Category Archive: Community Event

  1. Alexandria Symphony Orchestra Performs for Alexandria Birthday Celebration

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    Alexandria, VA—Alexandria Symphony Orchestra will present a free concert as part of the 274th Alexandria Birthday Celebration on Saturday, July 8, 2023. The celebration, sponsored by the city and coordinated by the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, culminates with fireworks underscored by additional music from the ASO.

    The concert will include the Armed Forces Medley, film scores, patriotic favorites and highlights from West Side Story and Guys and Dolls. The grand finale will feature a spectacular fireworks display with Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, accompanied by live cannons from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). The program will be led by guest conductor John Devlin, a thought leader in the field of classical music and Music Director of the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra.

    “I’m honored to conduct such a fine symphony as the ASO,” says Maestro Devlin. “The Birthday Celebration has been a tradition for decades, cherished by the community. I’m excited to be a part of this wonderful event.”

    As ASO partners in the celebration, the ASO thanks its concert sponsors: McEnearney Associates Realtors, Caudron Megary Blackburn Wealth Management, Chadwicks, and the City of Alexandria.

    “This well-loved annual event brings our city together,” says ASO Executive Director George Hanson. “We’re honored to serve the community once again, thanks to the support of the City of Alexandria and our business partnerships.”

    The Alexandria Birthday Celebration is free and open to the public in Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison Street, Alexandria. The park opens at 5:00 p.m. with food vendors; live opening entertainment begins at 6:00 p.m. The City’s presentation with Mayor Wilson and cupcakes starts at 7:00 p.m. The ASO’s concert begins at 8:30 p.m. with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

  2. SOLA Music Scholarship Competition Returns

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    Classical music students will compete for college scholarships sponsored by the Symphony Orchestra League of Alexandria (SOLA) on Sunday morning, March 20 at 10 am. 

    “The judged performances will be free and open to the public at the Fine Arts Center on the campus of Northern Virginia Community College,” says Sharon Walker, the chair of the Mary Graham Lasley scholarship.

    The competition will begin at 10 am and feature performances in piano and cello by students from three colleges. SOLA has sponsored the MGL contest for more than 40 years, except for 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid pandemic.

    Graduate and undergraduate students under the age of 25 will perform 15-minute solos or concertos for cash prizes of $2,500, $2,000, and $1,500 from a trust fund established in the 1970’s in memory of Mary Graham Lasley, an active supporter of the Alexandria Symphony.

    Prizes will be presented in a short ceremony following the completion of the judging.

    The Northern Virginia Community College Fine Arts Center is located at 3301 Netherton Dr., Alexandria, VA 22311.  Access by turning off Seminary Road on Dawes Avenue.

    “The MGL competition for young musicians proves that classical music is alive and well for the future,” says Walker.

    SOLA is encouraging ASO patrons, SOLA members, parents, and music teachers to attend the competition with their students.

  3. Alexandria Symphony Orchestra Performs for Alexandria Birthday Celebration

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    Alexandria, VA—Alexandria Symphony Orchestra (ASO) will present a free concert as part of the 272nd Alexandria Birthday Celebration on Saturday, July 10, 2021, at 9:00 p.m. The celebration, sponsored by the city and coordinated by the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, culminates with fireworks at 9:30 p.m., underscored by additional music from the orchestra.

    The concert will include America the Beautiful, Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, and the Armed Forces Medley followed by patriotic and popular classical favorites.  The grand finale will feature a spectacular fireworks display, accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture (without cannons this year) and other patriotic tunes.

    “The ASO is thrilled to be joining forces with the City of Alexandria to send some fireworks flying in celebration of Alexandria’s Birthday,” says Music Director James Ross. “With musical works honoring our city’s rich history and diversity, it will be a sonic bash of the kind that will lift spirits—fanfares, blues, patriotic fare, Sousa marches and the best part of the 1812 Overture. What a joy to make big music again for our citizens!”

    As ASO partners in the celebration, the symphony thanks its concert sponsors: KSA Integration; Networking & Engineering Technologies; United Bank; Caudron Megary Blackburn; John D. Kling II, DDS; Sunrise of Old Town; Chadwicks; Jack Taylor’s Alexandria Toyota and Burke & Herbert Bank.

    “The Alexandria Birthday Celebration concert is Alexandria’s ‘coming-out’ party, and we are thrilled to be part of it,” said ASO Executive Director George Hanson. “Our partnerships with the city and with our corporate sponsors enable the ASO to bring great music to our community.”

    The Alexandria Birthday Celebration is free and open to the public in Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison Street, Alexandria. Announcements begin at 8:45 p.m.; the ASO’s concert begins at 9:00 p.m. Masks are not required. Attendees are asked to spread out throughout the park.

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  4. ASO Performs at the 268th Alexandria Birthday Celebration

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    Alexandria, VA—Alexandria Symphony Orchestra will present a free concert as part of the 268th Alexandria Birthday Celebration on Saturday, July 8, 2017 beginning at 8:30 PM.  The celebration, sponsored by the city and coordinated by the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, begins at 5:00 PM and culminates with fireworks at 9:30 PM, underscored by additional music from the orchestra.

    The ASO welcomes renowned guest conductor Jon Kalbfleisch for his first performance directing the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra.  Mr. Kalbfleisch is music director of the Lawton Philharmonic in his native Oklahoma and Signature Theatre in nearby Arlington.  The ASO is currently in its final phase of a search for a new Music Director, featuring the final four candidates in the upcoming 2017-2018 season.

    The concert will include the National Anthem with the presenting of the colors by the Continental Color Guard, followed by patriotic and popular classical favorites.  The grand finale will feature a spectacular fireworks display, accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture with live cannon fire by the U.S. Army’s Third Infantry “Old Guard” Presidential Salute Battery.

    As ASO partners in the celebration, the symphony thanks its sponsors: Wells Fargo; the Symphony Orchestra League of Alexandria (SOLA); John Kling, DDS; Ellis Duncan of Coldwell Banker Global Luxury; John Marshall Bank and other generous individuals.

    The Alexandria Birthday Celebration is free and open to the public in Oronoco Bay Park, 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM on Saturday, July 8, 2017.

  5. Support the Symphony at Top Golf on September 22

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    Join us to practice your swings and support the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra!  Mingle and greet your teammates for the first 30 minutes in the private signature room. Enjoy a buffet of heavy appetizers and bottomless non-alcoholic drinks.  After two hours on the driving range, we’ll award prizes for the highest scores with trophies and tickets to the ASO’s upcoming 2015-2016 Season: Symphony & Cinema.  All equipment and clubs are provided.  Alcoholic beverages can be purchased at the bar.

    Advanced Individual Ticket: $80* per person
    Advanced Team Ticket: $350* for team of five individuals (includes private bay)
    Note: Prices go up the week of the event – purchase now to save!

    Additionally, there is a day-of option to add mini-golf (36 holes) for $5 kids/$7 adults, pending that evening’s weather.

    For more information and to purchase tickets, call the ASO office at 703-548-0885.

    *A portion of each ticket is tax-deductible.

  6. Celebrate Alexandria’s Birthday with the ASO

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    The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra will present its annual pops concert on Saturday, July 13th as part of the City of Alexandria’s 264th Birthday Celebration. Free and open to the public, the concert by the orchestra will take place at 8:30 p.m. At 9:30 p.m., the orchestra will provide the soundtrack to Alexandria’s spectacular fireworks display with Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.

    This event is coordinated by the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities. For more details and information on parking, please call the Special Events Hotline at (703) 746-5592 or visit www.alexandriava.gov/Recreation.

  7. ASO’s 2012 Children’s Holiday Concert

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    Led by Music Director Kim Allen Kluge along with members of the ASO, the 2012 Children’s Holiday Concert will feature big band arrangements along with a collection of traditional holiday sing-a-longs.

    Sponsorships and Tickets go on sale Thursday, November 1. For more information or to purchase a sponsorship or tickets, please call 703-548-0885.

     

    St. Paul’s Church in Old Town Alexandria


    Members of the ASO performing at the 2010 Children’s Holiday Concert