As the year draws to a close, the air is filled with the unmistakable chill of winter and the warmth of holiday spirit. There’s no better way to celebrate this season than with the rich sounds of music filling the air, bringing people together in harmony and unity. Members of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra will be featured in a number of holiday concerts culminating with the Orchestra’s December concert, A Holiday Celebration. Music of Joy and Peace Saturday, December 2 at 7:30 p.m. Earlham College presents a thrilling concert featuring the Earlham College Orchestra joined by 25 members of th ..read more

During this season of giving, RSO seeks your support to meet a match set forward by a very generous anonymous donor. From now until December 31, donations received will be double matched, that’s 2-for-1 up to $25,000! Your support is critical this year. As we celebrate Maestro Andrés Lopera’s inaugural season, maintain a seven-concert season with the addition of Family Concerts, and continue to prioritize a generous raise to every musician, your support is imperative. This year, 75% of the total budget will be directly spent on programming in Civic Hall and in the community.  This season ..read more

Now in its 67th season, the Richmond Symphony Orchestra is experiencing many firsts. At the conclusion of last season’s search, Maestro Andrés Lopera was appointed RSO’s fourth music director. Lopera quickly began to ask questions and deeply listen, gathering information that would inform his first season of programming. An emphasis on youth engagement was a core priority of the RSO board and patrons.  Lopera has infused his debut season, Play it Forward, with energy, momentum, and a commitment to access while maintaining RSO’s reputation for artistic excellence. In addition to five ..read more

RSO’s President’s Message I love the word “new.” It brings with it so many images and feelings, and this season of your Richmond Symphony Orchestra certainly has a lot of new! First, this is the inaugural season of our fourth Music Director, Maestro Andrés Lopera. Maestro Lopera brings more than 10 years of leadership experience with both professional orchestras and youth orchestras to his role here in Richmond, and we could not be more excited to see what he brings to the stage. His programs this season include 5 new works to the Civic Hall stage by composers Rossini, Weber, Zamora, Montgomer ..read more

RSO Music Director Andrés Lopera was interviewed by Kate Jetmore on the Western Wayne News Podcast in May, 2023. In this interview, Jetmore chats with Lopera about his transition to this exciting new role and what he hopes to achieve as the leader of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this fascinating conversation between Kate Jetmore and Andrés Lopera. Listen in English Escucha en Español ..read more

In January 2022, Matthew Kraemer was selected as one of the five finalists for the Music Director position that opened due to the retirement of the previous conductor Guy Bordo. A Richmond native, Kraemer has a long history with RSO dating back to his elementary school years. “My relationship with the RSO began in elementary school when I first heard the orchestra in Civic Hall (prior to its renovation)”, says Kraemer.  “Later, I would compete in the Young Artists’ Competition, perform in a side-by-side, and eventually serve as principal 2nd violin.  I returned to guest conduct the&n ..read more

Dear RSO Family, I don’t know about you, but I will never take an RSO season for granted again! While we were unable to be together in Civic Hall for 18 months, we certainly felt loved and supported by our community. Your expressions of concern for RSO staff, musicians, volunteers, and the symphony itself proved once again that Richmond is a community for the arts. I sincerely hope we can make up for lost time this season, and serve you as well as you have served us over the past year. I assure you that the RSO is coming out of a worldwide pandemic as a stronger organization than we were befor ..read more

Richmond Symphony Orchestra begins its 2021-22 season Saturday. RSO’s “String Orchestra Gems” begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the Civic Hall Performing Arts Center, 380 Hub Etchison Parkway, according to a release. The concert also will be the start of conductor Guy Victor Bordo’s 25th and final season with the RSO. Saturday’s concert marks RSO’s return to the Civic Hall stage for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. RSO’s 2019-20 season was stopped in March 2020, and the 2020-21 season was cancelled. The concert includes Donizetti’s “Allegro in C for Strings,” Pu ..read more

I couldn’t be more excited about this season as we start the final phase of the search for Richmond Symphony Orchestra’s 4th Music Director and my new colleague! This fall, we offer our community the chance to experience a New Perspective on the Civic Hall stage – in fact, five New Perspectives! In addition to their concert programs, we look forward to hearing our candidate’s vision for the RSO’s future as we continue to envision how the orchestra can best enhance life in our area. As always, we welcome ideas offered by our schools/teachers, community leaders, musicians, and you, our valued a ..read more

What a season we have planned for you! To say that there will be something for everyone next season would be an understatement. The search team is eager to see which finalist appeals the most to the board, musicians, staff, and you, our audience. Each candidate possesses a high level of artistry, proven skill at programming innovatively, a passion for audience development and attraction, strong interpersonal skills, and experience with educational outreach and collaborative efforts. You must be present to help us choose; your input is vital to the process. When we reflect on the tenure of the ..read more