Chorus Campaign Spring 2025

It has been a truly extraordinary year working with Richmond Symphony Chorus Director Richard W. Robbins. Today, we celebrate not just his anniversary, but the music-making, community-building, and joy that his work with the Chorus brings to the entire community. Support from donors like you help keep the Chorus singing, helps hire exceptional artists, and ensure the education of the next generation of world-renowned musicians.
Following his appointment in the spring of 2024, Richard has led the Richmond Symphony Chorus into its 53rd season with a fresh and innovative perspective. Jumping in with a symphonic bang, Richard's first time on the Carpenter Theatre stage was Verdi’s Requiem conducted by our Music Director, Valentina Peleggi in June of 2024. This season, audiences experienced the power of the Richmond Symphony Chorus under Richard's direction, from music of video games in Final Fantasy VII, the annual Holiday favorites, Let It Snow! and Handel’s Messiah, and the operatic love triangle, Puccini’s Tosca. In May, the Richmond Symphony Chorus returned to the Carpenter Theatre stage for Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances in Symphonie Fantastique! conducted by Grammy Award winning guest conductor, Michael Repper.

​As we approach Richard's one-year anniversary as Director of the Richmond Symphony Chorus, and pay homage to the rich history of the chorus itself, we are looking to you to participate in honor of Richard in this season’s Richmond Symphony Chorus Campaign. By making your gift to the Chorus Campaign by June 30, you directly support our talented musicians, purchasing necessary equipment, and providing educational programs to inspire the next generation of musicians - perhaps training the next Richard Robbins. Thank you!

The Symphony kindly requests that all pledges to this year's Campaign​are paid in full by June 30, 2025.
As of June 17, 2025:
47.9% participation
$20,074.53 raised
Utilize our volunteer dropdown or notes section to make sure your contribution will go towards ​the Chorus Campaign!

Thank you to all who have participated!

Andrea & Ben Almoite
Jan Altman
​American Online Giving Foundation, Inc.
Richard Axtell
Barb Baker
Hudnall Baldwin
​Kevin & Beth Barger
Pablo Bedoya
Lilli & Matthew Benko
Gabrielle Francesca Bergeret
The Blackbaud Giving Fund
​Kerry & Joel Blum
Elaina Brennan
Ellen Carleton
Ann & David Carter
​Linda & Blake Castle
​Charlene Christie
Dennis Clark
​Jarrett Cohen
​David & Jessica Cooley
Don & Karen Creach
Dane De Silva
​Drew Dolson & Liz Manning
​Aimee Ellington
​Carl & Jane Eng
Martin G. & Hope Armstrong Erb
Melanie Ficke
​Lisa Fusco
​Sarah George
​Janice Guzman
Denise Harding
Tom Heaton
Cindy Hickman
​Mary Holman
​Elaine Johnson
​Daniel Kobb
​Cameron Koch
​Nina Lankin
Elisabeth Larson
Cynthia Lee
Alyx Lewis
John & Deborah Luther
​David & Katherine Lynch
Leslie Maloney
​Eileen Mannix
​Holly Maples
Bill & Beverley Marshall
Julia Martin
​Judy & James Mawyer
​Martin McFadden
​Melisse Menchel
​Jonathan Miller
Eve Minter
Lucy & Josh Mitzner
Terry & Robert Moffett
​Doug & Janet Moyers
Kyndal Owens
​Kenna & John Payne
​Jim & Felicia Rakes
Steve & Lynne Read
Pat Reddington
​Jane Riddle
​Richard Robbins
​Dr. Bill Roberts & David Hoover
Craig & Patty Ross
Meaghan Rymer
Samantha Sawyer
Johanna Scogin
​Amanda Simon
Matthew Smith
​Jayne Sneed
Mary Lou & Charles Sommardahl
​Richard Szucs
Adam Tecken
​Jon Teates
​Jane & Roy Terry
Aaron Todd
​Paul & Vada Tuttle
​Dave & Ann Voss
​Mary Ellen & Robert Wadsworth
​Darlene Walker Temple
Colby & Emily Walls
Michele Wittig
​Stephen Wright

​​Frequently Asked Questions

How can I make a gift to the Chorus Campaign?
  • Gifts can be made to the Richmond Symphony via credit or debit card, cash or check, through gifts of stock, or by initiating a gift from your donor-advised fund or as a qualified charitable distribution from your IRA. Additionally, employer matching gifts can be utilized as many companies will match a donation made, or even your volunteer hours with the Chorus!
What if I've already made a gift to the Symphony this year? Can that be counted towards the Campaign and how do I make sure it is? 
  • If you've made a gift, you can call ((804) 788-4717 ext. 4) or email Kiaya Smith ([email protected]) to ensure that it is already designated to the Campaign, or ask that it be updated to reflect your preference. 
What does my gift directly support?
  • All gifts to the Chorus Campaign immediately impact the annual fund for the Richmond Symphony, which supports all artistic, educational and community programming for the Symphony; including performances and resources necessary to bolster Chorus activities that are all a vital part of our annual operating budget.
Does someone have to be in the Chorus or be a former Chorus member to make a gift to the campaign? 
  • No! Anyone can make a gift to support the campaign, as long as they note "Chorus Campaign" when they make their gift over the phone, online, or via mail.