ANNOUNCEMENT
Welcome to The Richmond Symphony School of Music
FOUNDED IN THE SUMMER OF 2020, the Richmond Symphony School of Music (RSSoM) is now in operation as a virtual music school open to the public. Together, we aspire to provide a broad range of programming to Central Virginia, the Commonwealth, and beyond, and to establish the foundation upon which a brick-and-mortar community music school will be established in the future.
During our first year, over 400 students attended more than a dozen offerings: digital ensemble classes based on our pre-COVID youth orchestras; precollege chamber music, music theory, and composition classes; and evening classes for adults — with a vision for more in the future. As a virtual music school, we utilized videoconferencing software and an array of both digital and traditional resources to supplement instruction and exploration, and to facilitate real-time lessons and classes.
A diverse and dedicated team of musicians, students, teachers, parents, administrators, and music education professionals representing our region’s leaders in the field continue to develop our plans for growth.
Our sincere hope and dream is that RSSoM will grow to take its place among Richmond’s many fine institutions as a hub of a spectrum of activities, where music education is accessible to all and where all styles and traditions of music are valued, respected, and pursued with dedication, passion, and love: "changing lives through the power of music."
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
There’s a reason why they call December the most wonderful time of year! Earlier this month, our students in Youth Community Strings were invited to perform Carol of the Bells during a Sunday morning service with @myspbc. Between those who attended the service in person and those who viewed the livestream, over 3,000 people watched our young musicians perform!
We’re delighted to share our students’ performance with you today in celebration of the holiday season. On behalf of the Richmond Symphony School of Music, happy holidays to all, and we look forward to making music with you in the New Year! 🎇🎻
A special thank you to our lead teacher Caitlin Barry, our co-teacher Anita Williams, all of our amazing volunteers, and our partners at The Saint Paul’s Baptist Church and A to B Kid Shuttle.
@rvasymphony @myspbc @spbc_imagination @caitlinabarry #violin #violinist #youngviolinist #musiceducation #orchestra #elementarymusic #youthorchestra #youngmusician #carolofthebells
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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