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VANCOUVER – The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) will represent Canada at the Beijing Music Festival in October, thanks in part to a $250,000 community gaming grant, Solicitor General John Les has announced.
“For decades, performances by the Symphony have thrilled and inspired hundreds of thousands of music lovers in the Lower Mainland and millions more across Canada through radio and television broadcasts,” said Les. “This grant will support the VSO as they travel to the Asia-Pacific, showcase their exceptional musical talent and serve as ambassadors as British Columbia prepares to host the world in 2010.”
The VSO Society was founded in 1919 by a small group of citizens who were eager for Vancouver to have its own professional orchestra. It has since grown to be the third-largest symphony orchestra in Canada; last season, it delivered over 150 concerts featuring more than 60 celebrated guest artists. Last year, over 200,000 people enjoyed its powerful performances and educational and community music programs, including more than 50,000 students.
“The orchestra enhances the quality of life in our province by presenting high-quality classical and popular music performances and educational activities for diverse audiences,” said Vancouver-Burrard MLA Lorne Mayencourt. “It is clear that the Symphony’s internationally acclaimed status has resulted in the tremendous honour of being the first Canadian symphony orchestra, in 30 years, to be invited to perform in China.”
The Beijing Music Festival has become one of the best known and most prestigious events in the world, with 30 concerts and more than 1,000 international musicians. The orchestra plans to perform in Beijing, Guangzhou (Vancouver’s sister city), Shanghai and Suzhou (Victoria’s sister city) in China. Concerts are also planned for Seongnam in South Korea, and the Special Administrative Region of Macau. All tour concerts will be conducted by Bramwell Tovey, the VSO’s music director.
“On behalf of the musicians, board of directors and staff of the VSO I would like to thank the Province of B.C. for supporting this very important opportunity,” said Tovey. “The invitations we have received acknowledge the VSO’s standing in the international music community and the special friendships that exist between our countries.”
“We are extremely grateful to the provincial government for helping to make this exciting tour a reality,” said Jeff Alexander, president and CEO of the society. “These performances in Asia will create a lasting benefit for our province by bringing an international focus to the cultural and artistic tapestry of B.C.”
Funding
for this grant is part of the $147.6 million in gaming grants that approximately
6,850 community organizations across the province will share this year. For information on how to apply for grants
and other information on how gaming revenue benefits British Columbians, please
visit www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/gaming/ online.
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contact: |
Communications Officer Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch 250 952-6652 |
Public Relations Associate Vancouver Symphony Orchestra 604 684-9100 ext. 266 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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