Bridging a Great Community with Great Music
Vision Statement
We envision a community where live music connects people from all walks of life to inspire a more vibrant and creative region.
Mission Statement
Believing that music has the power to inspire, the Fredericksburg Symphony will fulfill this mission by enriching the community with live music. The Symphony brings performances, educational programs, and community engagement initiatives for audiences to experience music in a way that is relevant and meaningful to their own lives. Through music, the Fredericksburg Symphony aspires to create shared experiences and connections that improve the quality of life in Fredericksburg and throughout the region.
Founded by Fredericksburg native Dr. Kevin Bartram in the Fall of 2021, the 75-piece FSO is comprised of the most talented string, wind, and percussionists in the region.
Season Lineup
Starting in 2024-25, the FSO will move from four concerts to five, including the October Halloween Masterworks, Holiday Pops, February Valentine’s concert, our new March young people’s concert called “Lolli-pops!”, and the May Guest Artists Series season finale.
FSO Guest Artist Series
The FSO initiated its Guest Artist Series in 2022, aimed at bringing world-class artists to Fredericksburg. Guest artists have included Abigail Rockwell (granddaughter of Norman Rockwell, composer Brian Balmages (twice), the Virginia Children’s Chorus, and just recently, three Broadway legends. In 2024-25, the FSO will host the Vocal Ensemble of Fairfax, pianist Thomas Pandolfi, and three more Broadway legends.
FSO Education Initiative
Concerts are family-friendly, offering educational opportunities for students, parents, and young children through its “Education Initiative”. The FSO’s Education Initiative:
- Offers complimentary tickets to students for each concert
- Invites (through teacher recommendation and audition) student Interns to rehearse and perform with the symphony
- Does significant outreach to the local schools whereby FSO musicians work with children for free
- Hosts children to sit on stage as musicians perform in concert
- Offers opportunities to meet the musicians in informal settings
The Musicians
FSO musicians are top performing musicians. Many perform with other orchestras, and others are professional music teachers. Entrance into the FSO is competitive, and successful candidates are offered a performance contract.
By offering high-quality, engaging performances, the FSO has gained a reputation as a standard bearer amongst its peer orchestras. This quality is embodied in its dedicated staff, its superb board of directors, and its vibrant volunteer corps.
FSO’s Education Initiative
The FSO is committed to advancing music education in our schools and have developed a partnership with local school systems in Spotsylvania, Stafford, Prince William, Fauquier, and the city of Fredericksburg.
Each year, the FSO’s Education Initiative:
- Provides hundreds of FREE concert tickets to middle and high school students and teachers each year
- Hosts school lectures and clinics by master clinicians
- Opens rehearsals to students
- Provides a unique Student Intern Program whereby select student musicians rehearse and perform with the symphony
- Has a new children’s concert called “Lolli-Pops!” each March, with free admission for children
- Offers pre-concert performances in the lobby to middle and high school orchestras in the region
In 2023-24, the FSO:
- Performed a world premiere with a local high school orchestra conducted by the composer, Brian Balmages
- Shared the stage with the Virginia Children’s Chorus
- Provided blocks of free tickets to students and parents
- Had a local high school drumline perform on Holiday Pops
- Offered the opportunity for a child to guest conduct the Symphony’s finale at Holiday Pops
“I want to commend you for organizing the opportunity for our students. It was obvious that you had prepared them for the visit! As I looked around the auditorium, the students were captivated by Ms. Rockwell and the projection of her grandfather’s artwork gave them something to reference. It was a perfect learning experience for our students.”
Thank you,
Sandra P. Gillenwater, M Ed
Fredericksburg City Public Schools
Communication and Community Outreach
“I love this! This is why we do what we do.”
Brian Balmages, Composer
