The RSO's mission is to enrich lives, educate and entertain diverse audiences in western Virginia with the highest quality instrumental and choral concerts, and to enhance traditional performances with innovative programming. The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra is the largest professional orchestra in Virginia west of Richmond. The organization we know of today as the RSO was founded by Gibson Morrisey and a small group of dedicated music lovers in 1953 -- Morrissey served as the group's conductor until his death in 1975. He was succeed by Jack Moehlenkamp, Victoria Bond, and finally, David Stewart Wiley, who has led the RSO since 1996. In addition to RSO Principals, a diverse roster of guest artists have performed with the RSO. Acclaimed classical soloists have included Sir James Galway, award winning pianists Awadagin Pratt, Jon Nakamatsu, Christopher O'Riley and Norman Krieger, clarinetist Richard Stolzman, violinists Natasha Korsakova, David Kim, soprano Leontyne Price, cellists Julie Albers and Zuill Bailey, jazz greats Billy Taylor and Marian McPartland, guitarists Glen Campbell, Liona Boyd and Chet Atkins, trumpeter Doc Severinsen, headliners Roberta Flack, Mercedes Ellington, Liza Minnelli, Tony Bennett, Lou Rawls, Willie Nelson, Bruce Hornsby, Al Jarreau, Olivia Newton John, Michael McDonald, Wynonna, Aaron Neville, Art Garfunkel, The Moscow Ballet, Kool and the Gang, The Moody Blues, Cirque de la Symphonie, Jeans n' Classics, and Bernadette Peters. The RSO performs as the orchestra for Opera Roanoke, and the RSO remains a vital source for performance and collaboration with presenting organizations in Virginia's Blue Ridge. The RSO has a thriving education division: StudioRSO. Serving over 8,500 students annually, StudioRSO boasts three youth ensembles, after-school string classes, educational concerts and a booming In-School Ensemble program. StudioRSO finishes it's season with Summer Music Institute, an intensive orchestra camp for students ages 9-18.