Educational Highlights from Our 2024–25 Season

Youth Community Strings and Youth Concert Orchestra perform side-by-side in the second of two end-of-year Youth Orchestra Program concerts on Monday, May 19, 2025, led by conductor Dr. Sandy Goldie and lead teacher Caitlin Barry. The combined group performed Boil Them Cabbage Down Now and Salsa de Verano. Photo by Demetrius Holloway Photography.

Thank you to all those who joined us for an amazing 2024–25 season! From our Youth Orchestra Program to Youth Community Strings, our Hopkins-Eggleston Discovery Concerts, and more, we were honored to make music with over 18,000 students throughout the central Virginia region. Some of our favorite memories included another year of our Future Music Educators Symposium, guest taught by university professor and music education influencer Angela Ammerman; a memorable holiday performance by Youth Community Strings at The Saint Paul’s Baptist Church, Creighton campus, for over three thousand guests; an amazing showcase featuring works written by the students in our Young Composers Seminar, our first Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra and Richmond Symphony side-by-side concert since February 2020, and more.

We’re excited to kick off our 2025–26 season this August! Read on for your sneak peek at our next season.

Posted in Youth Orchestra Program

Spotlight Series: 2025–26 Season Marks Return of Chamber Music Program

Richmond Symphony Announces Joe Jaxson as Next Composer-in-Residence

RSYO Honors Chamber Groups Perform at Library of Virginia Event About Educational Reform

Music Educators Invited to Richmond Symphony for Annual Teacher Appreciation Event

Audition to Join the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program!

richmondsymphonysom

315 1,134

Youth Orchestra Program, Discovery Concerts, Educational Ensembles, and more 🎶 @rvasymphony

Tomorrow on Monday, April 20, 2026, Youth Concert Orchestra (YCO) will be held off site. Please read your email for more information.

11 0

Open post by richmondsymphonysom with ID 17884744251510901

Tomorrow on Monday, April 20, 2026, Youth Concert Orchestra (YCO) will be held off site. Please read your email for more information.

A manifestation for every instrument (in orchestral score order) 🌀 CLAIM YOUR MANIFESTATION by visiting the link in our bio and registering for your Youth Orchestra Program audition TODAY!

@rvasymphony #YouthOrchestra #ClassicalMusic #MusicEd #ClassicalMusicMemes #RVA

60 8

Open post by richmondsymphonysom with ID 17876751159437730

A manifestation for every instrument (in orchestral score order) 🌀 CLAIM YOUR MANIFESTATION by visiting the link in our bio and registering for your Youth Orchestra Program audition TODAY!

@rvasymphony #YouthOrchestra #ClassicalMusic #MusicEd #ClassicalMusicMemes #RVA

This is how spring has us feeling at the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program 🥰🎻💘

@hae.conductor @rvasymphony #Tchaikovsky #ClassicalMusic #ClassicalMusicMemes #MusicEd #AprilFoolsDay

🎶 — Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet Fantasy-Overture, Rick Astley: Never Gonna Give You Up

88 4

Open post by richmondsymphonysom with ID 18087413255193142

This is how spring has us feeling at the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program 🥰🎻💘

@hae.conductor @rvasymphony #Tchaikovsky #ClassicalMusic #ClassicalMusicMemes #MusicEd #AprilFoolsDay

🎶 — Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet Fantasy-Overture, Rick Astley: Never Gonna Give You Up

DEADLINE EXTENDED for Virginia music educators to redeem their FREE tickets to the Richmond Symphony! All RSVPs are now due by noon on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. For more information, read below. 🍎🎶

——————

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 music educators! As part of our annual Teacher Appreciation event, Virginia music educators may enjoy two (2) complimentary concert tickets to a Richmond Symphony performance at the Carpenter Theatre on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 7:30pm. ♥️🎶

The program opens with Jessie Montgomery’s Hymn for Everyone, written during the pandemic and serving as a tribute to the composer’s late mother. Then, concert pianist Angela Cheng performs Beethoven’s poetic Piano Concerto No. 4. At the intermission, music teachers are invited to the Donor Lounge to mix and mingle with other educators from around the area. To close the evening, Music Director Valentina Peleggi leads the Richmond Symphony through Aaron Copland’s Americana-inspired Symphony No. 3.

Music teachers, thank you for all YOU do, changing lives through the power of music! 🎶 Visit linktr.ee/rssom to redeem your tickets for this year’s special event. All RSVPs are due by noon on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

@virginiamusiceducators #MusicEducation #VirginiaTeacher #RichmondVA #RVA #VMEA

11 0

Open post by richmondsymphonysom with ID 17984711678994820

DEADLINE EXTENDED for Virginia music educators to redeem their FREE tickets to the Richmond Symphony! All RSVPs are now due by noon on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. For more information, read below. 🍎🎶

——————

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 music educators! As part of our annual Teacher Appreciation event, Virginia music educators may enjoy two (2) complimentary concert tickets to a Richmond Symphony performance at the Carpenter Theatre on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 7:30pm. ♥️🎶

The program opens with Jessie Montgomery’s Hymn for Everyone, written during the pandemic and serving as a tribute to the composer’s late mother. Then, concert pianist Angela Cheng performs Beethoven’s poetic Piano Concerto No. 4. At the intermission, music teachers are invited to the Donor Lounge to mix and mingle with other educators from around the area. To close the evening, Music Director Valentina Peleggi leads the Richmond Symphony through Aaron Copland’s Americana-inspired Symphony No. 3.

Music teachers, thank you for all YOU do, changing lives through the power of music! 🎶 Visit linktr.ee/rssom to redeem your tickets for this year’s special event. All RSVPs are due by noon on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

@virginiamusiceducators #MusicEducation #VirginiaTeacher #RichmondVA #RVA #VMEA

Two of our RSYO Honors chamber groups recently performed at Pathways to Purpose and Prosperity in Virginia Schools, an event hosted at the Library of Virginia that featured prominent policy makers, employers, and education innovators discussing the importance of career-based learning. A number of Virginia state officials were in attendance, including Governor Abigail Spanberger, Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi, Secretary of Education Dr. Jeff Smith, and more.

Congratulations to the eight RSYO students who performed at this event for a beautiful performance and for representing the Richmond Symphony School of Music: Elizabeth M., Elizabeth S., Fielding, Isaac, Luke, Samantha, Thomas and Will! 🎻🍎🎶

Photos by Ovrbord Media/Parker Michels-Boyce.

@libraryofva @theoremmedia @schoolcouldbe #YouthOrchestraProgram #ChamberMusic #ClassicalMusic #MusicEducation #MusicEd

73 2

Open post by richmondsymphonysom with ID 17936034285207155

Two of our RSYO Honors chamber groups recently performed at Pathways to Purpose and Prosperity in Virginia Schools, an event hosted at the Library of Virginia that featured prominent policy makers, employers, and education innovators discussing the importance of career-based learning. A number of Virginia state officials were in attendance, including Governor Abigail Spanberger, Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi, Secretary of Education Dr. Jeff Smith, and more.

Congratulations to the eight RSYO students who performed at this event for a beautiful performance and for representing the Richmond Symphony School of Music: Elizabeth M., Elizabeth S., Fielding, Isaac, Luke, Samantha, Thomas and Will! 🎻🍎🎶

Photos by Ovrbord Media/Parker Michels-Boyce.

@libraryofva @theoremmedia @schoolcouldbe #YouthOrchestraProgram #ChamberMusic #ClassicalMusic #MusicEducation #MusicEd

LAST CHANCE for Virginia music educators to redeem their FREE tickets to the Richmond Symphony! The deadline is Tuesday, March 31, 2026. For more information, read below. 🍎🎶

——————

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 music educators! As part of our annual Teacher Appreciation event, Virginia music educators may enjoy two (2) complimentary concert tickets to a Richmond Symphony performance at the Carpenter Theatre on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 7:30pm. ♥️🎶

The program opens with Jessie Montgomery’s Hymn for Everyone, written during the pandemic and serving as a tribute to the composer’s late mother. Then, concert pianist Angela Cheng performs Beethoven’s poetic Piano Concerto No. 4. At the intermission, music teachers are invited to the Donor Lounge to mix and mingle with other educators from around the area. To close the evening, Music Director Valentina Peleggi leads the Richmond Symphony through Aaron Copland’s Americana-inspired Symphony No. 3.

Music teachers, thank you for all YOU do, changing lives through the power of music! 🎶 Visit linktr.ee/rssom to redeem your tickets for this year’s special event. All RSVPs are due by the end of the day on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

@virginiamusiceducators #MusicEducation #VirginiaTeacher #RichmondVA #RVA #VMEA

8 1

Open post by richmondsymphonysom with ID 18131675911554891

LAST CHANCE for Virginia music educators to redeem their FREE tickets to the Richmond Symphony! The deadline is Tuesday, March 31, 2026. For more information, read below. 🍎🎶

——————

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 music educators! As part of our annual Teacher Appreciation event, Virginia music educators may enjoy two (2) complimentary concert tickets to a Richmond Symphony performance at the Carpenter Theatre on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 7:30pm. ♥️🎶

The program opens with Jessie Montgomery’s Hymn for Everyone, written during the pandemic and serving as a tribute to the composer’s late mother. Then, concert pianist Angela Cheng performs Beethoven’s poetic Piano Concerto No. 4. At the intermission, music teachers are invited to the Donor Lounge to mix and mingle with other educators from around the area. To close the evening, Music Director Valentina Peleggi leads the Richmond Symphony through Aaron Copland’s Americana-inspired Symphony No. 3.

Music teachers, thank you for all YOU do, changing lives through the power of music! 🎶 Visit linktr.ee/rssom to redeem your tickets for this year’s special event. All RSVPs are due by the end of the day on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

@virginiamusiceducators #MusicEducation #VirginiaTeacher #RichmondVA #RVA #VMEA

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 music educators! As part of our annual Teacher Appreciation event, Virginia music educators may enjoy two (2) complimentary concert tickets to a Richmond Symphony performance at the Carpenter Theatre on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 7:30pm. ♥️🎶

The program opens with Jessie Montgomery’s Hymn for Everyone, written during the pandemic and serving as a tribute to the composer’s late mother. Then, concert pianist Angela Cheng performs Beethoven’s poetic Piano Concerto No. 4. At the intermission, music teachers are invited to the Donor Lounge to mix and mingle with other educators from around the area. To close the evening, Music Director Valentina Peleggi leads the Richmond Symphony through Aaron Copland’s Americana-inspired Symphony No. 3.

Music teachers, thank you for all YOU do, changing lives through the power of music! 🎶 Visit linktr.ee/rssom to redeem your tickets for this year’s special event. All RSVPs are due by the end of the day on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

@virginiamusiceducators #MusicEducation #VirginiaTeacher #RichmondVA #RVA #Virginia

23 5

Open post by richmondsymphonysom with ID 17863151475612267

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 music educators! As part of our annual Teacher Appreciation event, Virginia music educators may enjoy two (2) complimentary concert tickets to a Richmond Symphony performance at the Carpenter Theatre on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 7:30pm. ♥️🎶

The program opens with Jessie Montgomery’s Hymn for Everyone, written during the pandemic and serving as a tribute to the composer’s late mother. Then, concert pianist Angela Cheng performs Beethoven’s poetic Piano Concerto No. 4. At the intermission, music teachers are invited to the Donor Lounge to mix and mingle with other educators from around the area. To close the evening, Music Director Valentina Peleggi leads the Richmond Symphony through Aaron Copland’s Americana-inspired Symphony No. 3.

Music teachers, thank you for all YOU do, changing lives through the power of music! 🎶 Visit linktr.ee/rssom to redeem your tickets for this year’s special event. All RSVPs are due by the end of the day on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

@virginiamusiceducators #MusicEducation #VirginiaTeacher #RichmondVA #RVA #Virginia

“Working on the Senate floor for 8 hours a day, I’ve come to appreciate the art of a well thought out speech,” Qian said. “Of course, I have my own political convictions, but it was still refreshing to hear all the arguments coming from our very own leaders. Often, these speeches would spark intense political debates among our own group [of pages], which allowed me to practice live debate and argumentation.”

——————

This month’s Spotlight Series highlights Chris Qian, violinist in RSYO and junior at Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies. This fall, Qian was selected as one of just thirty students to participate in the U.S. Senate Page Program, in which juniors and seniors spend a semester working as staff members in the U.S. Senate in Washington, D.C.

To read this month’s Spotlight Series, visit the link in our bio. Our monthly Spotlight Series is written by Anna Mitchell, Education & Social Media Coordinator.

#musiceducation #youthorchestra #senatepage

49 0

Open post by richmondsymphonysom with ID 18333805351170522

“Working on the Senate floor for 8 hours a day, I’ve come to appreciate the art of a well thought out speech,” Qian said. “Of course, I have my own political convictions, but it was still refreshing to hear all the arguments coming from our very own leaders. Often, these speeches would spark intense political debates among our own group [of pages], which allowed me to practice live debate and argumentation.”

——————

This month’s Spotlight Series highlights Chris Qian, violinist in RSYO and junior at Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies. This fall, Qian was selected as one of just thirty students to participate in the U.S. Senate Page Program, in which juniors and seniors spend a semester working as staff members in the U.S. Senate in Washington, D.C.

To read this month’s Spotlight Series, visit the link in our bio. Our monthly Spotlight Series is written by Anna Mitchell, Education & Social Media Coordinator.

#musiceducation #youthorchestra #senatepage

35 3

Open post by richmondsymphonysom with ID 18074840192429321

Today is Arts Across Virginia Day! #ArtsAcrossVA26 🎶💫 At the Richmond Symphony School of Music, located in the heart of central Virginia and capital city of the state, we connect people of all ages to meaningful music experiences, including the following:

🎻 The Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program, which includes nearly 200 students across five ensembles

🎺 Hopkins-Eggleston Discovery Concerts, performances in the Carpenter Theatre for school groups which align with Virginia Standards of Learning

🥁 Educational Ensembles, which bring chamber music experiences to students across central Virginia

🪈 Future Music Educators Symposium, which primes high school juniors and seniors for a possible future career in music education

🎹 The Peleggi Lab, a hub of musical programming curated by @rvasymphony Music Director Valentina Peleggi which includes composition, conducting, and more

🪉 Symphony Series Companion Courses, a series of free online lectures for lovers of music history and culture

…and more! To learn more about the Richmond Symphony School of Music and our diverse programming, visit the link in our bio or go to richmondsymphonysom.com.

Photos from recent seasons by James H Loving Photography (@jamesloving), Dave Pearson (@pearsonphoto2000), and Christian Thesken (@truenorthprods).

@virginiamusiceducators #Virginia #ClassicalMusic #MusicEducation #PerformingArts

59 0

Open post by richmondsymphonysom with ID 17856092169621601

Today is Arts Across Virginia Day! #ArtsAcrossVA26 🎶💫 At the Richmond Symphony School of Music, located in the heart of central Virginia and capital city of the state, we connect people of all ages to meaningful music experiences, including the following:

🎻 The Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program, which includes nearly 200 students across five ensembles

🎺 Hopkins-Eggleston Discovery Concerts, performances in the Carpenter Theatre for school groups which align with Virginia Standards of Learning

🥁 Educational Ensembles, which bring chamber music experiences to students across central Virginia

🪈 Future Music Educators Symposium, which primes high school juniors and seniors for a possible future career in music education

🎹 The Peleggi Lab, a hub of musical programming curated by @rvasymphony Music Director Valentina Peleggi which includes composition, conducting, and more

🪉 Symphony Series Companion Courses, a series of free online lectures for lovers of music history and culture

…and more! To learn more about the Richmond Symphony School of Music and our diverse programming, visit the link in our bio or go to richmondsymphonysom.com.

Photos from recent seasons by James H Loving Photography (@jamesloving), Dave Pearson (@pearsonphoto2000), and Christian Thesken (@truenorthprods).

@virginiamusiceducators #Virginia #ClassicalMusic #MusicEducation #PerformingArts

This could be you: a member of the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program! Audition registration for our 2026–27 season is officially open starting today! 🎻🪈🎺🥁🪉🎶

Students will have the option to audition in person or virtually, with in-person auditions taking place on Saturday, June 6 and virtual audition submissions being due on Sunday, May 31. Please note that this audition period is the only chance for current YOP students to move up in ensemble.

To learn more and register for your audition, visit the link in our bio or go to linktr.ee/rssom. We hope to see you in our ensembles next season!

Photos from the 2024–25 and 2025–26 seasons by James H Loving Photography (@jamesloving), Demetrius Holloway (@whoisholloway), Dave Pearson (@pearsonphoto2000), and Christian Thesken/True North Productions (@truenorthprods).

#YouthOrchestra #MusicEducation #MusicEd #YouthBand #Orchestra

49 0

Open post by richmondsymphonysom with ID 18084373588995605

This could be you: a member of the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program! Audition registration for our 2026–27 season is officially open starting today! 🎻🪈🎺🥁🪉🎶

Students will have the option to audition in person or virtually, with in-person auditions taking place on Saturday, June 6 and virtual audition submissions being due on Sunday, May 31. Please note that this audition period is the only chance for current YOP students to move up in ensemble.

To learn more and register for your audition, visit the link in our bio or go to linktr.ee/rssom. We hope to see you in our ensembles next season!

Photos from the 2024–25 and 2025–26 seasons by James H Loving Photography (@jamesloving), Demetrius Holloway (@whoisholloway), Dave Pearson (@pearsonphoto2000), and Christian Thesken/True North Productions (@truenorthprods).

#YouthOrchestra #MusicEducation #MusicEd #YouthBand #Orchestra

“To have this partnership between the Richmond Symphony and RSYO is so crucial and fundamental in terms of inspiring students, whether they have a career in the arts or not. ... I think that this partnership between the youth orchestras and having this kind of youth education here in Richmond is so important.” - Rebecca Benjamin, Principal Viola

———

This month’s Spotlight Series highlights February’s Side-by-Side concert, which brung the Richmond Symphony and Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra together in concert. Side-by-sides are a staple of youth orchestras across the country, allowing student musicians to learn directly from members of professional orchestras while performing together.

To read this month’s Spotlight Series, visit the link in our bio. Our monthly Spotlight Series is written by Anna Mitchell, Education & Social Media Coordinator.

@rvasymphony @rso_musicians #YouthOrchestra #ClassicalMusic #MusicEd #SideBySide #Orchestra

113 1

Open post by richmondsymphonysom with ID 18145405528463954

“To have this partnership between the Richmond Symphony and RSYO is so crucial and fundamental in terms of inspiring students, whether they have a career in the arts or not. ... I think that this partnership between the youth orchestras and having this kind of youth education here in Richmond is so important.” - Rebecca Benjamin, Principal Viola

———

This month’s Spotlight Series highlights February’s Side-by-Side concert, which brung the Richmond Symphony and Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra together in concert. Side-by-sides are a staple of youth orchestras across the country, allowing student musicians to learn directly from members of professional orchestras while performing together.

To read this month’s Spotlight Series, visit the link in our bio. Our monthly Spotlight Series is written by Anna Mitchell, Education & Social Media Coordinator.

@rvasymphony @rso_musicians #YouthOrchestra #ClassicalMusic #MusicEd #SideBySide #Orchestra

Follow on Instagram

Educational Highlights from Our 2024–25 Season

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Congratulations to Youth Orchestra Program Students Selected for All-Virginia Ensembles

Spotlight Series: 2025–26 Season Marks Return of Chamber Music Program

Richmond Symphony Announces Joe Jaxson as Next Composer-in-Residence

RSYO Honors Chamber Groups Perform at Library of Virginia Event About Educational Reform

Music Educators Invited to Richmond Symphony for Annual Teacher Appreciation Event

Audition to Join the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program!

richmondsymphonysom

Educational Highlights from Our 2024–25 Season

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

STAY POSTED

Get our weekly school updates, upcoming events, new semester classes, and school announcements.

Congratulations to Youth Orchestra Program Students Selected for All-Virginia Ensembles

Spotlight Series: 2025–26 Season Marks Return of Chamber Music Program

Richmond Symphony Announces Joe Jaxson as Next Composer-in-Residence

RSYO Honors Chamber Groups Perform at Library of Virginia Event About Educational Reform

Music Educators Invited to Richmond Symphony for Annual Teacher Appreciation Event

Audition to Join the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program!

richmondsymphonysom

Start typing and press enter to search

Start typing and press enter to search