Conrad Shaw (Credit: Jonathan Thorpe)
Arts have social impact. Arts
A SYMPHONY FOR ALL
Dear Symphony Supporters,
Your continued support propelled the Richmond Symphony to new heights. Throughout the 2024/25 season, we expanded our reach, inspired young talent, and celebrated diverse voices. Now we embark on a bold next chapter for the Richmond Symphony. Together, we’re committed to elevating our community, igniting artistic innovation, and building a vibrant musical future for Richmond.
We’re fostering deep connections with Richmond’s neighborhoods and using the power of music to inspire, educate, and uplift. Through groundbreaking
bold
and innovative collaborations, we’re pushing the boundaries of orchestral music. Our ongoing investment in inclusive experiences for our youth and emerging artists has helped us cultivate a thriving musical ecosystem for generations to come.
Your support is vital to realizing this ambitious vision and ensuring the Richmond Symphony remains a relevant cultural force for years to come.
Thank you for your continued support.
Warmly,
A NEW ERA OF MUSIC IN RICHMOND
The Richmond Symphony has a bold vision for the future. Your support will help us achieve these goals and make a lasting impact on the Greater Richmond Area and beyond.
ELEVATING
OUR COMMUNITY
By fostering deep connections with Richmond’s diverse neighborhoods, we’re using the power of music to inspire, educate, and uplift.
IGNITING ARTISTIC INNOVATION
Through groundbreaking performances, bold communications, and innovative collaborations, we will push the boundaries of orchestral music.
BUILDING A VIBRANT MUSICAL FUTURE
By investing in our youth, supporting emerging artists, and creating inclusive experiences, Richmond Symphony cultivates a thriving musical ecosystem for generations to come.
VALENTINA PELEGGI
RENEWED HER CONTRACT AS MUSIC DIRECTOR THROUGH THE 2027-28 SEASON
MUSICIAN COMMITMENT
Richmond Symphony remains committed to its musicians, converting two positions to the core orchestra roster: bass and viola.
COMMISSIONS
Throughout the 2024/25 season, Richmond Symphony performed four commissions:
Conni Ellisor’s A Woman Without Apology, co-commissioned with a consortium led by the ROCO ensemble in a shared effort to highlight works by women composers.
Virginia composer Joe Jaxson’s Born in the Iron Grip, inspired by Arthur Ashe’s history-making 1975 Wimbledon win.
Stewart Goodyear’s Allegro Brillante, influenced by James Brown and incorporating elements of soul and disco.
The Loving v. Virginia opera, cocommissioned with the Virginia Opera, featuring Damien Geter’s score and Jessica Murphy Moo’s libretto.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Through partnerships and support from the City of Richmond, Chesterfield County, and Henrico County, the Richmond Symphony reached over 13,000 individuals through outdoor concerts at Maymont, Chimborazo Park, Pocahontas State Park, and Crump Park at Meadow Farm, blending music with familyfriendly activities in multiple communities. Artist residencies and our Loving v. Virginia initiative brought music, dialogue, and inspiration to thousands of students and community members across Virginia.
WE WELCOMED NEW LEADERSHIP
JULIE BEMIS
CHRISTOPHER ANDERSON
Vice President of Marketing and Sales
Anderson has 15 years of marketing experience across the music industry, including positions in the performing arts with Jazz at Lincoln Center and Sony Music Entertainment. Most recently, he served as Chief Marketing Officer for The Washington Ballet, where he spearheaded strategic initiatives to align marketing strategies with organizational goals resulting in record-breaking annual sales exceeding $4.6 million.
Vice President of Education & Community Engagement
Dr. Bemis brings a wealth of experience to the Richmond Symphony from her work with the Colorado Symphony and the Denver Young Artists Orchestra. She previously served as Assistant Professor of Percussion at the University of Northern Colorado and is a two-time Fulbright Scholar in percussion, recognized for her commitment to excellence in performance and music education.
EBONI BOADI
Chief Development Officer
A seasoned fundraiser with significant experience at strengths-based, communitycentered organizations, Boadi most recently served as Vice President of Philanthropy for the Student Conservation Association (SCA), a national nonprofit organization that works to build the next generation of conservation leaders. Prior to SCA, she held key fundraising roles at Reading Partners and LIFT, national nonprofit organizations with communitybased roots.
HAE LEE Jack and Mary Ann Frable Associate Conductor Chair
Associate Conductor & Conductor of the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra
A Korean conductor, Hae Lee was the 2nd prize winner of the Kussewitzky Conducting Competition in Italy and the Finalist of the Besancon Conducting Competition in France. Hae was invited to the LEAD! Foundation’s masterclass in Finland and after it, he was selected as the young conductor for the final concert of the Fiskars Festival. In this concert, Hae shared the podium with Esa-Pekka Salonen, James Gaffigan, and Jukka-Pekka Saraste.
RICHARD ROBBINS James Erb Choral Chair
Director of Richmond Symphony Chorus
Robbins brings a wealth of experience in preparing choral-orchestral repertoire. Previously, he had served as Chorus Master of the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra and the Houston Ballet, and as Assistant Director of the Houston Symphony Chorus. He has prepared choruses for major conductors such as Hans Graf, Christoph Eschenbach and Joan Glover, among many others.
DAVEY VAN BEVEREN
Assistant Director of Education & Community Engagement
Before joining the Richmond Symphony, Van Beveren served as the Community Education Manager at the Colorado Symphony, where he managed all aspects of the Colorado Symphony’s award-winning educational initiatives. He previously worked at the Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras and spent a year teaching middle school band and orchestra in rural North Carolina as an AmeriCorps fellow. He is a member of the League of American Orchestras Youth Orchestra Division (YOD) Board.
Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra: 45
Youth Concert Orchestra: 65
Camerata Strings: 50
String Sinfonietta: 31
Percussion Ensemble: 4
Youth Orchestra Program
191 students participated in Central Virginia’s premiere orchestral training program through weekly rehearsals, coachings, and masterclasses with Richmond Symphony musicians.
Future Music
Educator Symposium
In partnership with VCUarts Music, Dr. Sandy Goldie, Director of Music Education, led the 5th cohort of high school juniors and seniors through this 8-week online program with Dr. Angela Ammerman as the Guest Lead Instructor. Students with promise and passion for a future in music education participated in workshops and classes with guest speakers, clinicians, and mentors.
Discovery Concerts
100+ schools from the City of Richmond and surrounding counties brought 4,000 students to the Dominion Energy Center to attend full-orchestra performances that correlate with Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs).
Educational Ensembles
19,330 students from 65 regional schools and community partners attended in-school performances throughout Chesterfield County, Henrico County, New Kent County, and the City of Richmond.
Companion Course
This course reached over 300 people, offering in-depth virtual sessions that explored the music and artists behind each Symphony Series concert. With guest appearances from conductors, composers, and performers, the course deepened audience connection through stories, recordings, and interactive discussion.
Youth Community Strings
This free, after-school violin program provided meaningful musical experiences for Richmond students during the 2024/25 season. Though the program has since concluded, students shared their music across the city—from the Children’s Museum to an assisted living facility—and celebrated their progress with a final performance in the Carpenter Theater alongside the Youth Concert Orchestra.
RSYO Concerto Competition Winner:
Joseph Legutko, viola
Joseph Legutko is a junior at Collegiate School in Richmond, VA. Although he learned the basics on violin, Legutko decided to switch to the viola because of its rarity, warmth, and texture. This allowed him to play in a quartet with his family and throughout the Boston and Cape Cod communities.
Before moving to Richmond, his string quartet earned a Gold Medal in the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association Solo and Ensemble competition. After moving to Richmond this year, he joined the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra, led by Conductor Hae Lee, and the DC-based American Youth Philharmonic
COMMUNITY CONCERTS
Reaching Over 13,000 People Across the Region Community concerts continued to make a powerful impact, combining live music with meaningful neighborhood partnerships. These free, family-friendly events provided accessible entry points to symphonic music for over 13,100 individuals this season.
Red, White
& Lights (Henrico County, July 2024)
Despite rainy weather, 5,000 attendees enjoyed a festive Fourth of July celebration at Crump Park featuring J. Roddy Walston, Sarah Walston, and the Richmond Symphony performing live with a laser light show. Our presence included an Instrument Petting Zoo, marketing table, and ticket giveaways.
Pocahontas Premieres (September 2024 & June 2025) Through continued partnership with Chesterfield County Parks & Recreation and Friends of Pocahontas State Park, two free outdoor concerts drew a combined audience of over 2,600 people. Led by Associate Conductor Hae Lee, the events featured lively performances and family-friendly activities.
Big Tent at
Chimborazo Park (May 2025)
More than 2,000 community members gathered for our largest Big Tent audience since the pandemic.
Highlights included Camerata Strings performing a commissioned work by Damien Geter and a powerful side-by-side performance featuring RSYO students with the Richmond Symphony. The event also included food vendors and engagement activities with local partner organizations.
Mile of Music at Maymont (June 2025)
Now in its 5th year and held for the first time at Maymont, Mile of Music welcomed a record-breaking 3,500 attendees. Six Richmond Symphony chamber ensembles performed along a one-mile loop, with continuous music, hands-on activities, food trucks, and a collaborative tabling footprint with Maymont.
Credit: David Parrish
Hickory Hill Concert 2024. James Loving
StradFest
& GALA
NINE LEGENDARY INSTRUMENTS. CENTURIES OF HISTORY.
NEARLY $200,000 RAISED!
A truly historical, once-in-a-lifetime experience, STRADFest featured 4 performances, 9 incredible artists — including Itzhak Perlman himself, 2 workshops with luthier Sofia Vettori, and a special masterclass for 2 young Richmond area violinists.
Into the STRADosphere — the season-opening gala event during STRADFest — brought the celebration into the hall and onto our stage. Your generous gifts raised nearly $200,000 to directly support the Richmond Symphony’s mission, bolstering the artistic initiatives, high-quality education programs, and accessible events that inspire and unite our communities.
MASTERCLASS OPPORTUNITY
Young Violinist, Haley Dunn, and VCU student, Arianna Greggs, had the opportunity to workshop with Julian Rhee and Emma Meinrenken. Thirty student violinists from the Richmond area also attended this unique masterclass opportunity.
David Parrish Photography
LOVING V. VIRGINIA
The 2024/25 season saw the premiere of the Loving v. Virginia opera, cocommissioned by the Richmond Symphony and Virginia Opera. This four-year collaborative project was an artistic, community, and educational success. Performed across the state in Norfolk, Fairfax, and Richmond, Loving v. Virginia brought standing ovations, tears, and thoughtful community conversations.
One of the most touching moments was connecting with more than a dozen family members of Richard and Mildred Loving who came to opening night dressed in red (Mildred’s favorite color), to hear this
inspirational work inspired by their life story and legacy, for the very first time.
Bringing something of such deep meaning to the stage is the embodiment of what it means to inspire and unite our communities –to change lives through the power of music.
As we take these programs forward into the future, we continue to build our deep connections, rooted in our local community, while also looking to how we can build beyond our region with media projects and programming, sharing our unique voice with the world.
One of the best organized performances of an opera… early on I thought the action had a Broadway show vibrancy
– Opera Gene
Composer-In-Residence: Damien Geter
Composer-in-Residence program generously supported by The Garner Family
In his third and final year as Composerin-Residence, Damien Geter continued his collaboration with the orchestra as an artistic partner, shaping the Symphony’s vision of curating experiences that tell powerful, resonant stories that are deeply connected to Richmond’s identity.
Complementing his artistic achievements, Geter engaged with the Richmond community in meaningful
– a culmination of a year-long partnership with VCUarts, providing a structured program for seven regional high-school and college students to compose their own works with the guidance and tutelage of a professional composer and conductor. The program’s pilot year culminated in Richmond Symphony musicians performing the premieres of each student’s work.
Through his artistry and outreach, Geter has not only elevated the Symphony’s programming, but also inspired a broader, more inclusive conversation about the future of classical music. His partnership has enabled the Richmond Symphony to engage deeply with audiences, championing
representation and fostering a sense of belonging in the orchestral world.
In the 2025/26 season we look forward to premiering our commission of Geter’s Loving v. Virginia Suite. This new symphonic piece will be a condensed version of the music he composed for the full opera, once again bringing the story of the landmark Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court case to a new artistic medium.
The opera effectively presents the facts of the case but focuses on the human impact of the law and their struggles.
RICHMOND SYMPHONY CHORUS
ways. As a guest speaker for VSU’s music department, he joined Naima Burrs, Director of Orchestral Activities, to discuss composition and arts administration as potential career paths. Geter also attended a VCU composition class to provide feedback on the students’ recent compositional creations.
On May 22 2025, Geter attended the Young Composers Seminar recital
The Richmond Symphony Chorus had an impactful 53rd season, marked by dynamic performances, significant milestones, and heartfelt dedications.
A major milestone of the season was the appointment of Richard Robbins as the new Chorus Director and James Erb Choral Chair. His tenure officially began with rehearsals in the Fall of 2024, marking the start of an exciting new chapter for the Richmond Symphony Chorus.
Performances with the Richmond Symphony included Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, the opera-in-concert performance of Puccini’s Tosca, Handel’s Messiah, and Alexander Borodin’s Polovstian Dances.
The season also included chamber chorus concerts, featuring pieces by Damien Geter, Samuel ColeridgeTaylor, and Johannes Brahms, among others.
Chorus Campaign
In the 2024/25 season, over 95 donors raised nearly $30,000 for the Richmond Symphony as part of the annual Chorus Campaign fundraiser. Each year, dedicated Richmond Symphony Chorus members lead this fundraising campaign to contribute to our educational, community, and concert programming, in addition to their gifts of talent and time throughout the season.
– Opera Gene
SOUND OF THE RICHMOND SYMPHONY
Overview
The Richmond Symphony maintains high expectations for our artistic achievement and community impact. As Valentina Peleggi renewed her contract as Music Director through the 2027/28 season and the League of American Orchestras upgraded the Richmond Symphony’s designation to Group II, expectations have only increased. Accordingly, we introduced the “Sound of the Richmond Symphony” initiative. This two-year investment of $2,500,000 is part of our five-year strategic plan that will
ensure we continue to produce highquality, impactful programming. Success through this initiative will elevate our artistry to greater heights, which will be key to engaging more community members. The widening scope of the Richmond Symphony’s reach will allow us to more meaningfully share the benefits or orchestral performance in Central Virginia. In alignment with our mission and strategic plan, we identified the following objectives.
OBJECTIVES
• CORE EXPANSION & MUSICIAN INVESTMENT
• QUALITY RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
• WORLD-RENOWNED PROGRAMS & ARTISTS
HIGHLIGHTS
The Richmond Symphony is growing against national trends—expanding its core symphony series from eight to nine programs, and increasing both Saturday and Sunday performances, while most peer organizations are reducing their offerings.
There is a conscious effort to combine familiar pieces with new, less familiar works in each program. This holistic approach creates a journey for both audiences and musicians, ensuring every season is thoughtfully curated for artistic growth and audience engagement.
The Symphony is deeply committed to commissioning new works that tell Virginia and Richmond stories, ensuring the orchestra is not only preserving tradition but also creating new cultural narratives and expanding the repertoire for future generations.
Musicians are challenged and invigorated by new works—when faced with unfamiliar music, their listening and collaboration become highly active and attentive, which carries over to performances of familiar pieces, resulting in fresh, energized interpretations.
You know the sound of your best friend’s voice on the phone or your family member calling your name in a crowd? What if you could recognize the ‘voice’ of the Richmond Symphony every time you hear it –on the radio, in a recording, or in the concert hall?
Contribution Updates
The Cabell Foundation generously provided $450,000 to support the Sound of the Richmond Symphony through a matching challenge. Thanks to the incredible support of our donors, we met our match goal well ahead of schedule to unlock this gift!
IMPACT AREAS
Musicians
In the 2024/25 season, we added two new core musicians to the orchestra roster. We also continue our investment in full orchestra rehearsals in the Carpenter Theatre at Dominion Energy Center, which provides crucial onsite work time for Valentina and the orchestra to further develop the unique Sound of the Richmond Symphony.
Resources
We invested in the quality of our onstage equipment, purchasing new music stands and musician chairs, further elevating the full sensory experience of a Richmond Symphony performance.
Artists & Programs
Puccini’s Tosca realized one of Valentina’s professional passions of conducting Italian opera. Producing a concert of this magnitude, with world-class vocalists like Jennifer Rowley, is thanks to donors’ support of the Sound of the Richmond Symphony. Being a part of and contributing to the living art form that is orchestral music is crucial to our sound.
Did you notice anything new on stage to kick off the 24/25 season? The Symphony debuted brand new stands and chairs for the musicians, customized for our performance space and the experience we hope to bring to you!
Valentina Peleggi (Photo credit: Jonathan Thorpe)
RENNOLDS SOCIETY
The Rennolds Society is a committed group of donors who have included the Richmond Symphony in their financial or estate planning. In May 2025, members gathered for a special annual celebration at the Country Club of Virginia. The event featured a captivating performance by Schuyler Slack (Cello), Jocelyn Smith (Viola), Jeannette Jang (Violin), and Adrian Pintea (Violin).
After the performance, guests engaged in a panel discussion with Richmond Symphony President & CEO, Lacey Huszcza, Vice President of Education & Community Engagement, Julie Bemis, and Violist, Jocelyn Smith. They each shared insights into their journeys in the orchestral world, how the scope of our work transforms future generations, and the importance of philanthropy in sustaining the Richmond Symphony.
Richmond Symphony League Concerto Competition Winner: Elaine Zhang, cello
In January, 2025, the Richmond Symphony League hosted their 56th Annual Student Concerto Competition. First-prize winner, Elaine Zhang, will perform with the Richmond Symphony in the upcoming 2025/26 season.
Zhang, age 15, attends Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, VA. She began her cello studies at the age of 10, and made her orchestral solo debut at the age of 13 as the winner of the Virginia Music Teachers Association’s 2023 Concerto Competition. She has been a National Symphony Orchestra Youth Fellow since 2024, studying under Loewi Lin.
Swing for the Symphony
The Richmond Symphony League hosted “Swing for the Symphony,” a golf tournament fundraiser that raised funds to support the Richmond Symphony’s mission and initiatives.
In July 2024, Immediate Past President Julie Brantley passed the torch to current President Joanne Barreca.
Whether it’s the crescendo of an orchestral piece, Pops Concerts, or the subtle nuances of a violin virtuoso, the Richmond Symphony, guided by Valentina Peleggi, creates a powerful journey that connects us all.
– Julie Brantley
2024-2025 SEASON REVENUE SUMMARY
Our 2024/25 season saw all-time record sales, with a 22% increase over last year. The year’s top 5 grossing concerts showcased the diversity of programming and experiences that our audiences have come to expect and enjoy:
Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth – this live artistic video game experience brought us our largest and geographically widest audience in history.
Jurassic Park – with the 1993 film projected on the big screen, the Richmond Symphony performed the iconic John Williams score, live and in sync with the music.
Handel’s Messiah –showcasing our incredible Richmond Symphony Chorus and Chorus Director Richard Robins, this audience favorite delivered a packed house filled with joy and holiday spirit.
Celebration of Black Music in Film – produced in partnership with Richmond’s James Crump-Wallace, this program delivered classic favorites that had the audience laughing and singing, performed with local guest artists Butcher Brown and Naima Burrs.
Cinema Serenade – a survey of cinema’s most moving melodies, featuring special guest, Itzhak Perlman.
RICHMOND
SYMPHONY FOUNDATION
The Richmond Symphony Foundation’s endowment helps ensure our long-term organizational sustainability. In the 2024/25 season, the endowment provided the Richmond Symphony with $943,435 in general operating support. Donors generously contributed a total of $246,600 to the endowment, which ended the fiscal year at $22.1 million.
The Richmond Symphony thanks YOU, our Annual Fund donors, for supporting the Richmond Symphony and our vision to change lives through the power of music. View the most recent list of donors by scanning the QR code.
612 East Grace Street, Suite 401
Richmond, VA 23219
MISSION
The Richmond Symphony performs, teaches, and champions music to inspire and unite our communities.
FERMATA Initiative
STRATEGY
Create a learning organization. Advance artistry and innovation. Work as a community partner.
Future Excellence in Recordings, Music, Artistry, Tools, & Ambition
In music, a fermata signals a moment to pause, sustain, and give meaning before moving forward. This is our moment. The FERMATA Initiative is the next chapter in our long-term Sound of the Symphony vision, a bold investment in the people, tools, and artistry that sustain Richmond Symphony’s sound today and enrich our city for generations to come.
Scan the QR code to learn more and donate today. Your investment helps preserve Virginia stories, amplify diverse perspectives, and spark creativity that resonates far beyond the concert hall.
For information regarding our 2025/26 season please visit RichmondSymphony.com
