Education & Outreach

The Victoria Symphony believes that music is an integral part of a well-rounded education and is vital to the emotional and intellectual development of youth. The Victoria Symphony offers a variety of programs which are innovative, entertaining, educational and widely accessible. The 2012/13 education flyer will be available for download soon.

School Programs

Education and Outreach Concerts

Designed for students grade K to 7, these concerts expose students to the wonders of live classical music. Each year, the Victoria Symphony performs for over 6,800 elementary students on Vancouver Island.

Musicians in Schools

Musicians in Schools aims to introduce students to different instruments, musical styles and give them a glimpse into the world of our hard-working musicians.

Master Classes

As part of our Musicians In Schools Outreach Program, the Victoria Symphony is pleased to offer the Master Classes program.  Now in its second year, nine Victoria Symphony musicians have been paired with music classes in the Greater Victoria area:
Alex Olson, double bass: Spectrum Secondary School
Kay Cochran, viola: Cedarhill Middle School
Martin Bonham, cello: Oak Bay Secondary School
Paul Beauchesne, tuba: Monterey Middle School
Ryan Cole, trumpet: Bayside Middle School
Bob Fraser, trombone: Bayside Middle School
Christine Prince, violin: Lambrick Park Secondary School
Brian Yoon, cello: Mount Douglas Secondary School
Allison Cregg, violin: Oak Bay Secondary School

Open Rehearsals for Middle and High Schools

A unique opportunity to have a behind-the-scenes look at how orchestra musicians, conductors and guest performers prepare for their performance and for students to experience the orchestra in a more informal and relaxed atmosphere.

Community Programs

Instrument Petting Zoo

From violins to trumpets, the Instrument Petting Zoo engages and inspires thousands of young children in a fun and interactive way.

vsNEW Exploration Workshops

This program encourages young composers to create new and exciting music.

vsYOUTH Volunteers

Do you love music? Do you love working with kids? Combine the two, and join vsYOUTH!

Young Performers

The Victoria Symphony is committed to music education and gives young soloists the opportunity to perform live with the orchestra.

In the Community

The Victoria Symphony is an active and vital part of the community in Victoria and on Vancouver Island.

Victoria Symphony Splash

Each year the Victoria Symphony puts on the largest annual outdoor symphony event in Canada, attracting up to 40,000 Victoria residents and visitors. Over 400 volunteers are recruited and local businesses and arts groups support the event as vendors and entertainment.

Free Outdoor Concerts

The Victoria Symphony presents a number of free outdoor concerts during its annual Symphony in the Summer festival. Enjoy the music in various locations around the city including Market Square, Centennial Square, Beacon Hill Park and the Inner Harbour.

Speaker’s Bureau

Looking for a keynote speaker for your next event, corporate retreat or business meeting? Invite Music Director Tania Miller, Concertmaster Terance Tam, or any other of our passionate Victoria Symphony artists to complete your event!

Resident Orchestra

The Victoria Symphony orchestra is the resident orchestra for Pacific Opera Victoria. You will also hear them perform each year at The Nutcracker Ballet.

Local Music Ensembles & Faculty Members

The individual members of the Victoria Symphony are very active in separate musical ensembles such as The Emily Carr String Quartet, the Aventa Ensemble, the Galiano Ensemble, and the Victoria Music Corner Ensemble. Our orchestra members are also committed to music education and can be found teaching around the city and as faculty members of the Victoria Conservatory of Music.

Volunteers

Our volunteers and vsYOUTH Volunteers are our ongoing ambassadors to the Victoria Symphony. Whether they are raising funds for the Symphony or putting on Instrument Petting Zoos for the community, they are committed to enriching lives through the shared experience of live music. The Victoria Symphony is always looking for new and enthusiastic volunteers to join our team.