The Virginia Symphony Society’s 2018 annual gala benefit for the Virginia Symphony Orchestra honored Benjamin Rous, VSO Resident Conductor since 2010. He has performed on every series presented by the orchestra including Classics, Regional Classics, Pops, and the multimedia VSO@Roper series. Mr. Rous holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Michigan. He was recently named Music Director of the Charlottesville Symphony and has joined the University of Virginia music faculty. The gala, which was held at Two Rivers Country Club, featured performances by: Mr. Rous and the New Commonwealth Quartet; the VSO Woodwind Quintet; and VSO violinist Amanda Gates. The Society presented an engraved desk clock to Mr. Rous as a farewell gift.
The money raised at the gala helps to fund VSO outreach activities such as the School/Orchestra Artistic Residency (SOAR) which brings VSO musicians to Williamsburg to coach public school music students. This year, seven string instrument students from Warhill High School volunteered to organize a program and provide entertainment for guests at the gala’s pre-dinner reception.
Submitted by Dianne Kienlen
