Founded in 2010, The Apollo Orchestra is comprised of some of Washington DC area’s finest professional freelance classical musicians. Apollo’s highly experienced players, including members of the U.S. premier military bands, join forces with well-known opera stars and accomplished international instrumental soloists to present FREE concerts throughout the DC area. Apollo also frequently collaborates with young opera singers from the Washington National Opera’s Cafritz Young Artist Program, emerging soloists from other internationally known artist programs, and winners of major competitions.
Apollo’s vision is to present classical orchestral music and opera at a high performance standard to local DC area communities, providing up-close and educational live music experiences and meet-the-artists receptions at easy to access, informal venues.
Funded since its inception entirely by The Downing Family Foundation. this unique, single-source long term underwriting approach model, combined with a senior management team who volunteer their time, eliminates substantial overhead expenses typically incurred by classical orchestras, and allows Apollo to maintain its free admission policy so as to serve the widest possible audience in all communities.
The Apollo Orchestra is administered by Robert Downing, Chairman, CEO and Co-founder, and Virginia Lum, Executive and Artistic Director and Co-founder. The administrative team includes Margaret Dikel, Orchestra Manager and Librarian; Olivia Ren, Marketing Director; Shawn Buck, Web Administrator; Alexander Rise, Stage Manager; and Bruce Vartan Boyajian, Official Photographer.
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