Neighborhood Concerts
Neighborhood Concerts
Neighborhood Concerts are an excuse to meet your neighbors; a way to welcome newcomers; a chance to deepen connections beyond a quick hello; the pause in your individual pursuits that makes community possible. Consider sponsoring one in your neighborhood in 2026! Here’s how it works:
These are 45-minute outdoor solo violin performances of mostly classical music given by Ellen Cockerham Riccio (a.k.a. Principal Second Violinist of the Richmond Symphony, the Backyard Violinist, and the creative force behind First Creatures). These concerts are open to EVERYONE - you’ll invite your neighbors, and we will also announce it publicly.
The concert is free to attend, but donations will be accepted. To book a date, a sponsorship fee of $125.00 must be paid. This fee may be split between people.
You and Ellen will find a date that works for both of you. If it rains, the concert will be rescheduled. (Or, if you have access to an indoor space that is open to the public, the concert may be moved inside.) Front porches, front yards, balconies, and cul-de-sacs are all great locations for this. Tell your neighbors to bring camp chairs or a blanket to sit on.
Most importantly, use this opportunity to get to know your neighbors and build your community, whether that means creating an email/phone number list, planning a potluck for after the concert, or simply sharing this special experience with everyone.
Upcoming concerts
Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026 at 5:30pm
1114 N. 24th St., Richmond (Church Hill)
Sponsored by Colin and Cristina Baumgartner
It started in the backyard.
In April of 2020, Richmond Symphony violinist Ellen Cockerham Riccio began offering concerts in backyards during a time of isolation, uncertainty, and digital overload. Although she became known as “the backyard violinist”, many of the concerts took place in front yards and cul-de-sacs, with friends, family, and neighbors in attendance (well-distanced, of course!). For many, these concerts brought a much-needed sense of connection with others, as well as hope and even joy during a difficult time.
Fast-forward to today, and times are still difficult (though not quite so weird), and people still need this sense of connection, hope, and joy in their lives. Through neighborhood concerts, we can carry with us an important lesson we learned in those early months: that our time together is precious.
Interested in a Backyard Concert?
Yes, you can still hire these same musicians to play a private concert! Contact Ellen at backyardviolinist@gmail.com to book.
