Virginia Symphony Orchestra

Founded in 1920 in Norfolk, Virginia, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra (VSO) is an American regional orchestra known for their advocacy of American music. They started as a small volunteer ensemble but grew into the largest full-time professional symphony in Virginia by 1990. Through pioneering music directors, a bold commitment to adventurous programming, and an impressive recording legacy, which includes critically acclaimed releases on Naxos, Albany Records, and its own label, Hampton Roads Classics, the Virginia Symphony has earned national recognition while remaining deeply rooted in the communities of southeastern Virginia. Its discography of around a dozen albums features world premiere recordings of works by composers such as Michael Daugherty, Behzad Ranjbaran, and Lowell Liebermann. In 2026, they released an album of pieces by Coleridge-Taylor, Dvořák, and Curtis Stewart on Canary Classics.