Being Robert Schumann: Symphony No

Message from the CEO

Great music fills the sails of our imagination and can transport us to unexpected places. After the isolation of the pandemic, we are eager to set out on a new voyage of shared discovery. Live performance has not felt the same without all of you in the house and, more than ever, we recognize the unique magic that is present when musicians and audience share space on the same journey. Our artistic team has created a season that balances traditional programs with innovative concert formats and unexpected musical combinations. The last two years were challenging and have taught us resilience; they also reminded us of the value of adaptability. If we are to stay vital and relevant, we need to continue creating art that both challenges our musicians and captures our audience’s imagination. We are confident that the programming described in these pages will allow you to experience new things and enable you to hear music you already know with a fresh perspective.

To encourage you to take risks and experience different things, we have simplified our subscription packages, making it easier than ever to try something new. I encourage you to explore the full range of programs and consider charting your own musical voyage across series and venues. You never know what new shores you may discover.

Additionally, with more free concerts and more affordable tickets than ever before, we have made the VS more accessible. It is a core belief of this organization that everyone deserves access to high quality music. The most successful symphony orchestras are those that have found ways to create strong connections with their communities and we are committed to finding more ways to do that.

As we chart our course into the future, I ask you to consider that although the practice of focused listening has become more challenging in our noisy world, its rewards have never been more important. Take a risk, listen, and see where the music takes you.

MATTHEW WHITE