Welcome to The Richmond Symphony School of Music
Founded in the summer of 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Richmond Symphony School of Music (RSSoM) launched as a virtual platform to bring music learning and community connection to students across Central Virginia and beyond. Today, RSSoM has grown into the central hub for all educational and community programming under the Richmond Symphony.
Although not a traditional brick-and-mortar institution, RSSoM represents the Symphony’s commitment to providing accessible, inclusive, and meaningful music education. Its wide-ranging programs span performance, learning, and exposure for all ages and income levels—from our flagship Youth Orchestra Program and in-school Educational Ensembles, to adult enrichment opportunities and free community events. The School of Music also maintains one fully virtual offering, the Companion Course, designed to foster deep listening and engagement through guided online exploration.
Each year, RSSoM reaches thousands of students through school-based performances, Hopkins-Eggleston Discovery concerts, and after-school programs, while also supporting emerging musicians through chamber music, masterclasses, and mentorship. From second graders picking up an instrument for the first time to high schoolers preparing for conservatory auditions, RSSoM reflects our vision for a vibrant, music-connected region.
Led by a dedicated team of musicians, educators, administrators, and community partners, RSSoM is helping redefine what a community music school can be: not confined to one building, but embedded in the life of a city—changing lives through the power of music.
Two opportunities to see Central Virginia's premiere orchestral training program in action
Virtual auditions for the 2021-2022 season:
Tuesday, June 15 @ 5pm
Tuesday, June 22 @ 5pm
We are proud to share that TEN of our Youth Orchestra Program students were accepted into All-Virginia Band, Chorus, and Orchestra this year! Congratulations are in order for the following students:
Isaiah Coles, RSYO tuba
Sylvie Dow, RSYO harp
Hayley Dunn, RSYO violin
Nisarg Shah, RSYO violin
Audrey Tang, YCO clarinet
Trip Taylor, RSYO clarinet
Fielding Teague, RSYO violin
Peize Wang, RSYO clarinet
Peter Yanovitch, RSYO double bass
Annie Yuan, RSYO violin
Qualifying for All-Virginia Band, Chorus, and Orchestra is not an easy task. To participate in All-Virginia, students must first audition for and be placed into both their district and regional orchestra, band, or chorus. Students who place into both of those ensembles are then eligible to audition for the All-Virginia event in April, competing against students from across the state for a limited number of seats. Students who successfully audition for this event represent the highest caliber of playing among high school musicians in Virginia. This level of accomplishment is not possible without years of practice, dedication, and support from students’ school and private music teachers.
Congratulations to Isaiah, Sylvie, Hayley, Nisarg, Audrey, Trip, Fielding, Peize, Peter, and Annie for their musical achievements! We are so proud of our young musicians and grateful to have them as members of our Youth Orchestra Program.
@nkcps @henricocountyschools @drhsmusic @deep_run_trim @mlwgsorch @cougarsinthearts @rvasymphony #RichmondSymphonyYouthOrchestraProgram #YouthOrchestraProgram #Orchestra #Band #AllVA #Clarinet #Tuba #Violin #DoubleBass #Harp
Question: Do you want to join the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program? No wrong answers allowed here—the only answer is YES! ✨
This June is your chance to audition for our five YOP ensembles—our two string orchestras, our two full orchestras, or our Percussion Ensemble. Any young musician ages 8 to 21 in the central Virginia region is eligible to audition either online or in person on Saturday, June 7. In-person audition sign-ups are due by Sunday, May 25 and virtual auditions are due by Sunday, June 1. Visit the link in our bio to sign up for your audition today!
@rvasymphony #richmondsymphony #youthorchestraprogram #youthorchestra #youthband #musiceducation #musiced #classicalmusic #strings #woodwinds #brass #percussion #richmond #rva #rvafamily
DEADLINE EXTENDED for our annual Teacher Appreciation event! All free ticket requests are now due by the end of the day on Wednesday, March 12.
In celebration of Music in Our Schools Month this March, the Richmond Symphony and Richmond Symphony School of Music join together in gratitude for our local music educators! ♥️🎶
Enjoy two (2) complimentary concert tickets to a Richmond Symphony performance on Saturday night, March 22, 2025! Music Director Valentina Peleggi conducts Mahler’s heart-rending Fourth Symphony, and the first of Mozart’s miraculous final set of symphonies, the ebullient “Haffner.” Plus, the world premiere of “Born In the Iron Grip,” commissioned by the Richmond Symphony and composed by Virginia’s own Joe Jaxson, whose bright, joyful sounds will enliven the program. At intermission, music educators will visit the Donor Lounge to mix and mingle with other educators from around the area.
Thank you for all YOU do—“Changing lives through the power of music!” Visit the link in our bio to redeem your tickets for this special event. All RSVPs are due by the end of the day on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.
@rvasymphony #TeacherAppreciation #WeLoveMusicTeachers #MusicTeachers #MusicEducation #RichmondSymphony #ClassicalMusic #RichmondVA #RVA #ExploreRichmond #Mahler4 #Mozart35
Registration for our annual Teacher Appreciation event ends this coming Monday, March 10. Music educators, don’t forget to claim your FREE tickets to the Richmond Symphony’s Mozart & Mahler concert on Saturday, March 22! Read below for more information.
In celebration of Music in Our Schools Month this March, the Richmond Symphony and Richmond Symphony School of Music join together in gratitude for our local music educators! ♥️🎶
Enjoy two (2) complimentary concert tickets to a Richmond Symphony performance on Saturday night, March 22, 2025! Music Director Valentina Peleggi conducts Mahler’s heart-rending Fourth Symphony, and the first of Mozart’s miraculous final set of symphonies, the ebullient “Haffner.” Plus, the world premiere of “Born In the Iron Grip,” commissioned by the Richmond Symphony and composed by Virginia’s own Joe Jaxson, whose bright, joyful sounds will enliven the program. At intermission, music educators will visit the Donor Lounge to mix and mingle with other educators from around the area.
Thank you for all YOU do—“Changing lives through the power of music!” Visit the link in our bio to redeem your tickets for this special event. All RSVPs are due by the end of the day on Monday, March 10, 2025.
Photo from the 2023–24 season by Anna Mitchell (@annamiitchcreates).
@rvasymphony #TeacherAppreciation #WeLoveMusicTeachers #MusicTeachers #MusicEducation #RichmondSymphony #ClassicalMusic #RichmondVA #RVA #ExploreRichmond #Mahler4 #Mozart35
In celebration of Music in Our Schools Month this March, the Richmond Symphony and Richmond Symphony School of Music join together in gratitude for our local music educators! ❤️🎶
Enjoy two (2) complimentary concert tickets to a Richmond Symphony performance on Saturday night, March 22, 2025! Music Director Valentina Peleggi conducts Mahler’s heart-rending Fourth Symphony, and the first of Mozart’s miraculous final set of symphonies, the ebullient “Haffner.” Plus, the world premiere of “Born In the Iron Grip,” commissioned by the Richmond Symphony and composed by Virginia’s own Joe Jaxson, whose bright, joyful sounds will enliven the program. At intermission, music educators will visit the Donor Lounge to mix and mingle with other educators from around the area.
Thank you for all YOU do—“Changing lives through the power of music!” Visit the link in our bio at @richmondsymphonysom to redeem your tickets for this special event. All RSVPs are due by the end of the day on Monday, March 10, 2025.
@rvasymphony #TeacherAppreciation #WeLoveMusicTeachers #MusicTeachers #MusicEducation #RichmondSymphony #ClassicalMusic #RichmondVA #RVA #ExploreRichmond #Mahler4 #Mozart35
A highlight from this past Saturday: Hanging out with Michael Sachs, principal trumpet of The Cleveland Orchestra! After rehearsing Wynton Marsalis’s Trumpet Concerto (a piece that was written for Sachs himself!) with the @rvasymphony, he joined our visiting brass students and Symphony musicians to share insights about his career over a slice of pizza. Thanks for joining us, @michaelsachs_! 🎺🎶
@rvasymphony @michaelsachs_ @cleveorch #RVASymphony #RichmondSymphony #MichaelSachs #TheClevelandOrchestra #Trumpet #Brass #BrassInstruments #Orchestra #Richmond #RichmondVA #RVA
Are you thinking about auditioning for the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program? This Sunday is your chance to hear our most advanced ensemble, the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra (RSYO), as they perform Haydn’s “Drum Roll” Symphony! Percussion Ensemble will also take the stage, featuring chamber music performed by students in RSYO and YCO.
Do you play oboe, French horn, trumpet, or tenor trombone? Join us as we perform Tchaikovsky’s illustrious Symphony No. 5 this May! Email us at education@richmondsymphony.com if you’re interested in auditioning for RSYO mid-season. All other instruments will be eligible to audition for our ensembles at our June auditions—follow us at @richmondsymphonysom to be the first one to know when audition registration launches.
🎶: Haydn: Symphony No. 103 in E-flat major, “Drum Roll,” mvt. 4: IV. Finale - Allegro con spirito
RSYO and Percussion Ensemble winter concert
Conducted by Hae Lee (@hae.conductor) and Dr. Justin Alexander (@justin.alexander.percussion)
Sunday, February 23 at 7:00 pm
Free and open to the public; no ticket is required
@rvasymphony #RVASymphony #RichmondSymphony #YouthOrchestra #YouthBand #Haydn103 #Haydn #RVATakesTheStage #Orchestra #MusicEducation #Flute #Oboe #Clarinet #Bassoon #FrenchHorn #Trumpet #Trombone #Tuba #Percussion #Violin #Viola #Cello #DoubleBass
Dear music educators, will you be our valentine this year? ♥️🎶 In celebration of Music in Our Schools Month this coming March, the Richmond Symphony and Richmond Symphony School of Music join together in gratitude for our local music educators!
Enjoy two (2) complimentary concert tickets to a Richmond Symphony performance on Saturday night, March 22, 2025! Music Director Valentina Peleggi conducts Mahler’s heart-rending Fourth Symphony, and the first of Mozart’s miraculous final set of symphonies, the ebullient “Haffner.” Plus, the world premiere of “Born In the Iron Grip,” commissioned by the Richmond Symphony and composed by Virginia’s own Joe Jaxson, whose bright, joyful sounds will enliven the program. At intermission, music educators will visit the Donor Lounge to mix and mingle with other educators from around the area.
Thank you for all YOU do—“Changing lives through the power of music!” Visit the link in our bio (linktr.ee/rssom) to redeem your tickets for this special event. All RSVPs are due by the end of the day on Monday, March 10, 2025.
@rvasymphony #TeacherAppreciation #WeLoveMusicTeachers #MusicTeachers #MusicEducation #RichmondSymphony #ClassicalMusic #RichmondVA #RVA #ExploreRichmond #Mahler4 #Mozart35 #ValentinesDay
Give your students the gift of live music at our March Hopkins-Eggleston Discovery Concert: Storytime with the Richmond Symphony, featuring The Sneetches™ by Dr. Seuss! 🎻🌟🎉
Held during the school day, Discovery Concerts engage young minds through exciting full-orchestra performances. These morning performances by the Richmond Symphony correlate with Virginia Standards of Learning. Participating schools receive student listening guides, a teacher guide, and concert repertoire in advance of the performance. Concerts serve city, county, private and home-schooled students. Our spring Discovery Concerts are best suited for grades pre-K through 3 and will feature Lorenzo Palomo’s The Sneetches by Dr. Seuss™, Tchaikovsky’s Waltz from The Sleeping Beauty, and excerpts from Dukas’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.
Wednesday, March 12 at 10:30 am and Thursday March 13 at 10:30 am | Teachers can register their groups by visiting the link in our bio
Interested in attending our spring Discovery Concerts, but unable to attend with a school group? Join us for our Family Concert on Sunday, March 16! Our Family Concerts are open to the public and welcome students of all ages. Visit the link in our bio for more information.
@rvasymphony #classicalmusic #orchestra #symphony #richmond #tchaikovsky #dukas #storytime #story #drseuss #nationalreadingmonth #thesneetches #alsosprachzarathustra #rva #rvakids
Mark your calendars—our first concert of 2025 is just one month away on Sunday, February 23! 🎶
Woodwinds, brass, and percussion will join the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra for a performance of Haydn’s Symphony No. 103, nicknamed the “Drum Roll” symphony for the thunderous timpani roll at its start. Percussion Ensemble will also take the stage, featuring chamber music performed by percussionists in YCO and RSYO.
RSYO and Percussion Ensemble winter concert 🎻🎺🥁
Conducted by Hae Lee (@hae.conductor) and Dr. Justin Alexander (@justin.alexander.percussion)
Sunday, February 23 at 7:00 pm
Free and open to the public; no ticket is required
Photo of RSYO in March 2024 by Anna Mitchell (@annamiitchcreates).
@rvasymphony #youthorchestra #orchestra #percussion #chambermusic #haydn #haydn103 #musiceducation #classicalmusic #rva #rvamusic
We’re missing all of our students during this unexpected week of snow days, but excited to finally see everyone again at next week’s classes and rehearsals! ✨🎼 Swipe to see some of our favorite memories from the year prior, including youth orchestra performances, holiday concerts, masterclasses with guest artists, and more—and fingers crossed the weather eases up so we can make more memories (and music) again soon, starting next week! ❄️🎻
Photos by Dave Parrish Photography (@rvaphotog), James H Loving Photography (@jamesloving), Adrienne Broom Creates (@yoadriennecreates), Anna Mitchell (@annamiitchcreates), and the photography team at The St. Paul’s Baptist Church.
@rvasymphony #richmondsymphony #orchestra #youthorchestra #classicalmusic #concert #richmond #rva #rvakids #rvaart #rvamusic
Calling all beginning violists, cellists, and double bassists! If making more music is on your list of New Year’s resolutions, then String Sinfonietta is the place for you! 🎻
Sinfonietta is open to any string musician who has played their instrument for at least one year. In this ensemble, students learn the basics of playing in an orchestra. They learn about their section within the orchestra, and their role within the section. Students learn to watch and follow a conductor, and how to listen to other sections in the orchestra. Above all, the young musicians in Sinfonietta learn the joy of making music with others.
To register and learn more about recommended fundamentals, visit the link in our bio and fill out the inquiry form. Sinfonietta’s violin section is full at this time, and we will be recruiting new violinists at the start of next school year. Registration for Sinfonietta is open until the ensemble is full and some sections may close before others.
Photos by James H Loving Photography (@jamesloving).
@rvasymphony #violin #viola #cello #doublebass #orchestra #youthorchestra #violinist #violist #cellist #doublebassist
RICHMOND SYMPHONY VISION STATEMENT:
We change lives through the power of music.
RICHMOND SYMPHONY MISSION STATEMENT:
The Richmond Symphony performs,
teaches, and champions music to inspire and
unite our communities.
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