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 Symphony Orchestra (VSO). The VSO also performs in our primary venue, and during the summer, we even rotate concert weeks at the Oceanfront stage. We make a conscious effort to ensure our programming does not conflict with theirs.
Over time, we’ve developed a collegial relationship with these organizations, looking out for one another whenever possible. At Symphonicity, we also hope our programming inspires deeper interest in symphonic music—interest that often extends to attending concerts by these exceptional ensembles. Additionally, the Hampton Roads Philharmonic and the Orchestra of the Eastern Shore are two other community orchestras within our orbit, both presenting strong masterworks programming each season.
With so many organizations in the region, it’s important to stay aware of one another’s plans. For example, it benefits no one if multiple orchestras program Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony in the same season. Coordinating this balance can be challenging—but it’s a great problem to have. Our region is rich with talent and performing arts opportunities.
Our city also has a clear arts vision that helps guide us. Virginia Beach is a committed, diverse, and culturally engaged community that supports both visual and performing arts at all levels. Our nonprofit arts sector represents an approximately $60 million industry, supporting over 1,000 full-time jobs and generating nearly $6 million in local and state revenue. That impact deserves thoughtful support—and our city has a plan to provide it.
The Virginia Beach Arts Plan 2030, developed in 2015 with significant community input, outlines how the city supports and integrates the arts into everyday life. One of its stated goals is to “stimulate, strengthen, and revive the mind, body, and spirit.”
As the city’s symphony orchestra, we take this plan seriously and use it to guide our programming and outreach. In particular, we align with several of its key goals:
- Encourage culturally relevant programming: We intentionally program music that reflects the diversity of our community. This includes partnerships with the Virginia African American Cultural Center, the Virginia Japan Society, and the Tidewater Ukrainian Cultural Association. Virginia Beach is also home to one of the largest Filipino populations on the East Coast. Our focus on Filipino music led to the world premiere of ANIMA by composer Jem Talaroc, which received national recognition in the Philippines. We even live-streamed the performance to audiences there.
- Strengthen the arts community: We view our programming as an opportunity not only to showcase our orchestra but to collaborate across the broader arts ecosystem. Our concerts have included partnerships with the Virginia Beach Chorale, Tidewater Winds, the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, Ballet Virginia, and Arthur Murray Dance Studios. We’ve also collaborated with artists such as painter Gerome Meminger, author and journalist Vincent Schilling, storyteller Shari Barbour, and blues harmonica artist Bobby BlackHat—each contributing to our local cultural fabric.
- Enhance the value and impact of the Sandler Center: Our performances fully utilize the capabilities of our home venue, the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts. A Symphonicity concert is more than a sit-and-listen experience. We incorporate lighting, spatial, and audio elements to enhance the performance, and we offer masterclasses and pre-concert events in the Miller Studio. Our chamber musicians even perform during gallery events in the lobby, helping activate the full venue experience.
- Promote Virginia Beach as a creative and cultural community: We have supported this goal through initiatives that extend beyond our city. In 2018, we created what is believed to be the only binaural recording of Handel’s Messiah, featuring a live 1,000-member community chorus. This project was later featured in The Soul Feels Its Worth by Hillery Schanck. In 2019, we partnered with Three Notch’d Brewing to create a custom beer, “Bachtoberfest,” sold throughout stores everhwere, and tied to our “Bach to the Future” season that featured J.S. Bach in every concert. We’ve also collaborated with jazz artist Jae Sinnett on a live recording that earned a VEER Magazine award and has been distributed internationally. In addition, several of our digital videos have reached wide audiences online, earning hundreds of thousands of views, showcasing both our orchestra and our city.
In Conclusion
Programming is not just a task—it is a complex process shaped by many factors, influences, and goals. No single concert or season can be everything to everyone. But at Symphonicity, we strive to offer something meaningful for every listener over the arc of a season—and across many seasons.
As you’ve seen throughout this series, programming is not an exact science. It is a deliberate and carefully considered art.
Great programming isn’t just about what we play—it’s about who we serve.
Thanks for reading and see you at the concert!
CRAFTING A SYMPHONY SEASON: The Art & Heart Behind Symphonicity's Programming
Part 1: Who's Actually Making These Programming Decisions?
Part 2: How Do We Select the Music?
Part 3: How Do We Choose Guest Artists and New Composers?
Part 4 (Finale): Programming with Purpose ←You Are Here!