17 Year Old Violinist Chosen to Perform at 23rd Annual Victoria Symphony Splash

For immediate release July 11, 2012

17 Year Violinist Chosen to Perform at 23^rd Annual Victoria Symphony Splash

Victoria, BC –  At a partner appreciation breakfast held at the Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour on July 11^th,17 year old violinist Eehjoon Kwon was introduced as the 2012 Splash Young Soloist. She is the 21^st Splash Young Soloist chosen to perform in front of 45,000 people with the Victoria Symphony during Victoria Symphony Splash.

Eehjoon Kwon was introduced by former Splash Young Soloists Hugo Wong (2008) and Christine Wong (2009). They took great pride in introducing their friend and fellow musician and reflected on their own experiences as Splash Young Soloists. Eehjoon will be performing the first movement from Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto.

A dedicated musician Eehjoon currently studies violin with Müge Büyükçelen, is a member of the Collegium Program for Gifted Musicians at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, the first Violinist in the Ardente Piano Quintet and is the Concertmaster of the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra. In September Eehjoon begins Grade 11 at Mount Douglas High School.

Victoria Symphony’s Assistant Concertmaster Christi Meyers announced the Victoria Symphony’s concert program.  Highlights include Schifrin’s, Mission Impossible theme, Fucik’s “Entry of the Gladiators”, Tribute to John Williams and the traditional event finale, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture performed with accompanying fireworks, bells and cannons.

Meyers also announced that the concert will include two pieces that celebrate the City of Victoria’s 150^th.  Local composer Tobin Stokes’ Inner Harbour Overture first debuted at Splash in 2008 and has been brought back to commemorate the city’s 150^th. This unique piece celebrates the importance of Victoria’s working harbour and incorporates live sounds, such as the carillon, local church bells and the horn from the Coho Ferry, timed to the music performed by the Victoria Symphony.

The second half of the program will feature the world premiere of “Harmonious Interest,” the final movement of a work commissioned for the Victoria Symphony by Victoria 150 and an anonymous donor through the Victoria Foundation. Composer Chan Ka Nin’s complete work, which celebrates the Chinese immigrant experience and the rich history of Chinatown, will be premiered during the Symphony’s Chinatown Celebration on March 15, 2013.

Victoria Symphony Executive Director Mitchell Krieger thanked the sponsors and event partners of this year’s Splash. He announced that the Victoria Symphony Splash Band of Heroes had raised over $47,000 to date; with 25 days to go, he hoped the number would reach $55,000.

Vivian Chenard from Thrifty Foods reflected on the 19 years that Thrifty Foods has been a part of Victoria Symphony Splash and contributed over $200,000 to the event.  She was pleased that Thrifty Foods will be further assisting the event by selling Splash buttons at all Greater Victoria locations from July 20^th. through to August 4^th. The Splash buttons were introduced in celebration of the 20^th anniversary of Victoria Symphony Splash and are now an annual demonstration of event support. Buttons are available for a minimum donation of $5.00.

The Splash Family Zone is staying open longer this year and will be located at the corner of Belleville and Menzies from 1pm to 5pm. Activities include the VS Instrument Petting Zoo, craft activities, a bouncy castle and live performances featuring Music Corner Ensemble and The Victoria Symphony Brass Quintet.

Last year hundreds of people danced in the street during the inaugural Splash Street Dance. This year The Midnights will be leading the Dance Party beginning at 4pm. Dance instructors from the Arthur Murray School of Dance will be on hand to get the party started.

The 23^rd annual Victoria Symphony Splash takes place on August 5, 2011. From a floating stage in Victoria’s picturesque Inner Harbour, Maestra Tania Miller, the Victoria Symphony, The Midnights, the Canadian Scottish Regiment Pipe and Drum Band, Music Corner Ensemble, Victoria Symphony Brass Quintet and the 2012 Splash Young Soloist Eehjoon Kwon will perform to an enthusiastic crowd of 45,000 people. The day begins at 1pm with activities and live music for families in the Splash Family Zone and ends with Victoria Symphony’s performance of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture at 10pm accompanied by fireworks and cannons.

Victoria Symphony Splash is generously supported by numerous corporate sponsors and public partners including Premiere Sponsors:
Thrifty Foods -Volunteer Sponsor

Wayne Strandlund Family and Fisgard Capital -Symphony in the Summer Presenting Sponsor

Victoria Symphony Band of Heroes

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Event details at www.victoriasymphony.ca

For more information

Bethany Wilson, Director of Marketing & Sales
bethany@victoriasymphony.ca 250.412.7854