Impact Report 2020—2021
Message from the President & CEO VSO and VSO School of Music
President & CEO
Though a year of unbelievable and unexpected challenges, the 2020-2021 VSO School of Music year is one that we can look back upon with pride. Through your generous support and the dedication of our community, we found ways to ensure all of our music education programs remained accessible all the way through the pandemic. With ambition we continued to provide irreplaceable opportunities, such as private lessons, group lessons, competitions, festivals, performances and master classes in new formats where health and safety were ensured. We remained deeply committed to making certain that everyone was able to access the learning opportunities they needed which enabled students to participate in experiences that are so important to the curation of skill and vital to the development of human potential.
This past September, we re-opened our doors next to the Orpheum back many of our students who enthusiastically showed up for th in-person classes. And we continue to see our online distance l grow! As you will see in this report, we are able to reach many around the world and provide the joy of music during a time whe anxiety and depression was at an all-time high. It became clear of music was appreciated so much more than before. We are committed to keeping the music going in a way that is bo As we look ahead to 2022, I hope you too feel pride in the succ helped to achieve for the VSO School of Music in the 2020-2021 It is thanks to your support that all of our students, of all a backgrounds, were able to access music education and inspiratio when they needed it most.
In March 2020, when the world turned digital to help us stay connected, the SoM pivoted quickly to offering virtual classes so that every single student at the VSOSoM was able to remain engaged. And with access to music education so easily accessible, we welcomed new students from around the world. In 2021-22, the VSOSoM saw new students located in: Canada Victoria, Nanaimo, Terrace, Salt Spring, Galiano, Sunshine Coast, Bowen Island, Agassiz, Whistler, Squamish, Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Mission, Maple Ridge, Langley, Powell River, Lethbridge, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Regina, Medicine Hat, Ottawa, Toronto, Kitchener, Montreal, Newfoundland, Yellowknife, & Whitehorse United States California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Wyoming, Montana, Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, & Maine Internationally UK, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, & New Zealand VSO School of Music provides classes, lessons, and opportunities to participate in to students of all ages and skill levels. studentsstudiedatthe VSOSchoolofMusic aged 0-6 years aged years aged years aged 20-54 years aged years
1,645
512
342
279
13-19
7-12
226
286
Age Demographic The
55+
ensembles
Students from Around the Globe
George & Mary Anne Sigal Fund Skills for Hope Foundation Fund Lisa and Andrew Sweeney Fund Leon & Joan Tuey Fund Lis and Bruce Welch Fund for Early Years
Scholarships provided by: Early Years and Covenant House in Surrey School District St. James Music Academy Bursary Matching Gift Campaign
St. James Music Academy
Tengxi Qiu Scholarship Fund Lis and Bruce Welch Fund for Early Years
Wesbild Fund for Early Years and 46studentssupported bybursaries Bursaries provided by: Early Years and Covenant House for Jazz students for students aged 5-12 years for students up to 18 years
The VSOSoM launched two matching gift campaigns in 2020-2021, and together, we exceeded both targets! Verner and Helga Höing generously provided a matching gift of $30,000 to help develop and expand new programming, and together, we raised $60,000 for your School of Music, with an additional gift of $25,000 inspired by the match from Ronald Cliff and the Heathcliff Foundation. Mary Anne Sigal also generously provided a matching gift of $10,000 for bursary funding during a time when so many students and their families were affected by the pandemic. Thanks to your support, we were able to provide bursary support for those students who needed it most. On behalf of the students, faculty and staff—we are truly appreciative of your dedication to music education.
Wesbild Fund for Early Years and Youtz Family Performance Prep
Rennie Foundation Fund
First Light Foundation Fund for Höing Family Fund for students
Each school year, scholarships are awarded as part of the Future of Excellence Competition and the VSOSoM Festivals for Strings and Piano, in addition to many more opportunities. Scholarships are awarded purely on the basis of musical 44scholarshipsawarded
Matching Gift Campaigns
Höing Family Fund for Exceptional Talent
First Light Foundation Fund for Hamber Foundation Fund HSBC Bursary Fund
Performance Prep Program
Piano Shanil Sharma, Saxophone
Generously supported by the Youtz Family
6PerformancePrep Program
Georgia Bellamy, Jazz
studentsfilledtheir gapyearswithinvaluable experiences
I have enjoyed so much about the Performance Prep Program, in particular the hands-on opportunities that have arisen from it. I feel very lucky to have recorded twice with Miles Black. I have also thoroughly enjoyed my experiences acting as an assistant technician in the Pyatt Hall, and it goes without saying that the quality of the private lessons is extraordinary.
— Karl de Jong
The VSOSoM Performance Prep Program is a 10-month residency for gap year students who show a high level of musical talent, and desire preparation to progress to higher education in classical, jazz or world music performance. This one of a kind program provides invaluable experience for students including private lessons, ensemble classes, masterclasses by VSO guest artists, coaching by VSO musicians, career-resilience development, marketing and public relations training, financial literacy training, audition and application preperation, performance opportunities, and much more.
Percussion Ghislaine Dote, Jazz Voice Clare
Karl DeJong, Kneesh, Evelyn Lu,
Voice
Clarinet
In
Percussion
Piano Henning
Performance Leone Buyse, Flute
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, as young students enjoy the opportunity to take lessons & masterclasses with some of the world’s greatest performing artists. At each event, up to four of the VSOSoM’s advanced students will receive one on one coaching with a leading professional in their field, leading up to an in-person masterclass which will be available to watch live in Pyatt Hall, or virtually through YouTube livestream. 2020-2021, the VSOSoM was able to successfully deliver a hybrid model for our master classes, taking place both virtually and in-person. Brueggergosman, Angela Cheng, Jane Coop, Eriko Daimo, Stewart Goodyear, Kraggerud, Alain Trudel, Várdai, Chamber Music
Piano
Trombone István
Violin
10InternationalMasterTeacherClasses tookplacevirtuallyandin-person Adi Braun, Vocals Maesha
Piano
Ensembles 78 students across 6 String Ensembles 26 students across 7 Chamber Ensembles 10 students in Guitar Ensembles 33 students across 6 Jazz Combos 13 students in Big Band Ensembles 9 students in Jam with Jodi—Jazz for Seniors 16 in Azalea Chinese Music Ensemble AdvancedAdult TheBeginnerIntermediateYouthYouthYouthVSOSchoolofMusic’s vast variety of ensembles are a uniquely supportive and friendly space for students of all ages and levels to build ensemble skills, challenge themselves musically, and experience unforgettable performance, masterclass, coaching and social opportunities. 185studentsplayin ensemblesattheVSOSoM StringWorldJazzClassicalEnsembles and Levels CamerataSinfoniettaIntermezzo & Concertante Preludio & Minuetto
There is clear and proven information that music plays a powerful role on having a positive impact on health, mental health and wellbeing. The World Health Organization has stated, “Results from over 3,000 studies identified a major role for the arts in the prevention of ill health, promotion of health, and management and treatment of illness across the lifespan.”
Hill Strategies, through a Canadian study, concluded that, “There is a strong connection between cultural participation and health. There is solid evidence of a connection between cultural participation and mental health.” According to a study conducted by the United Way, 76% of Canadians surveyed say the pandemic has had a negative effect on their mental health. The Government of Canada reports, “People are being challenged like never before due to isolation, physical health concerns, substance use concerns, financial and employment uncertainty, and the emotional dialogue around racial equality.”
This is where the VSO School of Music makes such positive impact. Participation in music making serves as a powerful vehicle for improved mental health and general well-being. How do we do this? Through creative experiences that engage participants in self-expression, the creative process and focused attention—the essence of music making. As well, the social element elevates the soul and creates meaningful community.
The VSO School of Music has designed programs that are specifically health oriented, such as Music Therapy, No Barriers directed to those on the spectrum, Yoga to Live Classical Music, and Alexander Technique. However, perhaps more important, is the knowledge thatall music making promotes health and wellbeing. That is a key priority for all us at the VSO School of Music.
Early LearningChildhood Our Mini Music Makers classes are taught by highly experienced and qualified Early Childhood music instructors and musicians, and are full of singing, moving, playing and learning. In 2020-2021, we were able to expand our Mini Music Makers program drastically thanks to generous FundA-Need support through our Virtual Gala and our annual supporters. While unable to hold classes inperson, we delivered our classes virtually, and when safe, expanded to outdoor venues including Trout Lake and Emery Barnes Park. Moving forward, we will continue to provide options to access these programs —on-site at the SoM, outdoors, or online—to ensure our students and families feel safe. 441familiesparticipatedin MiniMusicMakers 161 In-person & hybrid classes 126 Online classes 154 Outdoor classes (Mini Music in the Park) Our Mini Music Teacher Monica is amazing! We love her energy and she has really helped to welcome our daughter who has special needs, and create an inclusive environment for her.Our daughter has learned so much about music, and enthusiastically looks forward to her classes with Teacher Nadia with great anticipation. Thank you for helping to instill a love of music in our daughter!
Kai is Concert Master of the Sinfonietta, the VSO School of Music’s advanced string orchestra. This inspirational string orchestra is the only ensemble of its kind in the Lower Mainland. This auditioned, dynamic group of 30 young musicians are positioned to maximize the opportunity that occurs when a symphony has a music school. President & CEO Angela Elster notes that, “There is only one music school central to the life of a major symphony orchestra in Canada, the VSO School of Music, and just a few around the world. We work hard to find as many synergies as possible, be it the world-class VSO Symphony musicians teaching at the School, International Guest Artists giving time to conduct a Masterclass with students of the school, students playing side-by-side with the orchestra, and even providing the rising star students with opportunities to perform solo concertos with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.”
Kai is especially excited when he talks about getting to be the recipient of the unique musical possibilities that Sinfonietta allows. “There have been so many, but some really stick out in my mind. Kari Kriikku, a Finnish clarinet player lead all of us string players on this global journey blending folk melodies with new sounds - it was totally engaging.” Kai’s voice fills with enthusiasm as he talks about playing flashmobs; performing with the Bach Choir over the winter holidays; receiving a week of coaching from the Australian string quartet and then getting to perform with them; and getting to be the first strings group to get to play in the BC Legislature building for inauguration.
“Saturdays at the VSO School of Music is my favourite day of the week.” Says Kai Chow, a 14-year-old violin player who has been coming to the VSO School of Music all the way from Abbotsford for the past ten years. I came to the School when my teacher Carla Birston starting teaching there, so originally I was not really thinking much about the School and had no idea how much it would mean to me. “Now I basically camp out in the School from 8:30 to 5:00 every Saturday. All of my friends are there, and we hang out and we practice, and we play. Carla Birston (who heads the string department of the VSO SoM) has built a family at the School, it is something really special. There is so much support and just the right type of atmosphere. Everyone is cheering each other on. It’s not competitive, its collaborative.
14-year-old Da-Wei Chan’s eyes lift up to the wall in front of him where he has kept the promotion posters from the Masterclasses he has been lucky enough to participate in. A smile crossed his face as Da-Wei recounts getting to play alongside Angelo Xiang-Yu, Nicola Benedetti, Karen Gomyo, the Australian String Quartet, Ray Chen, Henning Kraggerud, Istvan Vardai, Rachell Ellen Wong and Nick Wright. When queried if Da-Wei finds Masterclasses intimidating, where he would prepare a piece of music and then have it critiqued in front of an audience in Alan & Gwendoline Pyatt Hall. Da-Wei responds with a resounding, “Not at all, I am so grateful that I can play for such great violinists. They are all so supportive and compassionate. They make you feel like you can do a great job and they are there to help.” Da-Wei is also quick to point out how lucky he is for the five Masterclasses he has been able to participate in. “You can’t find this kind of access to great violinists anywhere else.” Da-Wei cannot remember his first memory of the VSO School of Music because he was so young when he started attending that his memories do not go back that far. The first memory he does have of the School is participating in a music competition where he was by far the youngest competitor. DaWei has gone on to participate in many more competitions and most recently he won third place in the highly competitive Solo Strings Provincials Excellence Class (27 years and under) at the 2021 BC Performing Arts Provincial Competition.
Both Kai and Da-Wei are excited about the year ahead, while they took full opportunity of the virtual offerings during the Pandemic they are both keen to play in person, to live audiences, side-by-side with the Symphony and hope to get to play for you so they can share their gratitude with you for supporting the VSO School of Music and their own personal music journey.
VSO School of Music 843 Seymour Street, Vancouver, BC p 604.915.9300
