The Richmond Symphony Orchestra is days away from celebrating a big milestone with its upcoming 2026-27 season. This month, it will launch its 70th season, “From Heritage to Horizon: Founding Roots to Bold Artistic Future.”.
“It’s the biggest year we’ve ever had,” said Monica Koechlein, RSO’s executive director for the last 13 years. “I can’t wait to get on the stage.”
The orchestra will premiere 10 pieces never performed, along with six guest soloists and a guest conductor, all under the direction of their music director and conductor, Andrés Lopera.
“The 70th season is a celebration of the RSO’s deep roots in Richmond and its bold leap into the next era of orchestral music,” said Lopera in a press release. “This season pairs the ‘Titans’ of the repertoire with the ‘Innovators’ of today.”
On Saturday, Sept. 19, at 7:30 p.m., the Civic Hall Performing Arts Center will host RSO’s season opener, “The Homecoming.” The concert will feature Richmond High School alumnus and trombonist Matthew Vaughn in his second appearance with RSO. His first came in 1987, when he and his twin brother, Michael, were co-winners of the Young Artist Competition. The duo performed a movement of Ferdinand David’s “Trombone Concerto.” Vaughn returns to perform the piece solo.
“I feel fortunate to have grown up in a city that afforded me such great opportunities to grow as a person and as a musician. These were seminal experiences that led to my long musical career,” said Vaughn in a press release. Vaughn currently serves as the co-principal trombone with the Philadelphia Symphony, which he joined in 1999.
In addition to Vaughn, opening night will feature Lopera’s signature rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and living composer Joan Tower’s “Made in America,” which was previously scheduled for a March 24, 2020, performance, but was canceled due to the pandemic. The concert will close with Beethoven’s “Fifth Symphony.”
The rest of the season promises an array of guest soloists including Kevin Lin, concertmaster for the Indianapolis Symphony; flamenco dancer Griset Damas Roche; vocalist Anabella Petronsi; and guest conductor Darin Sorley for Dec. 13’s annual holiday concert.
The season’s finale, set for May 8, 2027, will feature composer Samuel Torres performing his “Regreso for Congas, Cajón and Orchestra.” The accomplished musician will play six congas and a cajón, a box-shaped Latin percussion instrument.
For all show dates and season and single concert ticket purchases, visit richmondsymphony.org.
Season tickets start at $200 for box seats; $170 for regular; $75 for college students and free for youth ages five to 18. Single tickets begin at $45 for box seats; $35 regular; $20 for college students and free for youth five to 18.
During its Aug. 17 annual meeting, RSO honored two recipients for its board and volunteer awards. RSO Board Member of the Year was Christina Mavity, who was described as a “yes person” for her countless volunteer hours.
The David Rodgers Friend of the RSO Award went to Bethany Theological Seminary and Jeff Carter. A previous symphony board president, Carter helped facilitate RSO’s relationship with Bethany in 2015. Since then, Bethany has been a fervent supporter of RSO and its efforts, committing an annual gift of $10,000 for five years starting with the 2025-26 season.
A version of this article will appear in the September 16 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
