Symphonicity Official Website

PART 4 (Finale): Programming with Purpose

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 15:14:11 -0700

PART 4 (Finale): Programming with Purpose

Virginia Beach has such a unique musical personality, and we love reflecting that in our programming choices. Our community includes military families, arts enthusiasts, families with young children, and many who may be experiencing orchestral music for the first time.

We take seriously our role in making classical music accessible and relevant. That might mean programming a patriotic concert around Veterans Day, featuring film scores that connect with younger audiences, or highlighting composers with local connections. It also means ensuring our concerts remain among the most affordable in the region. At times, that requires adjusting our artistic ambitions to keep ticket prices within reach.

Community feedback matters. After every concert, we’re listening—to comments, suggestions, and even overheard conversations in the lobby. When someone says, “That Dvořák was incredible—are you doing more Romantic-era music?” or “Please don’t ever program a piece like that again,” we take note for future consideration.

Our supporters and donors have interests as well, which can influence certain decisions. We’ve received offers to sponsor specific works (such as Beethoven’s Violin Concerto) or particular guest artists. At the same time, we hear broader perspectives—some advocating for more contemporary music, others preferring more traditional repertoire. Of course, everyone has an opinion! We can’t accommodate them all, but they all matter to us. We listen.

We are fortunate to share the Hampton Roads region with several outstanding orchestras, including the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra and our region’s flagship full-time ensemble, the Virginia...Read More

PART 3: How Do We Choose Guest Artists and New Composers?

Sat, 07 Mar 2026 22:53:27 -0800

PART 3: How Do We Choose Guest Artists and New Composers?

One of my favorite parts of planning a Symphonicity season is selecting the guest artists and composers who will join us on stage. When I consider artists for our programs, I look for musicians who will not only deliver extraordinary performances but also bring something meaningful to our community.

Local Connections and Community Relationships

Sometimes the connection begins close to home. Virginia Beach native Ànnika Jenkins is a wonderful example. She has a long history with our orchestra, dating back to when she was a young student violinist advocating for city support for our concert hall. Since then, she has trained at Juilliard and become an internationally recognized performer, scholar, and philanthropist. When she returns to perform with us today, she often attracts a large and enthusiastic following.

We are also fortunate to have remarkable composers living right here in our region. Richard Moriarty, for example, studied with both Richard Danielpour and Adolphus Hailstork and lives just around the corner from my house. I’ve had the pleasure of programming Dr. Moriarty’s thoughtful and beautifully crafted music alongside works by one of his teachers, Dr. Hailstork. Often referred to as the Dean of African-American composers, Dr. Hailstork is one of many outstanding artists whose presence enriches our musical community.

Matching...Read More

PART 2: How Do We Select The Music?

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 11:53:37 -0800

PART 2: How Do We Select the Music?
This is where things really start to get interesting—and where the complexity of planning a season truly reveals itself.
When we begin a new planning cycle, we don’t start with a list of random favorite pieces. We start by asking a series of guiding questions. Each one shapes the season in a different way, and none of them exists in isolation.
What story do we want to tell this season?
I have always aimed to build each Symphonicity season around a central theme. That might be a celebration of American composers, an exploration of music from different cultures, or a more novel concept—like our Pianorama season, which featured a piano concerto on every program.
Themes can be challenging. Yes, they can feel limiting at times, and I’ve certainly experienced that. But overall, a theme gives the season a sense of cohesion—a large musical arc rather than a series of unrelated events.
From a practical standpoint, this also helps us focus our branding, marketing, and messaging. Instead of reinventing the wheel for every concert, we can tell one larger story over time. That saves money, builds recognition, and helps generate momentum across the entire season. For an orchestra with limited resources but ambitious goals, this kind of cohesion matters.
Where do we find the music?
Some of it is already on our shelves. Our music library contains roughly 400 works, most of them older, public-domain pieces that orchestras have relied on for generations.
Beyond that, there are reference tools—such as David Daniels’ Orchestral Music: A Handbook—which is essentially an encyclopedic guide to thousands of...Read More

PART 1: Who's Actually Making These Programming Decisions?

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:31:36 -0700

Ever wonder how we decide what music to play each season? Behind every concert you attend, there's a fascinating and exhuastive process that brings together artistic vision, community input, and a whole lot of passionate discussion. Let's pull back the curtain on how Symphonicity crafts each season's musical journey in this 4-part series!

Part 1: Who's Actually Making These Programming Decisions? ←You Are Here!
Part 2: How Do We Actually Pick the Music?
Part 3: How Do We Choose Guest Artists and New Composers?
Part 4 (Finale): Programming with Purpose
PART 1: Who's Actually Making These Programming Decisions?
It's definitely not just one person sitting in a room picking their favorite pieces! Our programming process is beautifully collaborative, involving multiple voices and perspectives.
As Music Director, I lead the artistic vision, but the deadlines are demanding. I have to meet December deadlines for our orchestra groups and board committees to review proposals. Collectively, we have to meet February deadlines for grant submissions and marketing agency production. Guest artists, in particular, need their schedules confirmed at least a year or more in advance. Here's how it breaks down:
The Two-Season Horizon
I have to start thinking two seasons ahead, which is about 24 to 18 months in advance. In practical terms, that means that in the current season, I'm putting the final touches on plans that I first started socializing during last season. And after I'm done planning next season, while still...Read More