Roanoke Symphony Orchestra

Last updated
Roanoke Symphony Orchestra (RSO)
Orchestra
Founded1953
Location Roanoke, Virginia, United States
Concert hall Berglund Performing Arts Theatre
Music director David S. Wiley
Website rso.com

The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, also known as the "RSO", was established in 1953 by Gibson Morrissey and a number of other music lovers. Gibson Morrissey served as the conductor until his death in 1975.

Contents

The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra has professional musicians who are awarded positions through competitive auditions.

Conductors

Concertmasters

Roanoke Youth Symphony

The Roanoke Youth Symphony has three ensembles: The Roanoke Youth Symphony Orchestra (RYSO); the String Ensemble and the Flute Ensemble. The RSO and the Roanoke City Schools were joint recipients of the 2015 Yale Distinguished Music Educator Award. It has performed various programs for students of the area. [2]

Roanoke Youth Symphony Orchestra

The Roanoke Youth Symphony Orchestra (RYSO) was established in 1956, and is the only professional orchestra training opportunity in western Virginia. This is a student orchestra made of more than 80 musicians, ranging in ages from 12 to 18. James Glazebrook has been the director since 1988. Musicians gain membership through annual auditions and may perform with the RYSO through their high school graduation.

String Ensemble

The String Ensemble was established in 1985 and is composed of about 50 string players ranging from ages 8 to 15. They rehearse weekly under the guidance and instruction of Ms. Michelle Smith Johnson. [3]

Flute Ensemble

The Flute Ensemble was established in 2008, and is under the direction and instruction of Julee Hickcox, Principal Piccolo of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra. [4]

Roanoke Symphony Chorus

The Roanoke Symphony Chorus was established in 1999 under the direction of Dr. John Hugo. In 2015, the "RSO's Holiday Pops" reaches over 6,000 music lovers in Virginia. The C Choir of the Roanoke Valley Children's Choir also participates with the RSO in the Holiday Pops each year. [5]

Support

The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra concerts and education programs are supported in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. The RSO is also supported by a number of local community groups, as well as "The Friends of the RSO"; the "New River Valley Friends of the RSO" and the Virginia Blue Ridge Musical Festival."

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References

  1. "Victoria Bond". Women's Studies Encyclopedia, Volume 1. 1999. Page 294.
  2. "RSO's patriotic program an inspiration." Roanoke Times. March 5, 2012.
  3. "Roanoke Youth Symphony String Ensemble - Roanoke Symphony Orchestra". rso.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-03.
  4. "Roanoke Youth Symphony Flute Ensemble - Roanoke Symphony Orchestra". rso.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-03.
  5. Meidlinger, Lillian King. 2017. "Roanoke Valley Children's Choir: In Tune with Excellence for Thirty Years." Growing Up in the Valley. Volume 5, issue 9, May 2017. Pages 13-14.

Bibliography