2024–2025: Classical Cornerstones
The 51Ç鱨վ Symphony Orchestra’s 2024–25 season includes pieces that are iconic cornerstones of the classical repertoire: Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, Brahms’s German Requiem, and Handel’s Messiah. But we also we kick off the season with a celebration of frontier exploration in both music and science, including Holst’s Planets, two new compositions (an overture by James Gammon and a violin concerto by Paul Sanho Kim, featuring the composer as soloist), and music featured in Stanley Kubrick’s "2001: A Space Odyssey." We are excited to invite Dr. William McClain of the Columbus Symphony in Indiana and the Millikin-Decatur Symphony in Illinois as a guest conductor, and we look forward to collaborating twice this season with the 51Ç鱨վ Concert Choir as well as the winner of our annual Young Artists Competition. If you were ever considering a season to take part or to check us out, this is the season to do it!
About the Orchestra
Founded in 1977, theÌý51Ç鱨վ Symphony OrchestraÌý(51Ç鱨վSO) performs works from the standard classical and contemporary repertoire for full orchestra. It is a fantastic opportunity to interact with other passionate student musicians who work together and challenge each other to make music of the highest quality possible.
51Ç鱨վSO is open to all students, faculty, and staff at 51Ç鱨վ by audition. Community members may also audition and are considered on an as-needed basis.
In addition to a diverse repertoire from all periods and styles, the 51Ç鱨վSO:
- features faculty soloists from 51Ç鱨վ and beyond
- hosts a department-wide Young Artist Competition in the fall with the winners appearing in the spring
- collaborates with leading high school orchestras in the region
Several concerts are performed each season featuring both symphonic and string orchestra literature, often in conjunction with the Concert Choir and 51Ç鱨վ Opera. The orchestra also occasionally serves as a laboratory orchestra for composition and conducting students.
The following links below provide additional information about the 51Ç鱨վ Symphony Orchestra. Please contactÌýDr. Paul Sanho KimÌýif you are interested in joining!
51Ç鱨վ Side by Side with the Virginia Symphony
The 51Ç鱨վ Symphony Orchestra teamed up with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra for the first time in 2018 with a side-by-side "Russian Perspectives" concert. Works included Rimsky-Korsakov'sÌýRussian Easter Overture,Ìýled by music director Paul Kim; Shchedrin'sÌýCarmen Suite,Ìýconducted by percussion instructor David Walker and featuring the 51Ç鱨վ Percussion Ensemble; and Mussorgsky'sÌýPictures at an Exhibition,Ìýled by VSO's Benjamin Rous.
Mahler Symphony No. 1, side by side with the Bay Youth Symphony Orchestra, 2017
