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 Symphonyโs commitment to providing accessible, inclusive, and meaningful music education. Its wide-ranging programs span performance, learning, and exposure for all ages and income levelsโfrom 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 cityโchanging lives through the power of music.
โIf [playing your instrument] is something you truly love, [pursuing a career in performance] is absolutely worth it. It is a challenging path that takes determination and a lot of self-motivation, but I think real progress comes from the consistent effort you put in. โฆ No one can really do the work for you, and that is part of what makes this path so rewarding.โ
Our October Spotlight Series featured Youth Orchestra Program alum Emma Cary (โ19), who was recently appointed to the cello section of the North Carolina Symphony. Along the way, she participated in all four YOP string and full orchestra ensembles, earned degrees from @umichsmtd and @shepherd_school, placed in chamber music competitions, and participated in prestigious summer music festivals.
Our monthly Spotlight Series is written by Anna Mitchell, Education & Social Media Coordinator. To read Emmaโs Spotlight, head to the link in our bio and visit our website. Donโt forget to subscribe in time for our next newsletter, coming out in mid-December! ๐ป
@rvasymphony @ncsymphony #RichmondSymphony #NorthCarolinaSymphony #Cello #Symphony #Orchestra
![โIf [playing your instrument] is something you truly love, [pursuing a career in performance] is absolutely worth it. It is a challenging path that takes determination and a lot of self-motivation, but I think real progress comes from the consistent effort you put in. โฆ No one can really do the work for you, and that is part of what makes this path so rewarding.โ
Our October Spotlight Series featured Youth Orchestra Program alum Emma Cary (โ19), who was recently appointed to the cello section of the North Carolina Symphony. Along the way, she participated in all four YOP string and full orchestra ensembles, earned degrees from @umichsmtd and @shepherd_school, placed in chamber music competitions, and participated in prestigious summer music festivals.
Our monthly Spotlight Series is written by Anna Mitchell, Education & Social Media Coordinator. To read Emmaโs Spotlight, head to the link in our bio and visit our website. Donโt forget to subscribe in time for our next newsletter, coming out in mid-December! ๐ป
@rvasymphony @ncsymphony #RichmondSymphony #NorthCarolinaSymphony #Cello #Symphony #Orchestra](https://richmondsymphonysom.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
Nominations are due soon for our 2025โ26 Future Music Educators Symposium (FMES), open to high school juniors and seniors located across Virginia! If you teach a student whoโs got that spark, head to the link in our bio to nominate them on or before Monday, December 1. ๐๐ถโจ
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Led by Dr. Sandy Goldie, Department Chair and Director of Music Education, VCUarts Music, this 8-week online program is designed to provide a meaningful experience for students who show exceptional promise and passion for a future career in music education. Students are selected through teacher nominations, and accepted students participate in a series of workshops and classes where their own hands-on teaching encounters are supported virtually by invited guest speakers, clinicians, and mentors. This yearโs cohort will meet online on Wednesdays from 4:30-6:00pm, January 7 to February 25, 2026.
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Each music educator may nominate up to two (2) total students for this course. To be eligible for a nomination, students must currently be a high school junior or senior and must be located in the state of Virginia. The deadline to nominate students is Monday, December 1, 2025.ย Space is extremely limited, so we encourage you to submit your nominations early. For more information and to nominate a student, visit the link in our bio.
Students pictured from our 2023โ24 cohort.
@rvasymphony @vcuartsmusic @virginiamusiceducators #MusicEducation #VMEA #MusicEd #MusicTeacher #MusicTeachersofInstagram
Every youth orchestra conductorโs lifelong dream: to pass on the baton and play with the viola section ๐ป Fun fact: RSYOโs conductor, Hae Lee, plays viola as his primary instrument!
This post was created by Claire, Emily, and Mabel, RSYO students and members of the YOP social media team. (Bonus conducting credit to RSYO student Will!)
@rvasymphony @hae.conductor #YouthOrchestra #MusicEducation #ClassicalMusic #ClassicalMusicMemes #OrchestraMemes #ThanksYouToo
Posing with instruments (and a baton!) like men pose with fish ๐ฃ๐ป๐บ๐ฅ๐
This post was created by Candice, a YCO violinist and member of the YOP social media team. This is the first post from our social media teamโkeep an eye out for more fun posts soon (and send us your favorite post ideas)! โจ
@rvasymphony #YouthOrchestra #MusicEducation #ClassicalMusic #ClassicalMusicMemes #OrchestraMemes
Slept through Octoberโs Discovery Concerts? Set your alarms nowโregistration for our spring 2026 Hopkins-Eggleston Discovery Concerts, Carnival of the Animals, is now open!ย
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Our spring 2026 Discovery Concerts will take place in mid-February and are open to public, private, and homeschool groups and target students in grades pre-K through 3. Visit the link in our bio @richmondsymphonysom to learn more and register your students!
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Spring 2026 Discovery Concert: Carnival of the Animals
Wednesday, February 18 and Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 10:30am
Carpenter Theatre at the Dominion Energy Center
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๐ป: Haydnโs โSurpriseโ Symphony
Symphony No. 94 in G major, Hob.I.94, II. Andante
Performed by the Richmond Symphony, Hae Lee, Associate Conductor, and narrator Teddy McPherson
@rvasymphony @hae.conductor @dominionenergycenter #MusicEd #MusicEducation #CarnivalOfTheAnimals #SaintSaens #RVAFamilies #RVA
The first piece on Youth Concert Orchestraโs performance this weekend, Zachary Docterโs rustic Prairie Dance, makes this East Coast-based Youth Orchestra want to move out west! ๐๏ธ๐๐ค
The talented young musicians in YCO will come together with our other YOP ensembles this Sunday for an unforgettable season opener featuring nearly 200 students across five ensembles. We canโt wait to see you there! ๐ป๐บ๐ฅ
All YOP Ensembles Showcase
Sunday, November 9, 2025 at 6:30pm
Carpenter Theatre at the Dominion Energy Center
Featuring String Sinfonietta, Camerata Strings, Youth Concert Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, and the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra
@rvasymphony #YouthOrchestra #MusicEd #Strings #Woodwinds #Brass #Percussion
String Sinfonietta and Camerata Strings are hard at work preparing for our first concert of the year, coming up in just over one week! ๐ป๐งก
Nearly 200 students from all five Youth Orchestra Program ensembles will perform in concert on Sunday, November 9 in the Carpenter Theatre at 6:30pm. Admission is free, no ticket is requiredโwe hope to see you there!
All YOP Ensembles Showcase
Sunday, November 9, 2025 at 6:30pm
Carpenter Theatre at the Dominion Energy Center
Featuring String Sinfonietta, Camerata Strings, Youth Concert Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, and the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra
@rvasymphony #YouthOrchestra #MusicEd #Violin #Viola #Cello #DoubleBass
Explore how music and physics connect at our first Family Concert of the year: The Science of Sound! โจ๐ฅผ๐บ Presented in collaboration with the Science Museum of Virginia, guests will discover how orchestral instruments create sound and learn about the mechanics of sound waves, ranging from outer space to the deep sea.
While this show is designed primarily for guests ages 7โ13, the whole family will enjoy this opportunity to explore connections between STEM and the performing arts. Children 2 and under are free if seated in an adultโs lap.
For more information and to buy your ticket, visit the link in our bio @richmondsymphonysom!
The Science of Sound Family Concert
Sunday, November 2, 2025 at 3:00 pm
Perkinson Center for the Arts & Education
11810 Centre Street, Chester, VA 23831
@rvasymphony @sciencemuseumofvirginia #RVAFamilies #RVA #RVAFamily #MusicEducation #FamilyConcert
๐ฃ๐ฃ Virginiaย high school music educators: Do you know a junior or senior who would make an excellent music educator one day? If you teach a student whoโs got that spark, now is the time to nominate them for our 6thย annual Future Music Educators Symposium (FMES)! ๐๐ถโจ
ย
Led by Dr. Sandy Goldie, Department Chair and Director of Music Education, VCUarts Music, this 8-week online program is designed to provide a meaningful experience for students who show exceptional promise and passion for a future career in music education. Students are selected through teacher nominations, and accepted students participate in a series of workshops and classes where their own hands-on teaching encounters are supported virtually by invited guest speakers, clinicians, and mentors. This yearโs cohort will meet online on Wednesdays from 4:30-6:00pm, January 7 to February 25, 2026.
ย
Each music educator may nominate up to two (2) total students for this course. To be eligible for a nomination, students must currently be a high school junior or senior and must be located in the state of Virginia. The deadline to nominate students is Monday, December 1, 2025.ย Space is extremely limited, so we encourage you to submit your nominations early. For more information and to nominate a student, visit the link in our bio.
Photo by James H Loving Photography (@jamesloving).
@rvasymphony @vcuartsmusic @virginiamusiceducators #MusicEducation #VMEA #MusicEd #MusicTeacher #MusicTeachersofInstagram
The Girl from Ipanema: โจ๐บ Brass quintet version ๐บโจ
Each season, Richmond Symphony Educational Ensembles visit elementary schools across central Virginia, playing chamber music for thousands of students throughout the course of the season. The Richmond Symphony Brass Quintet, one of our first Educational Ensembles of the year, recently visited Ettrick Elementary School in Chesterfield County, playing an arrangement of The Girl from Ipanema among classical works! ๐บโจ
@rvasymphony @oneccps #BrassQuintet #Brass #GirlFromIpanema #FrenchHorn #Trumpet #Trombone #Tuba #Horn
๐๐๐ Oohโฆ you wanna audition for the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program so badโฆ ๐๐๐
If youโre interested in joining the Youth Orchestra Program, now is your chanceโno hypnosis required! Weโre accepting mid-season auditions for all instrument families in all five of our ensembles. All auditions are due by the end of the day on Monday, October 20. Visit the link in our bio for more information! ๐๐ถ
@rvasymphony @hae.conductor #Audition #YouthOrchestraProgram #ClassicalMusicMemes #RichmondVA #Orchestra #YouthOrchestra #Hypnosis
Itโs October 3rdโฆ which means that mid-season YOP auditions are due in just 17 days! ๐
๐ฉท๐ป๐บ๐ช๐ฅ Whether you play strings, woodwinds, brass, or percussion, visit the link in our bio to submit your virtual audition today.
@rvasymphony #MeanGirls #October3rd #YouthOrchestra #Orchestra #ClassicalMusic #MusicEducation #ClassicalMusicMemes #RVA #RVAFamilies
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.