EDUCATION & COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS

Underwritten by John H. & Margery M. McEown Trust for the Performing Arts and The Sunflower Fund

VS Education Programs

VS Education programs instill a passion for music in children of all ages. Our programs are creative and collaborative giving participants the keys they need to unlock a deeper understanding of how to make, and appreciate, the value of music in our lives.

Education Concerts

These concerts are designed for students in Kindergarten through Grade 7 in Victoria, Saanich, Sooke, Gulf Islands and Cowichan school districts as well as independent and home learners.

The concerts are specifically designed to provide fun, accessible, and engaging experiences while exposing students to the wonders of live classical music. Over 10,000 elementary school students across lower Vancouver Island attend these concerts each year.

Musicians In Schools

Catering to groups of 30 to 300, the Musicians in Schools program aims to introduce students to different instruments and musical styles and give them a glimpse into the world of our hard-working musicians. These musician ensembles bring innovative, inspiring, and entertaining performances and workshops to schools from February through April. This program allows students to connect more directly with the musicians and provides a fun, open dialogue for eager questions.

Master Classes

VS musicians pair up with music classes in the Greater Victoria area to offer customized advanced instruction for students. Each musician provides a one-hour music class with participating schools for a total of four classes per year.

Open Rehearsals For Middle And High School

This is a unique opportunity to have a behind-the-scenes look at how orchestra musicians, conductors, and guest performers prepare for a concert. Students experience the orchestra in a more relaxed and informal atmosphere. Open rehearsals may also offer the opportunity to ask questions about a career in music or the rehearsal process.

Symphony Storytime

Specially created for preschool-aged children, Symphony Storytime offers the chance for youngsters to learn about the Symphony, orchestral instruments, and what professional musicians do for a living. These highly interactive performances are tailored for active young children’s attention spans and are a perfect way to introduce children to the world of music.

Women In Musical Leadership

Victoria Symphony is a proud participant in the Women in Musical Leadership program again in 2023-24. This program, facilitated by Tapestry Opera and in lead partnership with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Pacific Opera, supports women and non-binary conductors by providing mentorship, training, and placements with orchestras, opera companies, and ensembles across Canada.

The program’s innovative, multi-faceted approach is one path to addressing the historic gender imbalance in classical music and opera, and is a unique infrastructure to give promising women and non-binary conductors the time, experience, and relationships they need to take the podium anywhere in the world.

VS Community Outreach Programs

VSNEW vsNEW is an innovative program for local, young composers to write new works for small ensembles of dedicated VS musicians. Each year, aspiring composers attend workshops guided by our VS Composer-Mentor in Residence. At the end of the program there is a performance of the new music and each composer is asked to speak to the audience about the ideas and inspirations behind their piece.

Hugh Davidson Composer Readings

Dedicated to the late Hugh Davidson, a strong supporter of new music, this program provides the opportunity for aspiring professional composers writing new music for orchestra, to have their pieces rehearsed by the VS and receive feedback. A call for submissions occurs annually.

PRE-CONCERT CHATS

Select VS presentations begin with Pre-Concert Chats that guide audiences through the music they are about to hear. These free talks feature artists, musicologists, and scholars who provide context designed to be enjoyed by the first-time concertgoer as much as the experienced aficionado.