Richmond Symphony

The Rocky Horror Show
2025-10-31 19:00 (America/New_York) | Carpenter Theatre, 612 East Grace Street, Richmond , VA, 23219, United States
Parental Advisory
This performance embraces the wild, weird, and wonderfully risqué world of Rocky Horror. It includes mature content and is best suited for audiences 17 and older. Please contact Patron Services at patronservices@richmondsymphony.com or 804.788.1212 x2 for more information.

Rocky Horror on Halloween! The Richmond Symphony is joined by actors from the Richmond Triangle Players for a production of The Rocky Horror Show – still a smash hit after 50+ years! “Dammit, Janet” you’ve got to be there!
No props please. But costumes and callbacks are encouraged!
Click here for a Callback Guide!

The Science of Sound
2025-11-02 15:00 | Perkinson Center for the Arts & Education
Join your Richmond Symphony for an exploration of The Science of Sound! Presented in collaboration with the Science Museum of Virginia, this program invites you to discover how orchestral instruments create sound and the mechanics of sound waves from outer space to the deep sea. This concert will feature Haydn’s Symphony No. 94, Gregory Smith’s VIBE, and John Adams’ Short Ride in a Fast Machine and is narrated by Teddy McPherson.
Be there at 2pm as the Science Museum of Virginia gives a pre-show demonstration: Listen up! We’re exploring the science behind sound waves. We’ll blow your mind—but not your eardrums—with the power of sound.”
While designed for ages 7-13, all ages are welcome. Children 2 and under are free if seated in an adult’s lap. Seating for this concert is general admission.

Beethoven Violin Concerto
2025-11-08 19:30, 2025-11-09 15:00 | Carpenter Theatre, 612 East Grace Street, Richmond , VA, 23219, United States
Francesca Dego, who thrilled Richmond audiences in her 2024 debut, returns for Beethoven’s towering Violin Concerto. Of her Beethoven, the Dallas Morning News raved: “She proved that pianissimos can be as gripping as fortissimos. Her gleaming tone was striking, with commitment, facility, and finesse. A rock-star ovation was rewarded.” Valentina Peleggi also conducts Charles Ives’s truth- searching meditation, The Unanswered Question, and Dvořák’s broodingly powerful Symphony No. 7.

Fall Youth Orchestra Program
2025-11-09 18:30 | Dominion Energy Center, 600 E Grace St, Richmond, VA, 23219, United States
From first notes to pre-collegiate performances, Richmond Symphony’s Youth Orchestra Program concerts celebrate the talent and dedication of young musicians across our region. Join us at the Carpenter Theatre and be inspired by all five YOP ensembles: String Sinfonietta, Camerata Strings, Youth Concert Orchestra, the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra, and Percussion Ensemble, performing works by Mozart, Grieg, and more.

String Sinfonietta, conducted by Matt Wilson
Camerata Strings, conducted by Melissa Jones
Youth Concert Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Sandy Goldie
Percussion Ensemble, directed by Dr. Justin Alexander
Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra, conducted by Hae Lee

One Piece Music Symphony
2025-11-15 19:00 | Altria Theater, 6 North Laurel Street, Richmond , VA, 23220, United States
The globally beloved phenomenon One Piece, known for its epic adventure and incredibly rich and detailed world, is brought to life in a stunning musical symphony that features the greatest moments from the show on screen in perfect sync.

Let It Snow!
2025-11-29 14:00 | Carpenter Theatre, 612 East Grace Street, Richmond , VA, 23219, United States
It’s Richmond’s favorite holiday musical tradition. Celebrate the season with family and friends with your Richmond Symphony and Richmond Symphony Chorus at the Carpenter Theatre on Thanksgiving Weekend. Hae Lee conducts. Features Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus!
JUST ANNOUNCED: Laura Ann Singh joins the Richmond Symphony for Let It Snow! A multilingual singer celebrated for her captivating interpretations of música popular brasileira and Latin boleros, Singh brings global flair and soulful elegance to the stage. With performances spanning Europe, Russia, and South America, along with featured appearances on NPR’s Tiny Desk and at New York City’s globalFEST, her voice has delighted audiences around the world. She lends her radiant style to timeless holiday classics in an unforgettable evening of music, joy, and winter wonder
Two chances to enjoy this holiday favorite at 2pm and 7pm!
CONCERT SPONSOR

Let It Snow!
2025-11-29 19:00 | Carpenter Theatre, 612 East Grace Street, Richmond , VA, 23219, United States
It’s Richmond’s favorite holiday musical tradition. Celebrate the season with family and friends with your Richmond Symphony and Richmond Symphony Chorus at the Carpenter Theatre on Thanksgiving Weekend. Hae Lee conducts. Features Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus!
JUST ANNOUNCED: Laura Ann Singh joins the Richmond Symphony for Let It Snow! A multilingual singer celebrated for her captivating interpretations of música popular brasileira and Latin boleros, Singh brings global flair and soulful elegance to the stage. With performances spanning Europe, Russia, and South America, along with featured appearances on NPR’s Tiny Desk and at New York City’s globalFEST, her voice has delighted audiences around the world. She lends her radiant style to timeless holiday classics in an unforgettable evening of music, joy, and winter wonder
Two chances to enjoy this holiday favorite at 2pm and 7pm!
MAKE IT A HOLIDAY WEEKEND! CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE HOLIDAY BRASS AND THE 7PM LET IT SNOW: https://www.etix.com/ticket/k/29245743/

CONCERT SPONSOR

Holiday Brass
2025-11-30 15:00 | Carpenter Theatre, 612 East Grace Street, Richmond , VA, 23219, United States
Your new holiday favorite moves to the Carpenter Theatre! Deck the halls – with Holiday Brass! A shimmering celebration of holiday hits for the whole family!

MAKE IT A HOLIDAY WEEKEND! CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE HOLIDAY BRASS AND THE 7PM LET IT SNOW: https://www.etix.com/ticket/k/29245743/

Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sale
2025-12-01 00:01 - 23:59 | Carpenter Theatre, 612 East Grace Street, Richmond , VA, 23219, United States
Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sale

Save 50% off Adult prices for select Side Orchestra seats
for all January concerts AND Band Geek Date Night.
Select the Black Fri-Cyber Mon price code when purchasing online. The discount is incorporated into the price. Limit four per concert. Valid Friday, November 28 through Monday, December 1.

An African American Requiemon Sat, Jan 17 and Sun, Jan 18

Pastor Mike Jr. Symphony Praise Party on Sat, Jan 24

Conrad Tao Plays Gershwin on Sat Jan 31 and Sun, Feb 1

Band Geek Date Night, Sat April 18

RESTRICTIONS: Additional tickets may be added to the order using the normal price codes. Discount cannot be combined with other offers and cannot be used retroactively. Offer valid from Friday, November 28 through midnight, Monday, December 1. You can also call Richmond Symphony Patron Services at 804.788.1212 on Friday or Monday (9am to 5pm).

Holiday Festival of Music – Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
2025-12-01 19:00 - 21:00 | Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 800 S Cathedral Pl, Richmond, VA, 23220, United States

Santa's Symphony Soirée
2025-12-11 18:00 - 21:00 | Virago Spirits Scott’s Addition, 1727 Rhoadmiller St., Richmond, VA, 23220, United States
Unleash your inner holiday goofball! Join the Richmond Symphony for an evening filled with over-the-top fun, tacky-lights, dazzling decor, holiday cocktails and festive chamber music. This whimsical concert benefits the Richmond Symphony’s music education programs!

Damien Geter's An African American Requiem
2026-01-17 19:30, 2026-01-18 15:00 | Carpenter Theatre, 612 East Grace Street, Richmond , VA, 23219, United States
In composing his epic, moving Requiem, Damien Geter was inspired by those composed earlier by Mozart, Berlioz, Brahms, and especially Verdi. Within the traditional Latin text, Geter’s Requiem weaves the words of victims of lynching and of those who dared speak out. “A Requiem memorializes a person,” Geter has stated. “We need to memorialize these folks in some way, to keep their names alive. And this is the way I choose to honor them.”

History, Influences, & Musical Preview

Richmond Symphony composer-in-residence Damien Geter began composing “An African-American Requiem” in 2016, commissioned by Resonance Ensemble, and premiered the work with the Oregon Symphony in 2022. As a musical response to violence against Black Americans, Geter modeled the twenty-movement composition after Verdi’s “Requiem.” He combines traditional Latin Requiem texts with civil rights declarations, poetry, and Eric Garner’s last words, “I can’t breathe.”
Musical moment to listen for:
In the movement Lacrimosa (Latin for weeping or tearful), Geter writes a haunting clarinet solo echoing the Star-Spangled Banner in D minor, but something is missing. Although there are no lyrics to this solo, the memorable melody has you following them long enough to notice that he omits the promised peak note "free" from the phrase. The silence is deafening, as Geter's message is clear.
"In a concert setting, we are forced to listen to, and take in, not only the music, but the message. Music can be a conduit in that way, bridging the reluctant person’s heart to that of a broader human experience." — Damien Geter

Foreword by Aminata R. Sei for "An African American Requiem"

Damien Geter has masterfully curated this renaissance on a canvas of our consciousness and our necessary call to duty. This Requiem is as it should be-sobering and bold. A Thank You is in order, from me and from you, for his courage and vision, and for the hope it instills in our community. The work is a most salient reminder of our struggle, of where it began, how far we have come and the promise that rests in where we are headed.
Hostility and strife prevail, a seeming disregard for life and a conjuring of the pain of past atrocities. Devaluation of Black lives. This continued denigration of our culture, of black men and women, and sometimes of black children, must stop. The communal impact of generational and systemic discrimination over time is loss of confidence and a diminished will power. That is the unfortunate truth. This requiem defies that truth. It beckons from our souls a sense of fresh optimism so listen for it between the notes. Let that resonance overcome. Damien Geter presents a powerful and eclectic arrangement that reassures us of the courage of the likes of Ida B Wells. He shines a light on the truth that is the revolution of each movement. History bears witness to Beethoven’s monumental influence on symphony; the impact of emotions on classical music, and this Requiem illuminates the fire on that torch; it heightens all of ours.
Where others had stood up and spoken out, today this composer with unmatched creative genius has made his mark by gifting the world with a remarkable musical transcription. A war song. An anthem. Through moments of deep reflection you’ll come to appreciate that this Requiem is no dirge. It is a sacred call. Every chord striking a memory of all of the souls of our dearly departed from whom life was unjustly taken. A reckoning of love and hope. This work will revolutionize our path to activism. It is pacesetting classical music. Other greats have left their mark, and I am certain so will this maestro.
James Baldwin said it best, “you write to change the world…” Damien Geter was born to write this masterpiece, and it will change how we show up in the world.
— Aminata R. Sei

Pastor Mike Jr.
2026-01-24 19:00 | Carpenter Theatre, 612 East Grace Street, Richmond , VA, 23219, United States
Let the church say, Amen! Pastor Mike Jr. brings his award-winning sound to the Richmond Symphony stage for a ‘Gospel Symphony Praise Party.’ Experience the power of orchestral arrangements by the masterful Dr. Henry Panion III blended with the energy of live praise & worship songs.

Pastor Mike Jr.

Pastor Mike Jr. founded Rock City Church in Birmingham, Alabama, transforming it into one of the region’s fastest-growing ministries and a vibrant hub for faith and community impact. He launched his music career officially in 2019 with the debut album Live Free, which soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart. Following that, his releases I Got It: Singles Ministry, Vol. 1 (2021) and Impossible (2023) consistently dominated Billboard’s Gospel rankings. Pastor Mike Jr. has earned a remarkable collection of accolades: 28 Stellar Awards, multiple GMA Dove Awards, BET Award nominations, and now, a 2026 GRAMMY nomination.
Pastor Mike Jr. shows that faith and culture aren’t in conflict, they thrive together. Through his mission-driven work, he champions families and empowers students to dream beyond limits, all while pairing these efforts with his powerful music.
Musical moment to listen for:
His powerful anthem “Amen,” dropped in January 2025, earned a 2026 GRAMMY nomination for Best Gospel Performance/Song. The track hit No. 1 on both Billboard’s Gospel Airplay and National Gospel Airplay charts. Celebrated for its authenticity and relatable grit, “Amen” bridges spiritual depth with a contemporary tone - a signature of Pastor Mike Jr.’s ministry and music mission.
Now, that mission ignites the Gospel Symphony Praise Party. Backed by the Richmond Symphony and elevated by Dr. Henry Panion’s masterful arrangements, Pastor Mike Jr.’s dynamic praise anthems will resonate like never before. It’s more than a concert; it’s a movement of faith, music, and community coming together in one unforgettable night.

Dr. Henry Panion III

Dr. Henry Panion III, PhD, serves as Professor of Music & Director of Music Technology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He brings multi-genre expertise spanning gospel, classical, R&B, hip-hop, and more. A distinguished alumnus (Alabama A&M, Ohio State), he’s earned top honors including the Congressional Black Caucus Civic & Cultural Advancement Award, induction into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, and the Governor’s Arts Award.
Career highlights: then & now
Dr. Henry Panion III’s legendary partnership with Stevie Wonder spans more than three decades, defining a new era of symphonic soul. As arranger and conductor for Wonder’s acclaimed Natural Wonder tour and live album, Panion led world-class orchestras, including the Tokyo Philharmonic, in breathtaking performances of Stevie’s greatest hits. His artistry has graced stages across the globe, from the Royal Philharmonic to the Melbourne Symphony, blending orchestral grandeur with Wonder’s timeless sound. This enduring collaboration, rooted in musical excellence and cultural impact, cements Panion as one of the most influential voices in bridging classical and contemporary music.
Now, that same brilliance comes to Richmond. After decades of shaping symphonic experiences for Stevie Wonder and other music legends, Dr. Panion brings his unmatched artistry to the Gospel Symphony Praise Party. His orchestral arrangements will transform Pastor Mike Jr.’s chart-topping praise anthems into a sweeping, soul-stirring celebration where gospel energy meets symphonic grandeur in a way only Panion can deliver.

Conrad Tao Plays Gershwin
2026-01-31 19:30, 2026-02-01 15:00 | Carpenter Theatre, 612 East Grace Street, Richmond , VA, 23219, United States
Just 30, Conrad Tao, says the Detroit Free Press “owns a place among the world’s virtuosos. he blew the doors off in a performance hair-raising in its technical brilliance.” Experience his phenomenal artistry in music from the jazz-age: George Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F. and his mercurial homage to Gershwin, Flung Out. And rising American conductor Ben Manis leads Mozart’s great, final Symphony No. 41, the “Jupiter.”

Side-by-Side
2026-02-03 19:00 | Dominion Energy Center, 600 E Grace St, Richmond, VA, 23219, United States
Experience a powerful Side-by-Side performance featuring the Richmond Symphony and Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra. This free concert offers young musicians the rare opportunity to rehearse and perform alongside professional artists – deepening connection, elevating artistry, and inspiring the next generation of music-makers. A thrilling performance that celebrates mentorship, collaboration, and the vibrant musical future of our community.

Voice of a Nation
2026-02-06 19:30 | Perkinson Center for the Arts & Education
Music Director Valentina Peleggi leads an evocative evening of American music that explores memory, poetry, and the lyrical power of the human voice. The program opens with Philip Glass’s mesmerizing Company for Strings, a minimalist gem of emotional restraint and quiet intensity. George Walker’s poignant Elegy for String Orchestra follows, a work of deep reflection and soulful beauty.
The centerpiece of the evening features two celebrated vocal works: Aaron Copland’s Eight Poems of Emily Dickinson, a haunting and intimate song cycle that brings the poet’s introspective world to life, and Samuel Barber’s beloved Knoxville: Summer of 1915, a nostalgic, richly orchestrated reverie on childhood, based on a prose poem by James Agee. Richmond native Alicia Russell Tagert joins the Symphony with her “bright and effortless soprano” (Fargo Inforum).
A journey through the soundscape of 20th-century America, Voice of a Nation offers a rare opportunity to experience iconic works that illuminate the emotional and poetic heart of a nation.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince™ in Concert
2026-02-07 14:00, 2026-02-07 19:30 | Altria Theater, 6 North Laurel Street, Richmond , VA, 23220, United States
See when Harry discovers a mysterious potions book in CineConcerts’ presentation of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince™ in Concert! Projected onto a giant screen and accompanied by a live symphony orchestra, you can join in on Harry’s adventures as never before. Nicholas Hooper’s wonderful score and this classic tale combine to deliver all the adventure, humor, and suspense you remember in an experience you’ll never forget.
All characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR.
This performance is presented by CineConcerts. Tickets must be purchased through the Altria Theater. Richmond Symphony vouchers, discounts, gift cards, exchanges, etc are not applicable for this event. Thank you.

Voice of a Nation
2026-02-07 19:35 | St. Christopher’s School, 6010 Fergusson Rd, Richmond, VA, 23226, United States

Let's Groove Tonight
2026-02-20 19:00 | Carpenter Theatre, 612 East Grace Street, Richmond , VA, 23219, United States
Led by Broadway superstar Chester Gregory and vocal powerhouses Cherise Coaches & Brik Liam, this incredible evening is full of classic hit songs made famous by The Spinners, The Stylistics, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Lou Rawls, Diana Ross, Gamble & Huff and more.

A Tribute to Arthur Fiedler
2026-02-21 15:00 | Carpenter Theatre, 612 East Grace Street, Richmond , VA, 23219, United States
For nearly half a century, Arthur Fiedler was The Boston Pops. Be there for the music Fiedler made famous. Hear beloved pieces like the ‘1812 Overture,’ selections from ‘The Sound of Music,’ and more. The magic of “The Fiedler Tradition” live, in concert.

Carnival of the Animals
2026-02-22 15:00 | Carpenter Theatre, 612 East Grace Street, Richmond , VA, 23219, United States
A delightful musical menagerie comes to life in this whimsical family-friendly program featuring Camille Saint-Saëns’ The Carnival of the Animals. Packed with humor, imagination, and vivid musical storytelling, this beloved suite introduces audiences of all ages to a charming parade of creatures from the regal lion and graceful swan to playful kangaroos and a curious aquarium.
With expressive orchestration and plenty of surprises, The Carnival of the Animals is a timeless favorite that’s perfect for children, newcomers to classical music, and anyone young at heart.
Bring the whole family for an unforgettable journey through Saint-Saëns’ animal kingdom.

Romeo & Juliet, Boléro & More
2026-02-28 19:30, 2026-03-01 15:00 | Carpenter Theatre, 612 East Grace Street, Richmond , VA, 23219, United States
Valentina Peleggi conducts a moving program centered on stories of love and resilience. Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet brings Shakespeare’s tale to life with sweeping emotion. Damien Geter’s world premiere Suite adapted from his Loving v. Virginia Opera reflects on a landmark civil rights case through a deeply personal sonic lens. espighi’s Roman Festivals explodes with rhythm and spectacle, capturing the joy and chaos of ancient celebrations. Ravel’s Boléro closes the evening with its hypnotic build and unforgettable finale.

Brahms & Dvořák
2026-03-07 19:30, 2026-03-08 15:00 | Carpenter Theatre, 612 East Grace Street, Richmond , VA, 23219, United States
The great strength and nobility of Brahms’ Fourth and final Symphony places it among his most profound achievements. Valentina Peleggi conducts, and the Richmond Symphony’s own Neal Cary plays Dvořák’s elegy for a long-lost love, the impassioned Cello Concerto, composed during the composer’s American sojourn. To begin, a colorful new work, commissioned by the Richmond Symphony from Jasmine Guo. A composer for cinema as well as the concert stage, her distinguished works have been honored and acclaimed.

Music at Hardywood
2026-03-19 18:30 | Hardywood Park Craft Brewery Richmond, 2408-2410 Ownby Lane, Richmond, VA, 23220, United States
Enjoy beer, pizza, and orchestra music at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery. These casual, intimate concerts are a whole new way to experience the Richmond Symphony. This concert takes place at the Richmond-Scott’s Addition location.
