The Rappahannock Foundation for the Arts (RFA) will present its 33rd annual series of On Stage performances beginning September 26, when the Virginia Symphony Orchestra opens the season at the new Lancaster High School Auditorium, 100 Visionary Way, Irvington, Virginia 22480. All performances begin at 7:30pm.
“Our 2026–27 season begins in a space built not just with bricks and equipment, but with the extraordinary support of this community and the valuable partnership between the RFA and the school system,’ said RFA president Jamie Tucker. “The new, larger, professionally equipped theater at Lancaster High School exists because our neighbors believed in what the arts can mean here. This season’s wide‑ranging music is our way of giving that belief right back.
“We begin with symphonic masterpieces and Celtic fire and move on to jazz‑infused storytelling, Nashville’s finest voices, and a brass‑band romp through American music. If you love great performances, there’s something here that will light you up. It’s a season built to surprise, delight, and bring our whole community together.”
On September 26 the Virginia Symphony Orchestra—celebrated for its world‑class musicianship and artistic excellence—will open the season. The program features Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, and Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. Audiences may also hear a portion of a newly commissioned work by American composer Philip Glass, marking a rare opportunity to experience a contemporary master’s voice alongside timeless classics.
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra will perform September 26 in the new Lancaster High School Auditorium to open the 2026–27 On Stage Season of the Rappahannock Foundation for the Arts.
October 17 cannot come too soon for diehard fans of Solas. Hailed as “the finest Celtic ensemble this country has ever produced,” Solas brings its signature blend of Irish traditional music, virtuosic instrumentalism, and Americana‑infused original compositions. Led by Irish champion flautist and multi‑instrumentalist Séamus Egan, the group’s lineup of renowned performers has earned Solas a reputation as a true Celtic supergroup.
December 12 brings Eddie Barbash & the KASA Quartet to town. Saxophonist Eddie Barbash, one of the most influential voices in contemporary American music, joins forces with the KASA Quartet to reimagine the intersection of jazz and classical traditions. Their program spans American roots, global rhythms, jazz standards, and improvisations that bridge centuries of musical storytelling.
On March 13, 2027, RFA presents the Six One Five Collective. Straight from the heart of Nashville, the Grammy‑nominated Six One Five Collective brings an electric mix of original music, chart‑topping hits written for artists such as Kelly Clarkson, George Strait, and Luke Bryan, and high‑energy covers. Having graced the Grand Ole Opry stage and toured internationally, the group delivers a dynamic, all‑American sound shaped by some of the industry’s most accomplished singer‑songwriters.
The season closes April 10, 2027, with the Dallas Brass, one of the country’s premier brass ensembles, complemented by drums and percussion. They will perform an “American Musical Journey,” a vibrant musical travelogue through the nation’s history. From the era of George Washington to the present day, the program spans Dixieland, Swing, Broadway, Folk, Patriotic, and Pop—an exuberant celebration of American musical heritage.
Purchase a season subscription package with reserved seats by July 10 for $185 (only $37 a show) by calling Donna McGrath, RFA office administrator, at 804-438-5555. The price increases to $200 after July 10, so get your order in soon for the discount! Single tickets can be purchased online beginning in August for $45 a show at rappahannockfoundation.org or by calling the RFA office. Students under 15 are free, but must be accompanied by a paying adult and reserve a seat by emailing Donna McGrath at admin@rfaonstage.com or calling 804-438-5555.
