This fall, Virginia’s Richmond Symphony donated $100,000 worth of string instruments to five schools in Richmond’s East End: Bellevue, Chimborazo, Fairfield Court, George Mason, and Woodville elementary schools. The donations stemmed from RVA East End Festival: The Gift of Music, a fundraiser in May that took place during the orchestra’s three-day Big Tent festival of performances and activities. More than 80 community partners joined together to help support music initiatives in Richmond’s East End schools. Prior to the instrument donation, the five schools had a total of seven instruments among them. Funds collected during the festival—as well as through corporate and foundation sources—allowed the orchestra to provide each of the five schools with 25 instruments, enough for a full string orchestra in each school. The orchestra also plans to donate instruments and music-related equipment to Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, Armstrong High School, and Franklin Military Academy as part of the project.
Posted November 16, 2016
