RSO offering 3 concerts, new youth programs

Richmond Symphony Orchestra will play a piece this weekend that musicians chose as their highlight of this season, and the ensemble is offering some new and returning education programs.

Concerts

RSO’s concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, in Civic Hall Performing Arts Center includes Igor Stravinsky’s “Pulcinella.”

When RSO musicians were surveyed before the season began, several indicated “Pulcinella” was the highlight of the 2024-2025 selections. Section leader soloists include violin, viola, oboe, cello, bassoon, double bass and trombone. The ballet music is based on a character from Italian improvised theater.

“Stravinsky’s ‘Pulcinella’ is a piece that bass players always want to perform, but don’t often get a chance to. I’m very excited to finally get the chance,” said Tony Neumyer, principal double bass. 

Neumyer said the combination of music makes for an exciting concert.

Along with “Pulcinella,” another work RSO will tackle for the first time is “Elegia Andina” written in 2000 by Gabriela Lena Frank in tribute to her brother.

The performance will conclude with Mozart’s Symphony No. 41, “Jupiter.”

“It’s always a sign that spring is on the way as we invite the musicians back to Richmond after a few months away,” said Monica Koechlein, RSO executive director. “I love to attend the first rehearsal and watch them reconnect following the holiday.” 

RSO concludes its season with two evening performances. On March 29, instrumentalists will be joined by the RSO Chorus, which includes community, Indiana University East and Earlham College singers, to perform Faure’s “Requiem.” The season ends May 9 with Gliere’s “Harp Concerto” and Berlioz’s “Symphonie Fantastique.”

RSO’s themed signature event, “A Novel Night,” is set for April 26. Tickets will go on sale soon.

Music education

The orchestra received two sizable grants from the Ronald L. McDaniel Foundation and 3Rivers Credit Union Foundation, which it’s using to bring back a children’s concert and start two new youth programs.

In May, all Wayne County third and fourth graders will be invited to Civic Hall for a one-hour full orchestra performance emphasizing the families and instruments of the symphony.

One of the RSO’s new programs, “Musicians in Schools,” encourages Wayne County’s preschool through high school teachers to request a musician to visit their classroom for a short performance, demonstration and Q&A.

In addition, 14 RSO Scholars have been chosen to start private lessons. The Richmond High School students receive a weekly 30-minute private lesson with a professor from Earlham or IU East.

The 14 students and their instruments include: Adeline Penrod and Lya Santiago-Lopez, cello; Aiden Andresen, bass trombone; Annabelle Phillips and Luz Soto Serrano, violin; Avian Wicks, bass guitar and piano; Branson Thomas and Cooper Smith, double bass; Evan Sanders, marimba; Jayden Jimenez-Cruz; tenor saxophone; Kyleigh Atwell, flute/piccolo; Loren Carter; euphonium; Mariela Hall, clarinet; and Ramiro Felty, viola.

In addition, RSO Scholars can observe rehearsals and take part in other behind-the-scenes experiences and performance opportunities and/or volunteer at RSO concerts and events.