Founded in 2010, The Apollo Orchestra provides a platform for many of the Washington DC area’s finest professional freelance classical musicians. The orchestra, composed of highly experienced players–including members of D.C.’s Premiere military bands, joins forces with well-known opera stars and accomplished international instrumental soloists for an annual series of FREE concerts throughout the DC area. Apollo also features a number of soloists and singers in the early stages of their international careers, including frequent collaborations with The Cafritz Young Artists of Washington National Opera, as well as singers and soloists from other top tier emerging artist programs and winners of prominent 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.
Apollo has been funded since its inception entirely by The Downing Family Foundation. This single-source long term funding approach, combined with modest administrative costs from a senior management team who donate their time and service, has resulted in the elimination of substantial overhead expenses typically incurred by classical orchestras, thus providing a model that allows Apollo to maintain its free admission policy so as to serve the widest possible audience.
Apollo is administered by Robert Downing, Chairman and CEO, Virginia Lum, Executive and Artistic Director, and Lynn Downing, Senior Vice President. The administrative staff also includes Margaret Dikel, Orchestra Manager and librarian, Jordan Avellino, Director of Marketing, and Shawn Buck, Web Administrator.
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