A youth orchestra is desperately looking for a new rehearsal hall and storage space as the place they have called home for the past 10 years is being sold.
The Richmond Delta Youth Orchestra (RDYO), a non-profit organization consisting of almost 200 members, received notice from their Richmond landlord they will need to vacate the property by June 30 as it is being put up for sale.
RDYO offers students ages eight to 18 a safe environment to develop as young musicians.
According to the orchestra, “nowhere is able to accommodate the sound, size, and time-of-day availability” despite the search for alternative spaces.
“Finding an alternative venue to provide both an adequate rehearsal space and accessible equipment storage is proving to be a considerable challenge,” reads the RDYO media statement.
Stephen Robb, music director at RDYO, is hoping someone will step forward to help the orchestra find a space.
“Students benefit from opportunities to experience music at a high level, and many have gone on to careers in music,” said Robb.
“Concerto competitions, chamber music and small ensembles, scholarship awards, fall development camp, special masterclasses and workshops, new music projects, and young composers are all unique opportunities for students of RDYO, and require appropriate spaces to rehearse and perform.”
RDYO is reaching out to the community for an “immediate, even temporary solution” for the benefit of the students and the organization.
“The impact of this situation on our students and our charity will be profound if we cannot find an immediate solution before the end of June.”
