Benefit Concert for Muse Writers Center

Virginia Arts Festival

Sep 25, 2026

Benefit Concert for Muse Writers Center Musicians of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra with special guest Clay Jenkinson, historian/narrator Benjamin Rous, conductor

Presented by Virginia Arts Festival, Va Symphony Musicians, and TORCH. In this special benefit concert, musicians of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra join acclaimed historian and narrator Clay Jenkinson for America Coming of Age-an evocative exploration of three extraordinary American voices: Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Henry David Thoreau.

About The Muse Writers Center The Muse Writers Center is Hampton Roads’ very own literary center, and since the early 2000s, we have grown into one of the top-10 writers centers nationally, with a vibrant space in central Ghent featuring five classrooms, a semi-private writers room, a recording studio, a library, and an auditorium for readings and special literary events.

Unlike a college or university, we offer creative writing classes and workshops for beginning, experienced, and professional writers.

The Muse believes in the transformative power of the literary arts with the aim to embrace both established and emerging writers as well as those who want to write but haven’t had the opportunity to be guided by great teachers. The-muse.org.

About TORCH TORCH (Thanking our Resident Community Heroes) grew out of the COVID crisis when people were helping each other to survive financially in the midst of so many other challenges. From that experience, an idea was hatched to leverage donations during good times for a greater purpose. Founding member Tom Reel notes, "Instead of giving dollars to artists in need, we could hire them - and mount a benefit concert not for ourselves but for worthy and deserving local organizations outside of the performing arts community - organizations like The Muse Writers Center"

The Virginia Arts Festival and Virginia Symphony have partnered with the Musicians to turn a common business model on its head, raising awareness and money FOR the community and coming FROM the artists. The expectation is for TORCH's unique and visionary musical flame to burn brightly for years and years to come!