Executive Director's Message

It is a pleasure to welcome each of you to an evening and season of excellence. Conductor Bordo has once again programmed a masterful season for your enjoyment. It is inspiring to watch him build cohesion with the orchestra players and bring magic to the stage at every concert. Time and again, I’m astounded by the brilliance we witness at each performance, and by the talent and dedication of the musicians of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra.

It’s a testament to the value this community places on the arts that a town the size of Richmond can continue to support a fully professional orchestra. Indeed, the RSO is an indispensable and integral part of the vibrancy of this community and embraces its role as an effective driver of economic development, which makes this region an attractive place to live and work for this and future generations. Collectively, the Board and staff work to fulfill the RSO’s mission to shape the cultural life of our region by delivering exceptional and inclusive music experiences that enrich, entertain and educate. Conductor Bordo, the Board of Directors and I are humbled and honored by the appreciation you show the RSO. Thank you for the part you play in making the Richmond Symphony Orchestra truly great.

Realizing that I’ve served as the Executive Director of the RSO for nearly five years makes me pause and reflect on our success. The RSO Board of Directors has entrusted me with great responsibility and offered unwavering support. They have been strong advocates and faithful stewards of the organization, and have been intentional about building momentum and increasing visibility. In just five short years, this unified focus has resulted in a number of significant outcomes:

• The RSO has gained nearly $60,000 in season and signature event sponsorships. Together this is an income increase of 12% of our total revenues.
• Annual community outreach events and appearances have increased from just a few to nearly twenty. Concert attendance has increased by 33% and we are seeing more children in the audience.
• Attendance at the Signature Event has tripled and auction bids have nearly quadrupled resulting in a very successful fundraising event!

I wish to thank Conductor Bordo for his support and ability to inspire me to do my best work. I also want to acknowledge the hard-working staff of the RSO: Mary, Candace and Julie.  As we have increased our reach in the community, I’ve expected more and more from them, and they’ve delivered. It is a joy to work alongside such amazing people.

And now, please sit back and enjoy the experience!

Warmest regards,
Monica Koechlein

President's Message

Welcome to the Richmond Symphony Orchestra’s 62nd season.

This season, Maestro Guy Victor Bordo will lead the Richmond Symphony Orchestra in exploring music composed by women. As part of this exploration, the Richmond Symphony Orchestra has commissioned Alyssa Morris to compose a new work to be performed at our February concert. Ms. Morris formerly played oboe with the Richmond Symphony and is currently Assistant Professor of Oboe and Music Theory at Kansas State University. She has gained recognition as a composer of music that is “elegant” and “imaginative.” The Board is excited that the RSO will have the opportunity to give the premier performance of this new composition in Civic Hall on February 2, 2019, and are pleased that Ms. Morris will be able to join us for that occasion. The 62nd season will also include compositions by women in four of our other concerts.

The Richmond Symphony Orchestra has been able to achieve excellence and increase its outreach into the community with various programs because of the tremendous support of you, the ticket holders, and our generous donors and sponsors. On behalf of the Board, I want to express my gratitude to you for your enthusiastic attendance.

The Board is also extremely grateful for our donors and sponsors. Please take a moment to review the listing of their names in the program and, when the opportunity presents itself, thank them for their support of the Symphony. I would be remiss if I did not thank our Board of Directors, our efficient staff headed by Monica Koechlein, and our outstanding musical director, Maestro Guy Victor Bordo; thanks to all of you for working together to make beautiful music.

Finally, you will want to mark the date of Saturday, April 29, 2019 on your calendar. That is the date of our next signature event, and the theme will be “Back to the 80’s.” The event promises to be bigger and better than all previous events so watch for further announcements during the season.

Enjoy our 2018 - 2019 season!

George M. Sowers