IU Presidential Arts and Humanities Grant Supports Virginia Beach Symphony Recording

Stem Productions Studio is pleased to announce that an Indiana University Presidential Arts and Humanities Production Grant will support the next stage of Virginia Beach Symphony, including a recording of the complete work with Symphonicity in spring 2027.

The four-movement symphony presents Virginia Beach through the places, communities, and histories that give the city its distinctive character. The music moves from the inspiring Oceanfront to the hustle and bustle of its Town Center, the rural landscape of Pungo, and the city’s longstanding connection with the United States Navy. Together, the movements form a musical portrait of a place Stem called home for 30 years.

Following the symphony’s November 2025 premiere under Music Director Daniel Boothe, the upcoming recording will reunite the composer and Symphonicity to revisit the work in a setting designed specifically for audio and visual production.

The project team envisions the finished work as more than a conventional orchestral recording, pairing the music with footage of Virginia Beach, portions of the recording process, and other visual elements that connect the symphony to the locations and stories that inspired it. Plans also include exploring the placement of QR codes at parks, museums, cultural sites, and local businesses, allowing listeners to experience the music in places connected to its inspiration.

The team extends its gratitude to Indiana University for its support, as well as to Daniel Boothe, Executive Director Nikki Bergman, and the musicians of Symphonicity for their continued commitment to the symphony.

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