Media Room
Welcome to the media room. For general media queries and interview requests, please contact:
Bethany Wilson
Director of Marketing
250.385.9771 x 233
bethany@victoriasymphony.ca
6/11/2008
15 year old pianist Hugo Wong selected as the young soloist to perform for 40,000 people during the 2008 Bayview Residences Victoria Symphony Splash
Victoria, BC – On August 3rd, 2008, over 40,000 people will hear 15 year old Hugo Wong perform the first movement from Schumann's Piano Concerto with the Victoria Symphony during the 19th annual Bayview Residences Victoria Symphony Splash. Wong was selected from a field of 22 very talented young performers who auditioned in a taped round, from those 11 were subsequently selected to audition live for Music Director Tania Miller.
“Performing with others is something that I enjoy a lot. There's something about the collaboration that really appeals to me. Doing that outside with such an enormous crowd makes it that much better. It's an honour to have been selected, and I'm really looking forward to it!" exuded Hugo Wong after being told he had been selected to perform at Bayview Residences Victoria Symphony Splash
The Victoria Symphony has included some outstanding performances by young people in the community over the years and this year’s live auditions featured 11 very talented applicants. Last year the talent pool was so extraordinary that Music Director Tania Miller selected three young soloists to perform. This year the group was equally talented however Hugo Wong was the stand out among the soloists who auditioned. He performed the first movement from Schumann’s Concerto in A Minor.
“I enjoyed this year's Splash auditions immensely and was treated to consistent excellence from this city's youth. It was a strong year for auditions.
Hugo Wong captured me with his ability to completely give himself over to the music and his enormous technical facility for a boy of his young 15 years of age. I have heard Hugo Wong audition for Splash for several years now, and this year he stood out in achieving a new level for himself which is quite extraordinary. The time is right for him to be featured as our Splash soloist for 2008 and for our audiences to hear his wonderful gift for expressing music.” remarked Music Director Tania Miller.
The performance by a young soloist has always been an integral part of Bayview Residences Victoria Symphony Splash. The annual auditions and young soloist performance demonstrate that Victoria has no shortage of exceptional young talent. The Victoria Symphony, as part of is annual BC day long weekend performance, is thrilled to continue to feature the incredibly talented, classically-trained young musicians in the community.
This year’s young soloist will appear thanks to the on-going support of the Leslie and Murray Glazier Victoria Symphony Young Musicians Fund.
Hugo Wong began playing piano at the age of 4. Now 15 and a ninth grader at Mount Douglas Highschool, Hugo is currently studying at the Victoria Conservatory of Music with Ingrid Henderson. In 2008 he performed with the Victoria Symphony during the 3rd Young Musicians Concerto Showcase. In 2006 he performed with the Victoria Symphony and at the Victoria Conservatory of Music Mozart@250 Festival in 2005. Hugo received the BCRMTA 2007 Alumni highest mark award for Victoria in the RCM Toronto Conservatory grade 10 piano exams and Victoria Conservatory of Music grade 10 piano exam with 95%. He has many awards in the Victoria Performing Arts Festival including the 2008 Romantic Award and the Senior Nathan Geminiano Memorial Cup for most distinguished piano performer and this year represented Victoria at the Provincial Festival.
Tania Miller’s reputation as a consummate musician, leader, and communicator has grown rapidly in today’s orchestral scene. Maestra Miller was the youngest current music director of a major Canadian orchestra and the first Canadian woman to be appointed to such a significant position in Canada. The 2008-2009 season will mark Maestra Miller's sixth season as music director of the Victoria Symphony Orchestra.
The Victoria Symphony is Vancouver Island’s largest and most active arts organization offering its audiences 67 years of tradition, a commitment to fostering new music and a dedication to community involvement through music education. Showcasing the outstanding talents of its musicians and guest artists the Victoria Symphony’s 2008-2009 season offers a diverse and exciting line-up of over 50 concerts led by its vibrant Music Director
Tania Miller.
Bayview Residences is part of a 20-acre hilltop community being created on Victoria’s Inner Harbour. When completed, this Urban Resort Community will include residential towers as well as retail and commercial services as part of the revitalized CPR Roundhouse – a designated National Historic Site. Bayview Residences offers spacious one, two and three bedroom residences with exceptional interior design and attention to detail. The community’s Amenity Clubhouse will feature squash and tennis courts, gym facilities, lap pool and cafe. Bayview is a strong supporter of the community, sponsoring numerous national and local events including the Canadian National Junior Squash Championships and the annual Bayview Residences Victoria Symphony Splash. For further details, visit the on-site presentation centre at 80 Saghalie Road or www.bayviewresidences.com.
Each year, the Victoria Symphony performs on Sunday of the BC Day long weekend from a floating stage in Victoria’s picturesque Inner Harbour. Bayview Residences Victoria Symphony Splash is recognized as one of North America’s most popular and successful outdoor family, cultural and community events, attracting upwards of 40,000 people. Admission is by donation.
For more information, please visit www.victoriasymphony.ca
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For more information or interview requests contact:
Bethany Wilson
Director of Marketing
bethany@victoriasymphony.ca
Ph: (250) 385-9771 ext 233
Recent News Articles
7/7/2010
Victoria Symphony Splash 2010 Salutes The Navy!
Victoria, BC – Details of the Victoria Symphony Splash, including the theme for 2010, Splash Young Soloist and new additions to the event were announced this morning in the ballroom of the Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour.
6/29/2010
New Victoria Symphony Splash fundraiser generates $50,000 for event
Victoria, BC - On June 29th, 2010 the Victoria Symphony announced that its new fundraising initiative, titled Victoria Symphony Splash Band of Heroes, has generated $50,000 in new support for the city’s marquee event of the summer.
5/26/2010
Public invited to design Special Edition Symphony Splash T-Shirt
Victoria, BC – On May 26, 2010, the Victoria Symphony announced that it would be producing a special limited edition T-shirt for Victoria Symphony Splash 2010 based on the winning design of The Splashy White T-shirt Contest. The contest is open to everyone who has the ability to create a T-shirt design meeting required specifications. These T-shirts will be sold to the public to commemorate Symphony Splash with proceeds benefitting the event.
4/1/2010
Parade of Artists reveal the Victoria Symphony’s spectacular 70th Concert Season
Victoria, BC – On Wednesday March 31 Music Director Tania Miller and members of the orchestra and artistic team unveiled the Victoria Symphony’s new season of concerts for 20010/11. Highlights include soloists such as acclaimed pianist André Laplante, masterworks such as Bach’s six Brandenburg Concertos and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto no. 2, special appearances by The Nylons, the Canadian Tenors, and Cirque de la Symphonie, and the loveable Concert for Kids The Snowman and The Bear.
3/26/2010
© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist By Kevin Bazzana The recording of Glenn Gould performing Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto with the Victoria Symphony and conductor Hans Gruber in 1955 at the Glenn Gould Archives in Ottawa, part of the Library and Archives Canada.
3/23/2010
Victoria, BC – On April 1, 2, and 3 the Victoria Symphony and students from the Canadian College of Performing Arts bring Tony Award-winning musicals including Guys and Dolls, West Side Story, and Wicked to life at the Royal Theatre in Broadway Brilliance.
1/11/2010
The Victoria Symphony rolls out the red carpet for A Night at the Oscars
Victoria, BC – On January 14, 15 & 16, Regina Symphony Orchestra’s Music Director Victor Sawa conducts Oscar-winning music with the Victoria Symphony at the Royal Theatre. Symphony goers will walk the red carpet as they make their way into the theatre for a glamorous evening of music from movies such as Lawrence of Arabia, Psycho, The Way We Where and Jaws.
12/24/2009
Victoria Symphony kicks off the New Year with an extravaganza of music, song and dance.
Victoria, BC – On January 1, at the Royal Theatre, the Victoria Symphony presents A Viennese New Year’s with Maestro Brian Jackson, Ballet Victoria and guest soloists. This new production is inspired by the worldwide Viennese tradition of lively and nostalgic melodies and beautiful waltzes.
12/14/2009
Michael Kaeshammer makes orchestral debut with the Victoria Symphony
Victoria, BC – On December 19, at the Royal Theatre, charismatic jazz sensation Michael Kaeshammer makes his orchestral debut with the Victoria Symphony. Performing uniquely stylized Christmas favourites and songs from his latest album lovelight, this concert provides a brilliant and broad range of entertainment.
11/19/2009
Tania Miller signs with Victoria Symphony for another 3 years
Victoria, BC – Music Director Tania Miller has renewed her contract with the Victoria Symphony for another three years. Beginning immediately this contract will extend to 2013 bringing her to a total of 10 years as Music Director of Vancouver Island’s largest performing arts organization
10/23/2009
Victoria Symphony awarded asteroid for contributions during IYA2009
Victoria, BC – On November 1 and 2, at the Royal Theatre, the Victoria Symphony will be presented a certificate of the discovery and naming of an asteroid during The Planets concerts. This asteroid, VicSympho, was named in recognition for the Victoria Symphony’s strong contributions towards music and science education during the International Year of Astronomy.
10/13/2009
Nikki Chooi makes debut performance on $4.3M violin with the Victoria Symphony
Victoria, BC – On October 19 at the Royal Theatre, Nikki Chooi, winner of the use of a 1729 Guarneri del Gesù, debuts the historic instrument with the Victoria Symphony. This concert, Dvořák Symphony no. 8, conducted by Alain Trudel, features Nikki Chooi performing Saint-Saëns’ violin concerto.
9/24/2009
City Lights starring Charlie Chaplin screened with live performance of original score
On October 9 at UVic Centre Farquhar Auditorium, the comedic adventures of Charlie Chaplin’s 1931 silent film, City Lights, will be shown with live orchestral accompaniment by the Victoria Symphony. The presentation also features a special introduction by actor and artist Duncan Regehr and a Chaplin Look-a-like contest.
9/9/2009
Victoria Symphony Heightens Its Beltone Pops Experience
On September 17, 18, and 19, international vocal quintet Five By Design opens the Beltone Pops Series with Swingin’ and Singin’. This season, the Pops guarantees big band sound, bigger performances, and the biggest pops experience the Victoria Symphony has produced.
8/12/2009
2009/10 Symphony Tickets on Sale Now!
Victoria, BC - On Monday, August 17th, tickets for the Victoria Symphony’s 2009/2010 concerts go on sale to the public. To enhance and complement the concert experience, the Victoria Symphony is creating great concert experiences and value-added opportunities for its audience this season. Preconcert talks, post concert talkbacks with the artists, costume contests, Instrument Petting Zoos and lobby performances are all a part of the new season.
4/7/2009
Grammy-award winner James Ehnes headlines new season!
Victoria, BC – On Friday, March 27, Music Director Tania Miller unveiled the Victoria Symphony’s new season of concerts for 2009/10. Highlights include performances by acclaimed violinist James Ehnes, jazz vocalist Michael Kaeshammer and masterworks such as Holst’s The Planets, Bach’s Magnificat and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto no. 3.
1/27/2009
The Victoria Symphony names Mitchell Krieger to serve as Executive Director
Victoria, BC – The Victoria Symphony Society has named Mitchell Krieger to serve as the organization’s executive director.
8/7/2008
Resignation of Executive Director, Marcus Handman
Victoria, BC – The Victoria Symphony Society today announced that executive director Marcus Handman will leave his current position. Mr. Handman, who joined the Victoria Symphony in 2004, will remain in his role until October 24.
6/11/2008
Victoria, BC – On August 3rd, 2008, over 40,000 people will hear 15 year old Hugo Wong perform the first movement from Schumann's Piano Concerto with the Victoria Symphony during the 19th annual Bayview Residences Victoria Symphony Splash. Wong was selected from a field of 22 very talented young performers who auditioned in a taped round, from those 11 were subsequently selected to audition live for Music Director Tania Miller.
3/7/2008
Victoria (BC) – Last night, March 6th, at the Royal Theatre, the Victoria Symphony’s Music Director, Tania Miller revealed the exciting and diverse line-up of 32 different concerts for the 2008/2009 season to a keenly interested audience of 350 people. The evening included an enthralling 20 minute presentation by the dynamic Miller, followed by a reception and then a rare behind the scenes look at a Victoria Symphony concert in the making.
One Night Only - Mariachi Live! with the Victoria Symphony
Victoria, BC – On Saturday, March 13, Mariachi Del Sol reunites with the Victoria Symphony for a passionate and rhythmic live performance at UVic Centre. This 10-member band, fully dressed in charro costumes, will ignite the evening with classical panache, from soft romantic ballads to lively ranchero songs.
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