In its 2025-26 season, the Richmond Philharmonic will present three classical and two pops programs, focusing on American music as the US heads toward the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Although the orchestra’s classical season is framed by two major symphonies by Europeans – Beethoven’s “Eroica” (No. 3 in E flat major) and Dvořák’s “New World” (No. 9 in E minor), the latter composed in the US – most of the works on its programs are by Americans, including Aaron Copland, Howard Hanson, Samuel Barber, Morton Gould and John Williams.
The philharmonic’s classical concerts will be staged at 4 p.m. Sundays in St. Christopher’s School’s Ryan Recital Hall. Wilson and Mike Goldberg of VPM Music will preview each program at 3 p.m.
Holiday pops concerts will be presented at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture and a location to be announced later. A summer pops concert is planned for the Virginia War Memorial.
Admission is free for all concerts.
The community orchestra, founded in 1972 and conducted since 2012 by Peter Wilson, will hold auditions for musicians playing all instruments from 1-5 p.m. Sept. 7 at Grace Baptist Church, 4200 Dover Road.
For more information on auditions and the season’s concerts, call (804) 556-1039 or visit http://richmondphilharmonic.org
The orchestra’s 2025-26 programs:
Nov. 2 (4 p.m.)
Ryan Recital Hall, St. Christopher’s School, 6010 Fergusson Road
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E flat major (“Eroica”)
Samuel Barber: “Commando March”
John Williams: “Born on the Fourth of July”
Matt Stevens, trumpet
Williams: “Saving Private Ryan” – “Hymn to the Fallen”
Tchaikovsky: “1812 Overture”
Dec. 7 (7 p.m.)
Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Arthur Ashe Boulevard at Kensington Avenue
Dec. 8 (7 p.m.)
location TBA
Holiday Pops
program TBA
March 8 (4 p.m.)
Ryan Recital Hall, St. Christopher’s School, 6010 Fergusson Road
Williams: “Liberty Fanfare”
William Schuman: “New England Triptych”
Morton Gould: “American Salute”
Howard Hanson: Symphony No. 2 (“Romantic”)
May 3 (4 p.m.)
Ryan Recital Hall, St. Christopher’s School, 6010 Fergusson Road
Copland: “Fanfare for the Common Man”
Copland: “Appalachian Spring” Suite
Ryan Nowlin: “Let Freedom Ring”
Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 in E minor (“From the New World”)
June 21 (4 p.m.)
Virginia War Memorial, 621 S. Belvidere St.
Summer Pops
program TBA
Letter V 