Free ‘Symphony Under the Stars’ concerts return to Williamsburg, Yorktown next week

HISTORIC TRIANGLE – Symphony music will fill the air in Williamsburg and Yorktown next week as the Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s (VSO) beloved “Music Under the Stars” series returns to the Historic Triangle.

This year’s theme, “Musical Mosaic,” showcases timeless composers and favorite hit scores from classics like E.T., Peer Gynt and Oklahoma!

VSO will first perform at Lake Matoaka Amphitheatre in Williamsburg at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2, and then will return to Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5. 

Susan Corbett, William & Mary’s communications specialist, noted that the Williamsburg performance “highlights the close connection” between the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and the college’s Department of Music.

William & Mary partners with the City of Williamsburg to sponsor the outdoor concert each year. Additionally, several music department faculty members perform with the orchestra, including trumpet instructor David Vonderheide, bassoon instructor Laura Leisring and flute instructor Joanne White.

The Riverwalk Landing performance will feature a special presentation of the Yorktown Centennial March, which was written for the 1881 centennial celebration in Yorktown. 

According to William Cole, Chairman of the Celebrate Yorktown Committee, the score was composed by John Philip Sousa and performed on Oct. 19, 1881. Sousa returned 50 years later and composed another march for the Yorktown Sesquicentennial, which he conducted along with the “Star-Spangled Banner.”

The Celebrate Yorktown Committee was elated to learn that VSO would perform the march this year amid the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations, Cole added.

“The VSO almost never varies from the standard fare, so we were very pleased when they responded to our request to play it,” Cole said.

Prior to the start of the Yorktown concert, the Fifes & Drums of York Town will take the stage at 6 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to pack a cooler and bring a picnic, and blue ribbons will be awarded for the most creative picnic arrangements.

While the Symphony Under the Stars series is free and open to the public, Cole emphasized that the concerts – which draw thousands of locals and visitors alike annually – require extensive planning. 

The Celebrate Yorktown Committee, a volunteer-run organization, works diligently throughout the year to raise the money needed to cover the cost of the program, Cole said.

The event is made possible through generous support from York County, the York County Arts Commission and the Virginia Commission for the Arts, as well as community organizations, businesses and individuals. 

“The Celebrate Yorktown Committee of the Yorktown Foundation thanks the many individuals who have financially supported our presentation of the VSO for the 27th year,” Cole said. “We could not welcome the public for free without these donations.”

Parking and admission

Parking for the Yorktown concert will be available at the Riverwalk Landing Parking Terrace on Water Street, as well as York Hall, York-Poquoson Courthouse, the County Administration Building, Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

Guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and blanket. No tickets are required. Because the concert draws a large crowd, early arrival is recommended.

Guests who attend the Williamsburg concert will need a wristband to enter the venue. Seating is limited, and wristbands – which are free – will be provided to attendees on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Concertgoers are encouraged to bring beach chairs or blankets, provided they do not obstruct the view of others. Personal coolers and picnic baskets are welcome, but glass containers and outside alcoholic beverages are prohibited. All bags and coolers will be inspected before entry. Food and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will also be available for purchase inside the Lake Matoaka venue.

Parking will be available in the garage at 201 Ukrop Way. Handicap spaces will be open at the Raymond A. Mason School of Business parking lot, and golf carts will be on site beginning at 6 p.m. for those with mobility issues.

The amphitheatre is about one-third of a mile from the parking garage, and guests should be aware that the walking route includes uneven terrain, a downhill grade and several sets of steps. From the drop-off location, guests will still need to walk a short distance to reach the audience seating area.

In the case of inclement weather, the Williamsburg “Musical Mosaic” concert will be rescheduled to Sept. 15, while Yorktown’s rain date for the program is Sept. 8.

VSO will also perform in free summer concerts in Newport News, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Portsmouth.

For more information, visit virginiasymphony.org.