Celebrate 20! An Awesome Party - with the Vancouver Island Symphony

Celebrate 20!
The Vancouver Island Symphony launches their 20^th Anniversary Season
An Awesome Party!
Celebrating 20 years of fantastic music
Season and single concert tickets available NOW!

 It’s “An Awesome Party!” as the Vancouver Island Symphony, winner of the 2012 City of Nanaimo Cultural award and a jewel in the world of professional orchestras, launches their 20^th Anniversary season and celebrates 20 years of great music, amazing musicians and wonderful audiences.

Says Pierre Simard, the VI Symphony’s illustrious artistic director, “Your Vancouver Island Symphony offers a year-round musical party… We glimpse at twenty extraordinary symphonic years with special guests, friends, family – all of which make VIS history. We also look enthusiastically into the future with gorgeous, inspiring and powerful concerts for all ages! It is the most meaningful season we have ever had.”

 Be prepared for wonderful music that satisfies every taste - from Timeless Treasures of the great classics and two world premieres, to Popular Pleasures with familiar favourites – and extra-special concerts and community events.

Timeless Treasures - Says Simard, “This series features audience favourites, outstanding soloists and delightful music.” The party begins on Saturday, October 25 with ‘Celebrate with Tetsuumi and Elgar.’ Nanaimo native, protégé and virtuoso violinist Tetsuumi Nagata comes home to perform one of the best known of all violin concertos while the orchestra presents “Fanfare” by Simard and “Enigma Variations” by Elgar. On Wednesday, November 12, the VI Symphony presents a special Remembrance Day show, ‘Lest We Forget’ featuring our friends to the South, the Victoria Symphony and the Canadian Scottish Regiment Pipe and Drum Band. Then on Saturday, November 22, in ‘Mozart & Friends,’ the VI Symphony performs music that builds with grace from Elgar and Vaughan Williams to Mozart’s “Requiem”, his magnificent final masterpiece. Here the orchestra is joined by the Pacific Spirit Choir, A Capella Plus, The Island Consort and soloists. On Saturday, January 31, popular Canadian pianist Ian Parker returns to perform Mozart’s “Piano Concerto no. 20” in ‘Friendship: Ian & Beethoven.’ Also featured is the world premiere of “Mix Tape” by Nanaimo native and past composer-in-residence, Jason Nett. The concert concludes with Beethoven’s most excellent “Symphony no. 7.” Then it’s ‘From Pierre with Love’ on Saturday, April 18, with the VIS Symphonic Choir. Says Simard, “Here is my 20^th Anniversary gift – music which I deeply cherish!” From the sounds of gracious flowing waters, to the world premiere of a cello concerto by Vancouver composer Dorothy Chang, performed by Ariel Barnes, to the rousing close of the season with Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture - what a party!

Popular Pleasures - Trumpets and horns herald in Nanaimo’s traditional VI Symphony Family Christmas with ‘A Festive Brassy Christmas’ on Saturday, December 13. The orchestra is joined by Festive Brass, the VIS Symphonic Choir and the newly formed Symphonic Children’s Choir (open to Grades 5-8) for an exciting program of soul-stirring music that is near and dear to all, from the familiar and traditional to delightful surprises. Soprano Nadya Blanchette and tenor Ken Lavigne team up on Saturday, February 14 (Valentine’s Day) for ‘He Sings, She Sighs – A Romantic Comedy,’ an original one-of-a-kind show featuring charm, passion, seduction and humour as they sing love songs and duets. Then, at last! On Saturday, March 21, ‘Tonight… Piaf’ arrives on stage with a full orchestra in this premiere performance that stars Nanaimo’s very own Joëlle Rabu. Says Simard, “Our Popular Pleasures series conveys everything love and friendship, home and heart, with eternal songs and beloved melodies.”

Special Events – The VI Symphony is also about community, and the party continues with VI Symphony extra-special events, from school shows featuring Rick Scott in “My Symphony” to the “2^nd Annual Nanaimo Bar NONE” on March 14, produced by Calvin Dyck and showcasing scrumptious Nanaimo talent. And not to forget – Symphony Community Days on October 25 and April 18.

Get the best seats now! – Season and single concert tickets are on sale NOW! With the purchase of a package of all eight season concerts, or the Timeless Treasures series of five shows, or the Popular Pleasures series of three shows, the Vancouver Island Symphony offers up to 45% off the regular single ticket price. Call the Port Theatre Ticket Centre at 250-754-8550 to book your symphony tickets now!

Happy 20^th! Come Celebrate with us! Experience the thrill of live symphonic music!

It’s An AWESOME Party!

For more information visit www.vancouverislandsymphony.com.

Celebrate 20! Keeping Music LIVE!