ASO’s Sympatico Program Receives Dominion Energy’s ArtStars Award

Posted Feb 27, 2020 | ASO News, Press Releases, 

Alexandria, VA—The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra (ASO) was recently honored as one of five 2020 Dominion Energy ArtStars for inspiring people of all ages in creative endeavors for its music education program, Sympatico. Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation chose organizations with annual operating budgets under $1 million, selecting one from each of five regions of Virginia to receive a $10,000 grant to support their winning arts or cultural education program.

Alexandria Symphony’s Sympatico program serves 180 students in two Alexandria City Public Schools: John Adams Elementary and Patrick Henry K-8. Students choose from a variety of ensembles including Chorus, bucket band, strings, and mixed instrument ensembles. The 2019-2020 school year marks the sixth full year for the program, basing its model on the El Sistema method of music instruction with social impact, first introduced in Venezuela over 40 years ago. Besides musicianship, students acquire leadership skills, confidence, ownership of a project and creative composition. Instruction is offered at no cost to the schools or participating students, providing a value of more than $2 million if they were to seek comparable private music instruction.

Other winners included the Arts Depot (Abington, VA), Lime Kiln Theater (Lexington, VA), Sandler Center for the Performing Arts (Virginia Beach, VA), and Studio Two Three (Richmond, VA).

“This year’s winners prove everyday what a powerful impact art can have on a community’s culture and history,” said Hunter A. Applewhite, president of the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation. “Virginia is very fortunate to have these talented organizations committed to the vibrancy of local communities across the Commonwealth.”

Sympatico is fully underwritten by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra. Program support relies on generous contributions from individuals and foundations as well as grants from the Virginia Commission for the Arts, Alexandria Commission for the Arts and National Endowment for the Arts.