757.213.1411|
email: kbennington@virginiasymphony.org
Twitter: @VASymphony | Facebook: facebook.com/virginiasymphony
Twitter: @VASymphony
Facebook: facebook.com/virginiasymphony
Virginia Symphony Orchestra Takes Center Stage This Wednesday on ‘A Local Touch’
Join WHRO-FM 90.3 this Wednesday evening at 9:00 for an enthralling concert featuring the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, conducted by maestro Eric Jacobsen.
Raymond Jones will open the night with “To Call the Rain,” a work commissioned by the orchestra from Juhi Bansal. According to the Indian composer, this piece gets its title from a Hindustani tradition “of music that, when played with intention and inspiration, holds the capacity to invoke rain”. Bansal imagines “this ritual in orchestral sound… a melodic voice grows from gentle patter to downpour, as movement and flow, drops and ripples, and lush textures fill the space.”
Virginia Symphony Orchestra Holds Free Summer Concerts
HAMPTON ROADS, VIRGINIA [June 24, 2022] – The Virginia Symphony Orchestra will perform free concerts at scenic outdoor venues across Hampton Roads – including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Williamsburg, Chesapeake, and Yorktown – as part of their Free Summer Concerts series.
This year’s concerts are presented in partnership with Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, Festevents, the City of Williamsburg and the College of William & Mary, Celebrate Yorktown Committee, and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism of the City of Chesapeake, Virginia. The performances take place from July through September and are free and open to the public.
Each concert program is curated around a theme like tunes from beloved animated films, a symphonic tribute to the Paris 2024 Summer Games, wedding music favorites, or music inspired by classic literature and cinema. For these performances, the orchestra will be joined by conductors Morihiko Nakahara, Todd Craven, Helen Martell, and Brandon Eldredge, and will welcome the vocals of local favorite BJ Griffin on August 15.,
For more information, visit virginiasymphony.org.
Summer Concert Schedule:
Once Upon a Symphony Symphonic Summer Games
Virginia Beach – Oceanfront
July 11, 2024 – 7:30 PM
Part of the Symphony by the Sea Concert Series presented by the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival
Where Wishes Come True: A Night of Enchanted Melodies
Norfolk – Town Point Park
July 21, 2024 – 8:30 PM
Presented by Festevents
Where Wishes Come True: A Night of Enchanted Melodies
Virginia Beach – Oceanfront
July 25, 2024 – 7:30 PM
Part of the Symphony by the Sea Concert Series presented by the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival
Wedding Bells and Pachelbel
Virginia Beach – Oceanfront
August 15, 2024 – 7:30 PM
Part of the Symphony by the Sea Concert Series presented by the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival
Once Upon a Symphony
Williamsburg – Lake Matoaka Amphitheater
August 30, 2024 – 7:30 PM
Presented by the City of Williamsburg and William & Mary
Once Upon a Symphony
Yorktown – Riverwalk Landing
August 31, 2024 – 7:30 PM
Presented by the Celebrate Yorktown Committee
Once Upon a Symphony
Chesapeake – Chesapeake City Park
September 1, 2024 – 7:30 PM
Presented by the City of Chesapeake
Once Upon a Symphony
Virginia Beach – Oceanfront
September 3, 2024 – 7:30 PM
Part of the Symphony by the Sea Concert Series presented by the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival
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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. Recent innovations include health and wellness programs, including interactive therapeutic experiences for people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and adopting welcoming concert environments for those who are neurodiverse. Since 2019, the VSO has been recognized nationally for striving to reflect the region’s ethnic and racial diversity in its members, its programming, and its leadership.
The selection of the young and dynamic conductor Eric Jacobsen as music director in 2021 was another bold step forward for the VSO, further expanding its vision to attract wider and larger audiences with engaging concert experiences and creative and relevant programming. Rounding out the artistic leadership team is 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.
Neptune Festival to host its 13th annual Symphony By the Sea in Virginia Beach
The Neptune Festival is hosting its 13th annual Symphony By the Sea at 31st Street and Atlantic Avenue.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A free concert series is coming to Virginia Beach Oceanfront!
The Neptune Festival is hosting its 13th annual Symphony By the Sea at 31st Street and Atlantic Avenue starting in July.
“This concert series is a cherished tradition within our community,” said Kit Chope, CEO of the Neptune Festival. “Now in our 50th year, we are delighted to once again showcase the remarkable talents of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and Symphonicity. Residents and visitors alike can enjoy world-class performances and enjoy cool oceanfront breezes from the comfort of their beach chairs or blankets. We invite everyone to come out and enjoy these magical evenings.”
This Wednesday on ‘A Local Touch’: the Virginia Symphony Orchestra
Join us this Wednesday evening at 9:00 on WHRO-FM 90.3 for A Local Touch, our weekly celebration of Virginia’s rich musical heritage. Hosted by the esteemed Raymond Jones, this edition features a lineup of extraordinary classical performances that you won’t want to miss.
The evening begins with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Eric Jacobsen, performing Debussy’s enchanting “Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun.” This captivating piece sets the stage for a night of exceptional music. Next, revel in the brilliance of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20, featuring the remarkable talents of keyboard virtuoso and naval aviator Alex Beyer. The VSO will also present Sergei Rachmaninoff’s “Symphonic Dances,” a powerful and dynamic work that showcases the orchestra’s versatility and passion.
Symphony Under the Stars draws 2,000
Gloucester Arts Festival and The Cook Foundation held the annual “Symphony Under the Stars” free family concert Saturday night, attracting a crowd of 2,000, according to festival representatives, to enjoy a Broadway Celebration with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra.
The Liberty Dolls, a local group, was the concert’s opening act at 6 o’clock, singing several songs from the ’50s and ’60s, including “Dream a Little Dream of Me” and “Mr. Sandman.”
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra took the stage at 8, performing Broadway hits from West Side Story, Carmen, Chicago, The Sound of Music, The Little Mermaid and more. The symphony was conducted by Benjamin Rous with vocals provided by Patrice Covington.
Symphony Under the Stars Saturday in Gloucester
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s Symphony Under the Stars, one of the signature events of the Gloucester Arts Festival, will take place on Saturday, beginning at 7 p.m. on the lawn at Main Street and Walter Reed Way in Gloucester.
The local group Liberty Dolls will open the concert, performing at 6 o’clock. A food truck will be on-site from 6-9, but those attending are also encouraged to pick up a to-go meal at one of Gloucester’s Main Street restaurants and enjoy a picnic on the lawn.
Lawn chairs are suggested rather than blankets because there could be wet areas, and food tables are allowed but should be taken down when the concert begins.
Concertmaster Vahn Armstrong will transition into a new role in the Virginia Symphony Orchestra
HAMPTON ROADS, VA [May 14, 2024] Today the Virginia Symphony Orchestra announced that Vahn Armstrong is stepping down after 31 years leading the ensemble as Concertmaster. He will remain in the VSO as Concertmaster Emeritus in the third chair of the First Violin section.
During his tenure thus far, Vahn has led the VSO to Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center, and through countless Young People’s Concerts and opera tours. He has been featured as a soloist in an astonishing range of significant concertos over the years, including works by Beethoven, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Prokofiev, Barber, and many more.
“It has indeed been an honor and a privilege to serve as Concertmaster for the Virginia Symphony these last thirty-one years,” expressed Armstrong. “It is a wonderful orchestra, made up of wonderful people. I am so proud of all we have been able to accomplish together artistically over three decades and recall fondly so many moments of camaraderie and friendship, as well as many performances of beauty, excitement, and emotional and sonic power. Any success I may have had in leading the orchestra over the years is entirely dependent upon the abundant goodwill and astonishing commitment to excellence of my colleagues, on stage and off, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.”
The Concertmaster holds the highest leadership position among all of the musicians in the orchestra. They are the leader of the first violin section and they make decisions regarding bowings, phrasing, and articulation for the entire string section. They lead the orchestra in tuning before concerts and rehearsals, and they serve as the conduit between the conductor and the orchestra. While a conductor may be shaping the contours of a work, the Concertmaster helps to lead the ensemble in real-time in the logistics of bringing the conductor’s vision to life. They hold a unique leadership position that contributes to the overall unity and cohesiveness of the ensemble.
A few members of the VSO’s artistic and administrative teams past and present expressed their thanks to Vahn and shared some of their thoughts about his tenure as Concertmaster.
“I have learned so much from working with Vahn, especially about artistic advocacy and diplomacy,” stated Christy Havens, the VSO’s Executive Vice President & General Manager. “He always held me accountable and to a high standard, and I have depended on his thoughtful leadership. I hope he will continue to lend me a few well-chosen words of advice (spoken with the ultimate gravitas).”
“Vahn is a great leader, a wonderful musician, and an eloquent and gracious gentleman,” said Karen Philion, former CEO & President of the VSO. “I’ve always enjoyed our conversations on all things VSO – artistic and institutional. The position of Concertmaster is of major significance to any orchestra, and I am grateful that Vahn was in that role during my time as CEO.”
VSO Music Director Laureate JoAnn Falletta stated, “I feel very fortunate to have collaborated with Vahn Armstrong as my concertmaster for almost my entire tenure with the Virginia Symphony. His arrival in 1993 brought the orchestra to a new level of artistry, and he was an extraordinary musical partner to me throughout those years. Vahn’s background as an outstanding quartet player was always evident in his subtlety, his exquisite musicianship, his sense of color, his stylistic sensitivity, and his musical imagination. His leadership was exemplary, and I will cherish the memories of his wonderful concerto performances during his tenure as well.”
VSO Music Director Eric Jacobsen expressed, “The first time I got to work with Vahn was when I guest conducted in 2018; we played Scheherazade, and I think the only thing more impressive than Vahn’s solo on this piece was his clear understanding of leadership with the orchestra! I feel so lucky to have gotten to work with Vahn in an even deeper way over the past several years. I’ve learned so much from him and think it is so thrilling now to get to do one more Scheherazade together in a couple of weeks. Bravo, Vahn!”
Vahn will continue to serve as Concertmaster until a successor has been appointed – the search for whom will begin with an audition September 17-18, 2024, and will continue with trial weeks throughout the season. Full information on the Concertmaster audition will be posted to the VSO’s website on June 1.
Don’t miss Vahn at the VSO’s last performances of the 23/24 season.
Romeo & Juliet with JoAnn Falletta
Friday, May 17, 2024 7:30PM – Ferguson Center, NN
Saturday, May 18, 2024 7:30PM – Wilder Performing Arts Center, Norfolk
Chris Thile (Co-production with Virginia Arts Festival)
Thursday, June 13, 2024 7:30PM – Chrysler Hall, Norfolk
Friday, June 14, 2024 7:30PM – Sandler Center, VB
Saturday, June 15, 2024 7:30PM – Ferguson Center, NN
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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. Recent innovations include health and wellness programs, including interactive therapeutic experiences for people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and adopting welcoming concert environments for those who are neurodiverse. Since 2019, the VSO has been recognized nationally for striving to reflect the region’s ethnic and racial diversity in its members, its programming, and its leadership.
The selection of the young and dynamic conductor Eric Jacobsen as music director earlier this year was another bold step forward for the VSO, further expanding its vision to attract wider and larger audiences with engaging concert experiences and creative and relevant programming. Rounding out the artistic leadership team is 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.
Virginia Symphony Orchestra Presents 2024/25 Season
HAMPTON ROADS, VA [March 4, 2024] – The future of the VSO shines brightly. Today the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and Music Director, Eric Jacobsen announced details of the 2024/25 season. Patrons should look forward to a season full of joy, live music to enjoy together, and new voices such as Adrienne Warren and Aoife O’Donovan. With favorites like Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, Handel’s Messiah, and The Music of Star Wars. Alongside new additions such as Sanit-Saens Organ Symphony, Psycho in Concert, Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony, and much more.
This season opens with Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition where….(?) and our season closes with Mahler’s Ninth Symphony. This symphony has been called sublime, lush, and mind-blowing. It is, “one of the greatest accomplishments of humanity- on par with architectural masterpieces like the Taj Mahal and the Duomo in Florence,” says our Music Director, Eric Jacobsen.
“This season broadcasts that the orchestra truly is for everyone,” says VSO’s Chair of the Board, Tim Faulkner. “We strive for inclusivity and musical excellence and I believe this year’s program reflects that. We want to show respect for the classics while also looking to the future. We hope to capture the beauty of music this season by showcasing not only tried and true compositions, but also by performing world premiers and highlighting up-and-coming artists.
This year we are introducing Coffee Concerts! Coffee Concerts feature all the artistic mastery of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, at a convenient time! Enjoy refreshments before the performance.
*Denotes a Coffee Concert and the pieces that will be played.
24/25 Season Planning
Opening Weekend: Pictures at an Exhibition
Friday, September 13, 2024, 7:30pm – Ferguson Center
Sunday, September 15, 2024, 2:30pm – Sandler Center
Eric Jacobsen, conductor
Valerie Coleman: Fanfare for Uncommon Times
Mason Bates: Philharmonia Fantastique
Modest Mussorgsky/Maurice Ravel: Pictures at an Exhibition
Beethoven’s Violin Concerto with Eric & Colin Jacobsen + COFFEE
Friday, September 20, 2024, 11am – Chrysler Hall*
Friday, September 20, 2024, 7:30pm – Chrysler Hall
Saturday, September 21, 2024, 7:30pm – Ferguson Center
Eric Jacobsen, conductor
Colin Jacobsen, violin
Ludwig van Beethoven: Coriolan Overture
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony 4
Ludwig van Beethoven: Violin Concerto
Saint-Saëns’ Organ Symphony
Friday, October 18, 2024, 7:30pm – Chrysler Hall
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 7:30pm – Ferguson Center
Sunday, October 20, 2024, 2:30pm – Sandler Center
JoAnn Falletta, conductor
Brendon Elliott, violin
Virginia Symphony Orchestra Chorus
Lili Boulanger: Psalm 24
Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges: Violin Concerto in A major, Op.5 No 2
Camille Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3, “Organ”
Psycho in Concert: Film with Orchestra
Saturday, October 26, 2024, 7:30pm – Ferguson Center
Sunday, October 27, 2024, 2:30pm – Sandler Center
Enjoy Hitchcock’s timeless thriller projected on the big screen as the Virginia Symphony Orchestra performs Bernard Herrmann’s spine-tingling score live. Take in every twist and turn as Marion is plunged into a world of crime, suspense, and murder all set to one of the most iconic film scores of all time.
PBJ Halloween Spooktacular
Sunday, October 27, 2024, 3:00pm – Sandler Center
Helen Martell, conductor
Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony
Friday, November 1, 2024, 7:30pm – Chrysler Hall
Saturday, November 2, 2024, 7:30pm – Ferguson Center
Sunday, November 3, 2024, 2:30pm – Sandler Center
Thomas Wilkins, conductor
Michelle Cann, piano
Maurice Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin
Franz Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 2
Appalachian Spring & Aoife O’Donovan + Coffee Concert*
*Friday, November 15, 2024, 11am – Ferguson Center
Friday, November 15, 2024, 7:30pm – Ferguson Center
Eric Jacobsen, conductor
Aoife O’Donovan, vocalist
Aaron Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man*
Aoife O’Donovan: America Come
Aaron Copland: Appalachian Spring*
A Gospel Christmas featuring a Tribute to Richard Smallwood
Saturday, December 7, 2024, 7:30pm – Chrysler Hall
Henry Panion, III, conductor
Gospel Choir led by Minister Earl Bynum
Holiday POPS!
Thursday, December 12, 2024, 7:30pm – Ferguson Center
Saturday, December 14, 2024, 7:30pm – Chrysler Hall
Sunday, December 15, 2024, 7:30pm – Sandler Center
Robert Shoup, conductor
Join us for the must-see holiday tradition of the season – Holiday POPS! There’s no better way to lift your spirits than with seasonal songs and traditional carols delivered in full sound and spectacle by the Virginia Symphony and special guests. Holiday POPS will have all the magical elements you’ve come to expect and more – high energy, familiar carols, and lots of holiday warmth! And we’ll even throw in a surprise or two! We can’t wait to celebrate the 2024 holiday season together!
PBJ: Jingle Bell Jam
Sunday, December 15, 2024, 3:00pm – Sandler Center
Helen Martell, conductor
Handel’s Messiah
Thursday, December 19, 2024 7:30pm – VB
Friday, December 20, 2024 7:30pm – First Baptist Church Newport News
Saturday, December 21, 2024 7:30pm – Harrison Opera House
Anthony Parnther, conductor
George Frideric Handel: Messiah
PBJ: Dancing Princesses
Sunday, January 26, 2025, 3:00pm – Sandler Center
Helen Martell, conductor
Dancing in the Street: The Music of Motown
Friday, January 31, 2025, 7:30pm – Chrysler Hall
Saturday, February 1, 2025, 7:30pm – Ferguson Center
Experience the magic of MOTOWN! This program features smash hits made famous by artists like Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, Martha Reeves, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, The Temptations, and the one and only Stevie Wonder. Songs include “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” “Dancing In The Street,” “I Heard it Through The Grapevine,” “My Girl,” “Superstition” and more. You’ll be transformed by the powerful music of Motown with these authentic arrangements and exciting, young talented singers.
Piano Superstar Yuja Wang + Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and Romeo & Juliet
Saturday, February 8, 2025, 7:30pm – Ferguson Center
Eric Jacobsen, conductor
Yuja Wang, piano
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Selections from Swan Lake
Igor Stravinsky: Movements for Piano and Orchestra
Igor Stravinsky: Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet Overture-Fantasy
Igor Stravinsky: Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra
A Night Honoring Tina Turner with Adrienne Warren
Saturday, March 1, 2025, 7:30pm – Chrysler Hall
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra celebrates the legacy of the iconic Tina Turner and the countless artists she inspired with Adrienne Warren, Hampton Roads native and Tony Award winner for Tina: The Tina Turner Musical.
West Side Story Symphonic Dances + Coffee*
Friday, March 14, 2025, 11am – Ferguson Center
Friday, March 14, 2025, 7:30pm – Ferguson Center
Sunday, March 16, 2025, 2:30pm – Sandler Center
Eric Jacobsen, conductor
Michael Daniels, cello
Hurrah Players
Richard Strauss: Don Quixote *
Leonard Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story
Maurice Ravel: La Valse
Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony
Friday, March 28, 2025, 7:30pm – Chrysler Hall
Saturday, March 29, 2025, 7:30pm – Ferguson Center
Sunday, March 30, 2025, 2:30pm – Sandler Center
Thomas Wilkins, conductor
Demarre McGill, flute
Missy Mazzoli: Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres)
C.P.E. Bach: Concerto for Flute in D minor
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphony No. 41, “Jupiter”
PBJ: Sleepover at the Museum
Sunday, April 6, 2025, 3:00pm – Sandler Center
Helen Martell, conductor
Symphonie Fantastique + Coffee*
*Friday, April 11, 2025, 11am – Ferguson Center
Friday, April 11, 2025, 7:30pm – Ferguson Center
Saturday, April 12, 2025, 7:30pm – Sandler Center
Eric Jacobsen, conductor
Virginia Symphony Orchestra Chorus
Anna Clyne: This Moment
John Adams: Harmonium
Hector Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique*
The Music of Star Wars
Saturday, May 3, 2025, 7:30pm – Ferguson Center
Sunday, May 4, 2025, 2:30pm – Sandler Center
Mahler’s Ninth Symphony
Friday, May 9, 2025, 7:30pm – Ferguson Center
Saturday, May 10, 2025, 2:30pm – Sandler Center
Gustav Mahler’s Ninth Symphony has been called sublime, lush, and mind-blowing. For Eric Jacobsen, Music Director of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, it is “one of the greatest accomplishments of humanity—on par with architectural masterpieces like the Taj Mahal and the Duomo in Florence.” Recently diagnosed with a terminal heart condition, Mahler composed his Ninth Symphony, his final completed symphony, while confronting his own mortality. The emotional work takes the listener on a musical journey from the beauty of life to the tranquility of the great unknown. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear this monumental masterpiece LIVE with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra!
Co-presented with the Virginia Arts Festival
Virginia Symphony Orchestra Presents Annual Concert Honoring Visionary Civil Rights Leader Martin Luther King Jr.
HAMPTON ROADS, VIRGINIA [January 4, 2024] – The Virginia Symphony Orchestra will present its annual concert paying homage to the life of visionary civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on January 14th & 21st, 2024.
A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be held Sunday, January 14th, 2024, at 7 PM in the Second Calvary Baptist Church, located at 2940 Corprew Ave in Norfolk, Virginia.
A second concert will be held Sunday, January 21st at 4 PM at I. C. Norcom High School, located at 1801 London Blvd in Portsmouth, Virginia.
These concerts are FREE, but registration is encouraged.
Presented in collaboration with the City of Norfolk, and the City of Portsmouth, these concerts will feature Conductor, Everett McCorvey, Patrick Riddick & D’vyne Worship, the Amandla Quartet, and soloists including youth soloist Summer Littles, and vocalist Alicia Russell Tagert.
Speakers during this concert will include Host Pastor, Rev. Geoffrey Guns, Second Calvary Baptist Church-Norfolk, VA; Pastor Jerome Barber, Sixth Mt. Zion Baptist Church-Hampton, VA; Pastor Robert Lee, Collinsworth Agape Baptist Church-Portsmouth, VA; and Pastor Jamaar Jones, First Baptist East End-Newport News, VA.
Dr. McCorvey is the founder and Music Director of the American Spiritual Ensemble, a group of 24 professional singers performing spirituals and other compositions of African American composers dedicated to keeping the American Negro Spiritual alive. McCorvey’s selections for this concert focus on music that celebrates African American compositions and the people who helped it thrive through the centuries.
Other selections for this concert include Antonin Dvorák’s, “Concerto in A Minor for Violin & Orchestra,
Paul Moravec’s “Rain” from Sanctuary Road, and William Grant Still’s, “Festive Overture.” William Grant Still is a descendant of William Still a conductor for the Underground Railroad, and writer of Sanctuary Road.
Additionally, Patrick Riddick & D’vyne Worship will perform his arrangement of “The Best is Yet to Come,” and…(awaiting second selection) The Amandla Quartet will also perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
The VSO will present its annual Dreamer Award to both Captain Janet Days at the Norfolk, VA performance and to Dr. Darlene Spears Washington at the Portsmouth, VA performance.
Capt. Janet H. Days, a native of Chicago, graduated summa cum laude from Old Dominion University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Business and received her commission through Naval ROTC via the Enlisted Commissioning Program. She holds a Master of Business Administration from the Naval Postgraduate School and concurrently earned the Naval War College command and staff diploma. She is also a graduate of the Joint and Combined Warfighting School at Joint Forces Staff College and is a qualified joint specialty officer.
To learn more about this free concert, visit virginiasymphony.org or call 757.892.6366.
These performances are supported in part by the Arts Alliance, the Newport News Arts Commission, the York County Arts Commission, the Williamsburg Area Arts Commission, the City of Norfolk, the Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission and the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. Funding also provided by Sentara Healthcare, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s Regional Presenting Partner for our 2022-2023 season.
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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 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. Recent innovations include health and wellness programs, including interactive therapeutic experiences for people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and adopting welcoming concert environments for those who are neurodiverse. Since 2019, the VSO has been recognized nationally for striving to reflect the region’s ethnic and racial diversity in its members, its programming, and its leadership.
The selection of the young and dynamic conductor Eric Jacobsen as music director in 2021 was another bold step forward for the VSO, further expanding its vision to attract wider and larger audiences with engaging concert experiences and creative and relevant programming. Rounding out the artistic leadership team is 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.
Holiday Brass
Join us for the must-see holiday tradition of the season! There’s no better way to lift your spirits than with seasonal songs and traditional carols delivered in full sound and spectacle by the Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Brass.
The bold sounds of the Virginia Symphony brass section ring in the holidays with a blast! Experience the festive sounds of the season in a concert filled with wit, virtuosity, and the glorious music of the holidays—featuring the VSO brass and percussion sections in an all-new program. You’ll enjoy music from a variety of styles that have made this concert a new holiday tradition!
Paul Bhasin, conductor
