Our History Is Five Decades Long

The Richmond Philharmonic was founded in 1972 by Dr. Milton Cherry, Professor of Music at Virginia Commonwealth University, and violinist Mrs. Cornelia Langston Henderson, one of his former students. The orchestra's first public appearance was a collaboration with the Richmond Choral Society and the Concert Ballet of Virginia in a performance of Haydn's "Creation." The first orchestra-only concert was given on May 12, 1974 in the auditorium of the Richmond Public Library.

  • Since 1992, the Richmond Philharmonic has conducted national searches for its music director, who sets the artistic vision for the orchestra.


    Milton Cherry (1972 to 1975)
    Alan Stein (1975 to 1979)
    Raymond Montoni (1979 to 1985)
    Steven Errante (1985 to 1986)
    Allan Blank (1987 to 1989)
    Joel Lazar (1990 to 1992)
    Rui Zhang (1992 to 1995)
    Victoria Gau (1996 to 2001)
    Alexander Kordzaia (2001 to 2003)
    Erin Freeman (2004 to 2007)
    Robert Mirakian (2007 to 2012)
    Peter Wilson (2012 to present)

  • We are proud to have commissioned or premiered several compositions:

    Symphony No. 2 (1983)
    Willis Barnett, composer
    Thomas Di Sarlo, violin soloist

    Overture in Honor of L. Douglas Wilder (1990)
    Dr. Frederick D. Geissler, composer

    Concerto for Keyed Bugle & Orchestra (1994)
    Simon Proctor, composer
    Ralph T. Dudgeon, soloist

    Concerto for Violin & Orchestra (2017)
    Dr. Elena Ruehr, composer
    Irina Muresanu, soloist

  • Cornelia “Corky” Henderson
    Harold Edwards
    C.L. Slonaker
    Jan Land
    Barbara Crummett
    James Moore III
    Megan Mabey
    Jerry Glass
    Debbie Beuth
    Sue Tipton
    Frank Truesdell
    Jean Hartley
    Josephine Katz
    Charles Bosher
    Susan Hale
    Robin Anderson
    John Turner
    Bynum Smith
    Cathy Conner
    Jack Winn
    Betty Ziegler
    Amy Rockhill
    Roger Gant
    Patricia Bradley
    Marie Carpenter
    Beth Atkinson
    Edna Wade
    Janet DeShazo
    Bill Campbell
    Tom Carson
    Myra Kight
    Eugene Stickley
    Elizabeth Grainger
    Earl Chandler
    Stuart Bell
    Janet Worsham
    Chris Turner
    Christine Allen
    Sandra Fralin
    Connie Palmer
    Lorraine Eastman
    Christine Burley
    Ron Coleman
    Bill Buck
    Lynn Ammons
    Bobby Coghill
    Bob Ellithorpe
    Tony Antonelli
    James Hale
    Tommi Kent
    Charles Near
    Blanton Bradley

The Richmond Philharmonic presents free public concerts with the full orchestra each season. In addition, ensembles are available to perform at special events. It is a registered nonprofit organization and donations are tax-deductible.