VBRMF announces two summer performances in Floyd

Virginia’s Blue Ridge Music Festival (VBRMF) returns to Floyd for its 2026 season for two classical performances set for later this month.

The first, on Friday, June 19, is titled "America at 250: from 1776-2026," and it will spotlight the music of American composers including Amy Beach, George Gershwin, Aaron Copland, Scott Joplin, Duke Ellington, and more. These composers were pioneers in blurring the boundaries between classical, folk, and popular music.

Roanoke Symphony Orchestra (RSO) Musical Director Dr. David Stewart Wiley will share his talent on piano and original compositions. He will be joined by RSO Concertmaster violinist Akemi Takayama, flutist Julee Hickcox, and oboist William Parrish.

This special one-hour program will also feature area young musicians showcasing their amazing talent. It will state at 6:30 p.m. on June 19 at The Presbyterian Church of Floyd (169 Newtown Rd.). Admission is free with donations appreciated.

"Beethoven and Mozart in the Mountains" will be the conclusion to the 2026 festival on Sunday, June 21. Top professional musicians of the RSO and guests will perform three timeless classics by Mozart and Beethoven, up close and personal beginning at 3 p.m. in Celebration Hall at the Floyd Event Center (188 EcoVillage Trail). 

The program features David Stewart Wiley conducting Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s sublime Mozart Sinfonia Concertante in E-Flat Major with Akemi Takayama, violin, and Satoko Rickenbacker, viola, soloists.

Dr. Akemi Takayama is well known to VBRMF audiences. Praised by legendary violinist Isaac Stern as “a true musician who will always bring credit to any group that she works with,” Takayama has built an international career as a performer, educator, and leader.

Satoko Rickenbacker, principal violist for RSO has performed chamber music throughout United States, Europe, and Asia. She was also featured on CNN headline News at the Rialto.  She has performed as a guest principal with Amarillo Symphony Orchestra with Mark O’Connor and Joel Smirnoff. She is a member of Chesapeake String Quartet and has served as a violist with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra since 2003.

The program on June 21 will continue with another great Mozart masterpiece, "Mozart Symphony #1 in E-Flat Major, KV16." Takayama and Satoko Rickenbacker will be joined by Christopher Caudill and Rachel Niketopoulo, horns, Bill Parrish, oboe, and Julee Hickcox, flute. Violinists Matvey Lapin, Caroline Jarrell and Caroline Stephenson, violas Sam Phillips and Bryan Matheson, cello Cesar Colmenares, and double bass Mara Barker to complete the Festival Virtuoso Orchestra.

This performance culminates with Rachel Niketopoulos and Christopher Caudill performing "Sextet for Two Horns and Strings Op. 81B" composed by Ludwig van Beethoven. Floyd is honored to welcome these professional musicians for our festival.

Tickets for this performance are $25 for adults and $5 for students. Purchase tickets at the door or by emailing VirginiasBlueRidgeMusicFestical.org.

Maestro Wiley is the Artistic Director, founder and inspiration for Virginia’s Blue Ridge Music Festival. His vision and musical genius shines in each and every performance he creates. He speaks often of the need for music education and opportunities to hear live classical music not only in Roanoke but in Floyd County. Wiley has served as music director and conductor of RSO since 1996. His acclaimed career includes serving as conductor in major American symphonies in Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Cincinnati, San Francisco, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Minnesota, Saint Louis, Oregon, Hawaii, Utah, and Long Island, New York, as well as, in dozens of countries world-wide. He has contributed extensively to the arts in Roanoke and has led the orchestra to excellence, financial stability, and outreach throughout the New River Valley.

It was announced in May that Wiley will step down in 2028 after the 75th anniversary of the RSO. His legacy and belief in music education will continue for many years.

Virginia’s blue Ridge Music Festival is a nonprofit outreach organization of the RSO. The mission is to broaden our region’s musical richness by making classical music and a blend of Appalachian styles affordable and available in Floyd County. This is achieved through professional concerts throughout the year, music education, sponsoring individual students for lessons and instruments, and supporting Blue Ridge Strings, a program of June Bug Center.