While a new year is a fresh start on the calendar for many, the Charlottesville Symphony is in the middle of its 2020-21 season. It saddens us to confirm that state, local and University of Virginia Covid-19 guidelines will prevent the orchestra from performing its normal schedule of Masterworks concerts in February, March and April. Our New Year’s resolution is to launch an exciting season of the great music you love next fall! In the meantime, we want to pause in our 2021-22 planning and say “thank you.”  

“Thank You!” to everyone who watched Music Director Benjamin Rous in virtual collaborative programs with the Virginia Film Festival and the Charlottesville Ballet; to all the Symphony patrons who donated the value of tickets for cancelled concerts back to us; to the many loyal as well as first-time donors who made vital contributions to our Annual Fund this fall; to everyone who stays connected to the Charlottesville Symphony by reading this e-newsletter or visiting www.cvillesymphony.org; to our generous foundation funders; to the Virginia Discovery Museum for expanding our partnership virtually; and to schools throughout Central Virginia who are welcoming our Principal musicians into their classrooms remotely. Bravo!

Speaking of virtual programs, if the hustle and bustle of the holidays prevented you from viewing our Virtual Family Holiday Concert, it’s not too late!

This digital presentation includes greatest hits from archived concert recordings: "It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year", "Winter Wonderland", and Leroy Anderson’s "Sleigh Ride"; the University Singers Virtual Choir singing "Carol of the Bells" which opens each year’s concerts; solo performances by Charlottesville Symphony Principal musicians and Music Director Benjamin Rous; "The Twelve Days of Christmas" with a new audience participation twist this year – and more!

Please use the link below to access the free program which will be available for viewing through this coming Sunday, January 10th. You may view it as many times as you wish. The Charlottesville Symphony and the University Singers are grateful to the UVA Office of the Provost and the Vice Provost for the Arts, and UVA McIntire Department of Music for their support of this project. 

With skinny legs, knobby knees and a super long neck, how will Gerald the Giraffe be a hit at the Jungle Dance? Join us Friday, January 8th at 10:30am to meet Charlottesville Symphony Principal Viola Ayn Balija, and learn all about string instruments as she brings Giles Andreae's book Giraffes Can't Dance to life through sound during a virtual musical story time.

1695 – Italian composer and exceptionally skilled oboist Giuseppe Sammartini was born. He was the brother of Giovanni Battista Sammartini (1700-1775), another prolific composer who is widely regarded as “the father of the symphony.” There are no known images of Giuseppe; Giovanni is depicted here.

1957 – Elvis Presley made his third and final appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show in New York City, where he performed seven songs in three segments, including “Hound Dog,” “Don’t Be Cruel” and “Heartbreak Hotel.” 

2009 – The iTunes Music Store reached six billion songs sold. This logo was in use from 2006 until a new one was unveiled in 2010.