VCO Return to Annandale’s Ernst Center for 'Grand Finale' Concert

Sunday marks the final concert of the Virginia Chamber Orchestra’s 40th season at the Ernst Community Cultural Center in Annandale. VCO Music Director Emil de Cou will conduct the “Grand Finale” performance with local violinist Elisabeth Adkins as guest soloist in Beethoven’s Concerto for Violin in D major.

“I am so excited to be performing this piece with Emil de Cou and the VCO this weekend,” Adkins said. “The Beethoven Violin Concerto is at the pinnacle of the violin repertoire, a truly remarkable accomplishment of the human spirit. As familiar as the concerto may be, there is nothing to compare with the emotional impact of experiencing it in the concert hall, live, seeing and hearing the stunning architecture of the work created right in front of you - as if for the first time!”

Adkins, who was named Associate Concertmaster of the National Symphony Orchestra in 1983, has been featured many times with the orchestra as a concerto soloist. VCO violinist Bobbie Gholz described Adkins as a superior musician. “We frequently draw on local talent for our soloists,” Gholz said. “We like to present these musicians in a spotlight that they don’t necessarily get elsewhere.”

Gholz joined the VCO in 1974. She would hop onto a bus with other orchestra members to tour areas of Northern Virginia with little access to live concerts. “The idea was to bring live classical music to underserved audiences,” she said. “Now our mission is to perform fine music with the highest artistic integrity for the broadest possible audience, within the limits of fiscal responsibility.”

Gholz said that funding is tight but the VCO members have managed to keep the orchestra going. “[This concert] is the culmination of our 40th anniversary season,” she said. “In this economic climate, to be able to survive 40 seasons is great!”

She also emphasized the importance of educational outreach to the orchestra. “We're still trying to perform for underserved audiences and educate them,” she said. “In this case: children. Our concerts are always free for students. We encourage families to bring their kids. Our concerts are small enough that they can feel that they are close to what’s going on [onstage]. That is something that does set us apart.”

VCO Development Chair Ann Sica said that she and other orchestra members are carrying out the mission to reach the broadest possible audience. “The VCO benefits many thousands of students nationwide with satellite-delivered educational television programs in partnership with the Fairfax Network and free streaming videos on the VCO website,” Sica said.

This year, two of these programs were highlighted for the first time by the National Association for Music Education and the Virginia Elementary Music Teachers Association on their respective websites, where they have also posted related lesson plans created by educators.

The “Grand Finale” Concert will also include Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A and a celebratory surprise to commemorate the occasion, according to Gholz.

A complimentary reception will follow the performance. Go to the Virginia Chamber Orchestra's website for more information about the concert.

Sunday, May 1, 4pm; $10-$18; Free for students
Ernst Community Cultural Center at Northern Virginia Community College, 8333 Little River Tnpk.; 703-758-0179