Alexandria Symphony Orchestra

As the lights dim and the audience hushes in anticipation, the gentle hum of the first notes played by the widely renowned Alexandria Symphony Orchestra (ASO) begins to fill the room. Smooth classical and contemporary sounds wrap the audience in an emotion-filled embrace, turning first-time attendees of their concerts into passionate fans and inspiring music lovers across all ages.

ASO has moved listeners for generations as the largest performing arts nonprofit in The City of Alexandria. Since its founding in 1943, ASO has enchanted audiences across Northern Virginia with countless concerts and sweeping orchestral masterpieces. They are starting their 83rd performance season, which currently runs from September through June. Its connection to Alexandria is especially meaningful, as it is the city’s sole professional orchestra and features nationally renowned talent.

By bringing together such talented performers, ASO provides an opportunity for visitors and locals to immerse themselves in an artistic experience. “We are focusing on the transcendental nature of music, particularly classical music, which can evoke so many feelings, from calm to energized depending on what the piece of work is,” said Laurie MacNamara, President of the Board of Trustees for the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and longtime resident of Alexandria for over 40 years, shares.

Each July, ASO takes center stage as the resident orchestra for Alexandria’s Birthday Celebration along the waterfront, leading audiences through a evening of patriotic classics and guest performances before delivering a stirring rendition of the beloved 1812 Overture amid a fireworks finale over the Potomac River. But throughout the year, their music fills two remarkable venues: The Rachel M. Schlesinger Center and the George Washington Masonic Memorial. Entering these architectural gems feels like stepping into a sanctuary where music and light intertwine. Settle into your seat at an ASO concert and let waves of harmonious symphonic masterpieces wash over you, from Beethoven’s dynamic symphonies to Brahms’ soaring works and evocative pieces like “Pictures at an Exhibition.”

These melodies are brought to life by musicians whose artistry is honed through membership in the American Federation of Musicians and service in US military bands. Listen closely, and you’ll catch the silky sweep of strings, the gentle whispers of flutes and oboes, the bold echoes of brass, and the intricate rhythms of percussion.

Jim Ross, ASO’s Music Director Laureate, helps bring these melodies to life with fresh interpretations of classic and contemporary works while championing underrepresented composers. Laurie of ASO explains, “We (ASO) were the first to actually program her work and get it exposure…We try to bring forward others like Florence Price, William Grant Still, and other composers of color from that 20th century period that are not as well-known as they should be.”

ASO’s passion for music extends to nurturing the next generation. Their program, ASO Sympatico, created in partnership with two Alexandria City Public Schools, they open doors for socioeconomically disadvantaged students to experience music at little to no cost. Additionally, the symphony invites listeners to close their eyes and dream up their own stories as the orchestra plays. Whether you picture yourself battling dragons atop a hill or wandering through a tranquil forest, ASO inspires everyone to find moments of peace through soothing music.

Laurie shares the importance of sharing the beauty in music, “There’s so much ugliness in the world that to be able to offer something that is truly beautiful is a gift to be able to do. And I know our musicians feel that way, our staff feels that way, and our board feels that way, and certainly our music directors have felt that way.” In a world often filled with chaos, the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra invites everyone to step into a realm where music offers a gentle escape, bringing Alexandria moments of pure, transcendental beauty.