Harrison Opera House, Norfolk

Lynnhaven River Now
Musicians of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra

Benefit Concert

Saturday 4:00 PM

November 15, 2025

Date

Saturday, November 15, 2025 4:00 PM

Location

Harrison Opera House, Norfolk

Join us for a joyful concert honoring the heroes who work to protect and restore our local waterways. This special performance celebrates Lynnhaven River Now, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring and protecting Virginia Beach waters and natural areas, ensuring clean and healthy waterways for wildlife and our community.

Experience the beauty and inspiration of music that reflects the flow, life, and vitality of rivers and water. Featuring music performed by talented Musicians of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, this family-friendly event will uplift your spirits while highlighting the importance of preserving our natural treasures. 

Bring your friends and family, enjoy the sounds of river-inspired music, and support the mission of Lynnhaven River Now. Together, we can celebrate the environment, our community, and the joy of music! 

Program

James Hosay—Rivers of the Chesapeake
    I. The Elizabeth
Bedrich Smetana—Vltava (The Moldau), from Má vlast
Deep River, arr. Morton Gould
George Frideric Handel—Suite No. 2 in D major, HWV 349, from Water Music
Johann Strauss Jr.—An der schönen blauen Donau (The Blue Danube)

Credit: Elgin Green

Credit: Sue Mangan

Credit: Steve Daniel

Credit: George Everett

About Lynnhaven River Now

Lynnhaven River Now is a 501(c)(3) organization. Their work centers on restoring and protecting Virginia Beach’s waterways and natural resources. Virginia Beach has a very complex system of eight watersheds that make up 3 major watersheds: Little Creek, Lynnhaven River, Atlantic Ocean, Rudee and Owl Creek, Back Bay, North Landing River, the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River and the Northwest River.

About TORCH

TORCH (Thanking our Resident Community Heroes) grew out of the COVID crisis when people were helping each other to survive financially in the midst of so many other challenges.  From that experience an idea was hatched to leverage donations during good times for a greater purpose.  Founding member Tom Reel notes, "Instead of giving dollars to artists in need, we could hire them - and mount a benefit concert not for ourselves but for worthy and deserving local organizations outside of the performing arts community - organizations like Lynnhaven River NOW."  
The Virginia Arts Festival and Virginia Symphony have partnered with the Musicians to turn a common business model on its head, raising awareness and money FOR the community and coming FROM the artists.  The expectation is for TORCH's unique and visionary musical flame to burn brightly for years and years to come!