Steven Smith News

December 23, 2014 – Richmond, Virginia the Richmond Symphony invites you to experience Rachmaninoff 2, on Saturday, January 17 at 8:00 pm and Sunday, January 18 at 3:00 pm at the Carpenter Theatre at Richmond CenterStage. This is the third Altria Masterworks Concert of the 2014-2015 season and will be led by Music Director Steven Smith.

The Desert Rose Playhouse, in Rancho Mirage California, is presenting a hilariously funny sendup of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, SCROOGE IN ROUGE. The plot's premise is that a small music hall on London's outskirts plans to present A CHRISTMAS CAROL. When all but three actors in the twenty-member cast develop food poisoning, the three decide to go forward with each of them taking on multiple roles. The puns and other corny jokes fly in this brilliant production. If you see only one version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL this year, it should be this one.

The Richmond Symphony, its Board of Directors, Musicians, Chorus and Staff are saddened to learn of the passing of James Erb, founder and former director of the Richmond Symphony Chorus, and life-long friend to the organization. Erb organized the all-volunteer Richmond Symphony Chorus in 1971 for a performance of Beethoven's Missa Solemnis, under guest conductor Robert Shaw. For 36 years, Erb continued to direct and build the Chorus to reflect the Symphony's high standards. He will be deeply missed by the RSO family as it reflects on his immeasurable positive impact on the Symphony, the Chorus and their ability to present world-class performances in Richmond and beyond. A testament to his lasting legacy is the Richmond Symphony Foundation's James Erb Choral Chair endowment fund of $400,000 that supports its Choral Director position in perpetuity.

October 28, 2014 – Richmond, Virginia Concerts presented by the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program (YOP) highlight some of the region's top young musicians. Students from grades 2 to 12 make up four ensembles, ranging from beginner to advanced. These FREE educational concerts are great for music-lovers of all ages.

The Richmond Symphony invites you to experience Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4, tonight, November 8 at 8pm at the Carpenter Theatre at Richmond CenterStage. This is the second Altria Masterworks Concert of the 2014-2015 season and will be led by Music Director Steven Smith.

October 28, 2014 – Richmond, Virginia Concerts presented by the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program (YOP) highlight some of the region's top young musicians. Students from grades 2 to 12 make up four ensembles, ranging from beginner to advanced. These FREE educational concerts are great for music-lovers of all ages.

The Richmond Symphony invites you to experience Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4, on Saturday, November 8 at 8pm at the Carpenter Theatre at Richmond CenterStage. This is the second Altria Masterworks Concert of the 2014-2015 season and will be led by Music Director Steven Smith.

One-hour long Rush Hour concerts are a great way to experience live music in an informal and relaxed smaller setting. Rush Hour concerts are perfect for those new to the orchestra experience, as well as for the most die-hard listeners.

One-hour long Rush Hour concerts are a great way to experience live music in an informal and relaxed smaller setting. Rush Hour concerts are perfect for those new to the orchestra experience, as well as for the most die-hard listeners.

The Desert Rose Playhouse, the Valley's live stage company serving the LGBT community, will present THE STOPS, a new musical by Eric Lane Barnes, opening Today, June 13, 2014 for a six-week run. Performances are Todays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 2 PM. In this very unique, original, and funny show, three members of the North American Lady Organists Guild (NALOG) spread their Gospel as 'The Stops,' an Andrews Sisters-esque trio of different faiths united in their love of song. 'Ginny', 'Euglena', and 'Rose' perform a benefit concert for their mentor Dale Meadows, a church music director and songwriter recently ousted from his tabernacle because of his sexuality (he's gay!)

The Desert Rose Playhouse, the Valley's live stage company serving the LGBT community, will present THE STOPS, a new musical by Eric Lane Barnes, opening Friday, June 13, 2014 for a six-week run. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 2 PM. In this very unique, original, and funny show, three members of the North American Lady Organists Guild (NALOG) spread their Gospel as 'The Stops,' an Andrews Sisters-esque trio of different faiths united in their love of song. 'Ginny', 'Euglena', and 'Rose' perform a benefit concert for their mentor Dale Meadows, a church music director and songwriter recently ousted from his tabernacle because of his sexuality (he's gay!)

The Public Theater previously announced TALKING ABOUT RACE: SCIENCE, POLITICS, ART 1959-1970-2014, a two-night Public Forum event this weekend, today, May 30 and Saturday, May 31 at 7:00 p.m. in The Public's Anspacher Theater. Presented with Anna Deavere Smith Works at The Aspen Institute, The American Museum of Natural History and with in-kind support from the Institute on the Arts and Civic Dialogue at New York University, these two exciting evenings will combine performances of provocative historic conversations about race with an unscripted modern sequel.

The Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts and the Richmond Symphony have announced the creation of a new joint position of Director of Choral Activities at Virginia Commonwealth University and Director of the Richmond Symphony Chorus.

The Richmond Symphony closes their 2013-14 season with The Damnation of Faust, Berlioz's vivid and bold Masterpiece which asks the question, "Are we willing to sell our souls to get what we believe we desire?"

The Public Theater has announced TALKING ABOUT RACE: SCIENCE, POLITICS, ART 1959-1970-2014, a two-night Public Forum event on Friday, May 30 and Saturday, May 31 at 7:00 p.m. in The Public's Anspacher Theater. Presented with Anna Deavere Smith Works at The Aspen Institute, The American Museum of Natural History and with in-kind support from the Institute on the Arts and Civic Dialogue at New York University, these two exciting evenings will combine performances of provocative historic conversations about race with an unscripted modern sequel.

Enjoy a FREE outdoor concert Sunday, May 11th - 7:00pm at the beautiful Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield, VA. Bring a blanket, share a picnic dinner, and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Richmond Symphony, conducted by Steven Smith, and the 392nd Army Band, with Commander/Bandmaster CW5 Charles H. Vollherbst, alongside family and friends!

One-hour long Rush Hour concerts are a great way to experience live music in an informal and relaxed smaller setting. Rush Hour concerts are perfect for those new to the orchestra experience, as well as for the most die-hard listeners.

The Richmond Symphony closes their 2013-14 season with The Damnation of Faust, Berlioz's vivid and bold Masterpiece which asks the question, “Are we willing to sell our souls to get what we believe we desire?”

Richmond, Virginia Join the Richmond Symphony at the Carpenter Theatre at Richmond Center Stage tonight, April 26th at 7pm for a musical journey conducted by Steven Smith, featuring three-time Grammy Award nominated sitar player and composer Anoushka Shankar! This concert is a celebration of the variety of international influences on classical music. Currently, this is Ms. Shankar's only East Coast performance scheduled for spring 2014.

One-hour long Rush Hour concerts are a great way to experience live music in an informal and relaxed smaller setting. Rush Hour concerts are perfect for those new to the orchestra experience, as well as for the most die-hard listeners.