TORCH (Thanking Our Resident Community Heroes) grew out of our COVID experience. With the Virginia Symphony laid off, members of Local 125 found ourselves with both financial and musical challenges. Circumstances had conspired to deprive us of our usual sustenance, both monetary and spiritual. Some of us organized chamber concerts from driveways to outdoor public spaces. Others who were able provided dollars or restaurant gift cards to colleagues in need. And from this crucible an idea was born.
When times were better, instead of giving money to each other, we could leverage those dollars and hire musicians for an annual performance – a benefit concert. And why not raise awareness and money, not for ourselves but for a worthy & deserving community asset outside of the performing arts? When the nascent concept was described as “visionary” by the head of the Virginia Arts Festival, the Union approached the VAF to inquire if they might be interested in a partnership, providing their logistical and marketing expertise. We knew that just having an idea was one thing; executing it would be more challenging! When the VAF said “yes,” the pieces were in place to launch TORCH.
The goals of TORCH are to help a community asset with a Union-funded benefit concert (hopefully one such event each year), and hiring musicians to play, thus burnishing further the reputation of Local 125 and our partners as valued citizens in the Hampton Roads community. On occasion, TORCH may donate to a “community hero” directly, without mounting a major ticketed concert or event.
We like the idea of turning the arts business model of asking the community for money on its head once a year and giving back to a deserving organization – a gift FROM the artists. Plans are being developed for fund raising to enable this project to continue for many years to come!
Past Events
November 15, 2025 at the Harrison Opera House
benefitting Lynhaven River NOW
December 3, 2023 at the Harrison Opera House
benefitting For Kids