Virginia Symphony Reorganizes to Enhance Broader Mission

HAMPTON ROADS, VA [Dec. 30, 2016] — The Virginia Symphony Orchestra announced today a staff reorganization to support a new focus on community service. 

Beginning Jan. 3, the VSO will merge the Artistic/Operations Department with Education and Community Engagement under a new heading, “Orchestra Activities,” that will encompass all of the VSO’s work in the community, both on and off the stage.

Dr. Christy Havens, who has served as Director of Education and Community Engagement since July of 2015, will lead the department as Director of Orchestra Activities.

In her new role, Havens will have oversight of the production and operations functions, including orchestra personnel and library, and education and community engagement.

“Throughout our recent strategic planning process, Christy played a leadership role in bringing to our attention emerging trends and best practices from orchestras around the country as they more deeply engage with their communities,” President and CEO Karen Philion said. “She has proven her ability to identify financial resources, connect with and engage community partners, and work collaboratively across departments and with our musicians.”

Havens earned her Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees from the University of Southern California and her Bachelor of Music from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Before joining the VSO, she had six years of experience programming educational concerts, two years coordinating operations and personnel for one of USC’s Thornton Outreach Programs, and three years as an orchestra library assistant.

As an educator, she has 20 years of varied experience: as private teacher, after-school program general music teacher, chamber music coach, conductor and college instructor. She is currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Old Dominion University. She is also a professional bassoonist, formerly with the Hyogo Performing Arts Center Orchestra in Japan and the Spokane Symphony, and she occasionally plays with the VSO.

“I have full confidence that as Christy turns her attention to a wider range of activities, her skill in maximizing opportunities that both accomplish our mission and drive revenue will help to build on our success over the past two years,” Philion said. “Christy’s skills, experience and passion align perfectly with our refocused mission.  She has the trust and respect of our musicians and our Music Director, and shares our vision of a future VSO that engages our musicians in new ways in the lives of even more Hampton Roads citizens.”

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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.