From Mendelssohn to the music of Batman, local residents and visitors can experience in-person symphonic music at various Hampton Roads scenic out- venues this summer for free.
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra will present nine free concerts in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Williamsburg, Chesapeake and Yorktown.
Community and Marketing Manager De’Jonna Mayo, said the symphony offers the performances because “we like to do it for those who enjoy the symphony but maybe can’t afford it or are curious about it. It’s a great way to see a concert with children and enjoy the music without having to worry about a dress code.”
Four different concert sets will be performed across the region:
- July 11, Virginia Beach: The first concert in Virginia Beach will be “Symphonic Summer Games,” a salute to the upcoming summer Olympics. Morihiko Nakahara will conduct the music from sports events and films.
- July 21, Norfolk and July 25, Virginia Beach: Todd Craven will conduct “Where Wishes Come True: A Night of Enchanted Melodies” at Town Point Park in Norfolk and again at Neptune’s Park in Virginia Beach. Music from classic animated movies from Disney and Dreamworks are on the set list.
- Aug. 15, Virginia Beach: “Wedding Bells and Pachelbel” is music usually played at wedding ceremonies and receptions. The set includes instrumentals like “Trumpet Voluntary,” “Pachelbel’s Canon” and “Mendelssohn’s Wedding March.” That set will be rounded out with contemporary music from groups like Kool and the Gang and conducted by Helen Martell. Local cellist and vocalist BJ Griffin will also appear for a special performance.
- Aug. 30, Williamsburg; Aug. 31, Yorktown; Sept. 1, Chesapeake; Sept. 3, Virginia Beach: A combination of music and storytelling will be featured at the Symphony’s performance of “Once Upon a Symphony.” Conducted by Brandon Eldredge, it will include music from the ballet “Swan Lake” and “Man of La Mancha.” There will also be contemporary music from the movies “Superman” and “Indiana Jones.”
In addition to the Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s free concerts, Virginia Beach’s community symphony, Symphonicity, will host two free concerts in the city over the summer.
Vocalist Kathryn Whitbeck will perform music from James Bond and other action movies in August’s “Hearts & Heroes” performance.
Later that month, Symphonicity will showcase classical music from the “Looney Tunes” series as well as “The Chicken Dance” and “Barber of Seville. WHRO’s classical music host Raymond Jones will also be part of the evening.
Find more information, including tickets and time, from the Virginia Symphony Orchestra.
