The New River Valley Friends of the Roanoke Symphony is a volunteer arm of the RSO dedicated to supporting performances of the Roanoke Symphony in our area and to promoting music education programs in New River schools.

The NRV Friends Bus is again running to all Monday RSO Masterworks concerts in Roanoke this season($15 per person) :  October 1, November 12, February 11, April 8, May 6.  This is a great way to enjoy beautiful music, meet friends and "leave the driving to us". The bus makes pick ups at Gables Shopping Center at 5:20 and Warm Hearth at 5:30. If you would like to be a "new rider" for the 2012-2013 season, please contact Janet Johnson, janetmj@ntelos.net. Enjoy the ride to the concert. Season tickets for the concerts may be ordered at 540-343-9127 or order online here.

SMILES
Each year the New River Valley Friends of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra brings high quality music to young people in the New River Valley through their sponsorship of the SMILES concert series. Thousands of area students have attended concerts and recitals by professional musicians over the years thanks to the generous support of individuals who are passionate about sharing their love of classical music with young people. Recent performances have included a percussion ensemble, woodwind and piano quintets, and a Celtic harpist. Special concerts have included Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf featuring orchestra musicians from the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, concerts by the Symphonic Wind Ensemble of Virginia Tech, and a children's opera featuring Radford University faculty and students. The 2010-2011 season included the Kandinsky Trio, Brass 5, and the Paramount Chamber Players. Each performance typically reaches between 300 and 1,000 school-age children. Sponsor a SMILES concert and inspire a child to become a musician or a life-long lover and patron of classical music! If you are interested in sponsoring a SMILES program, contact Elizabeth Crone at ecrone@vt.edu or call 540.951.8282.

Artists-in-Residence
Artist-in-Residence programs at local elementary schools introduce students to the various instrumental families of the orchestra in five-day sessions. Not only are the students taught music theory, they also enjoy hands-on experiences with the various instruments.



Membership
The NRV Friends welcome members annually and encourage participation in their activities. Socials for members are scheduled throughout the year and a biannual newsletter shares news of their work.