Important Dates

• Blue Ridge Ball, November 1, Inn at Virginia Tech
• Holiday Pops, December 13, Squires
• Spring Concert, March 7, 8 PM, Squires

Bus Service to RSO Concerts in Roanoke

The NRV Friends will be offering bus service to 6 RSO concerts on October 13, November 10, January 19, February 9, April 27 and June 8. The bus will leave Gables Shopping Center at 5:30 PM, Warm Hearth at 5:40 PM and the Exit 118 Park and Ride at 6:50 by prior arrangement. The cost is $15 for the bus and an optional box supper($10) or buffet ($25) can also be ordered. The bus will arrive at the Concert Hall in time for the Illuminations presentation. For more details, contact Janet Johnson at janetmj@ntelos.net.

Background

The New River Valley Friends of the Roanoke Symphony is a volunteer arm of the RSO dedicated to furthering the musical experiences of young people in the valley and bringing live music to the area.

The NRV Friends of the RSO is proud to sponsor classical music education programs! These programs are called SMILES Concerts. They are featured in partnership with the Lyric Theatre of Downtown Blacksburg, Virginia. Children in local schools get the opportunity to experience a classical music concert in an elegant setting. It makes the experience memorable. A SMILES Concert provides exposure to a variety of instrumental and vocal performances.

Featured SMILES concerts in 2007 included Gerald Pope and Brass5 in an exploration of the roots of jazz and The Radford University Opera Workshop, a children's opera by Kathryn Obenshain. In March of 2008, a chamber orchestra will present Peter and the Wolf by Tchaikovsky and Al Wojtera's R.U. Percussion Ensemble.

These great concerts are sponsored by individuals such as you, and local businesses. If you are interested in sponsoring a SMILES program, please contact Elizabeth Crone at ecrone@vt.edu.

Artists-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.

Members: 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.

NRV Friends Officers & Board