Vancouver, Canada (July 3, 2020) — The Vancouver Symphony Orchestral Institute (VSOI) is pleased to announce that it will continue its 6th season, virtually from July 2 to July 16.
The VSOI offers students aged 16 to 28 a once-in-a-lifetime comprehensive and nurturing orchestral training program. The faculty is comprised of musicians from the renowned Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of VSO Music Director, Maestro Otto Tausk.
“Especially now the world needs music to stay connected and empower us with hope, comfort, and optimism,” said Maestro Tausk. “We have to keep moving forward and invest more than ever in music education to keep building future generations of musicians and music lovers. We need music and inspirational musicians because art – and perhaps music in particular – is the ultimate form of hope.”
In previous seasons, students would play in the Institute Orchestra, rehearse and perform in chamber ensembles, and participate in masterclasses and repertoire classes with our outstanding faculty and stay in residence during the VSOI for a series of concerts.
This year, in its 6th season, the VSOI will go fully virtual and continue to offer this valuable orchestral training program to a global student body from July 2 to July 16.
Fifty students from all over the world, including Canada, USA, UK, Australia, Singapore, and Kazakhstan were selected to participate in this year’s new VSOI online format.
Students will have between one to three hours of programming on most days during the two-week timeframe and schedules will take into account the time zones of where the students are located to encourage the participation of the international applicants.
Highlights of the Virtual VSOI program include:
- A series of masterclasses in which every student will be given an opportunity to perform
- An exciting line-up of webinars on a variety of topics including daily practice, performance practice, career development, musician health and wellness, repertoire, and instrument-specific topics
- A Q&A and chat session with VSO Music Director Otto Tausk on July 9
- A virtual learning session and masterclass with special guest artist James Ehnes on July 14
- An opportunity to participate in virtual chamber ensembles with other student musicians
- An option for private lessons with faculty
- An invitation to participate in our VSOI Global Orchestra: a video compilation of short performances and greetings from current students and VSOI alumni around the world as well as our faculty
- Webinars will cover a variety of interesting topics ranging from dealing with performance anxiety, to orchestral etiquette, preparing for auditions, mock auditions, virtual yoga, and “Ask Us Anything” featuring a panel of 8 faculty members.
- Virtual VSO @ Home performances, Livestream Q&A with VSO musicians, access to the VSO Virtual Learning Hub, and other virtual VSO activities this summer
For more information on the VSOI, visit https://www.vancouversymphony.ca/orchestral-institute/ and to access VSO@Home, please visit www.VSOatHome.ca.
About the Vancouver Symphony Orchestral Institute
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestral Institute (VSOI) offers students aged 16-28 a once-in-a-lifetime comprehensive and nurturing orchestral training program. Our faculty is comprised of musicians from the renowned Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of VSO Music Director, Maestro Otto Tausk. Musical opportunities abound, as all of our students play in the Institute Orchestra, rehearse and perform in chamber ensembles, and participate in masterclasses and repertoire classes with our outstanding faculty. The VSOI offers fantastic performance opportunities including student and faculty recitals, a concerto competition, as well as chamber music performances in truly unique settings. The entire Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is in residence during the VSOI for a series of concerts. Students can observe rehearsals from a seat on-stage and enjoy relaxing concerts after a great day of music-making. The VSOI culminates with indoor and outdoor performances by the Institute Orchestra in iconic Vancouver settings including the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at the University of British Columbia, one of Canada’s finest concert halls.
About the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Founded in 1919, the Grammy and Juno-award winning Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is one of the largest arts organizations in Western Canada, Canada’s third-largest orchestra, and one of the few orchestras in North America to have its own music school. The VSO and Music Director Maestro Otto Tausk celebrated the orchestra’s 100th anniversary season in 2018-2019.
The mission of the VSO is to create, curate, and connect irresistible musical experiences. The VSO fulfills its mission by presenting passionate, high-quality performances of classical, popular, and culturally diverse music; creating meaningful engagement with audiences of all ages and backgrounds; and developing and delivering inspirational education and community programs. Performing more than 150 concerts per year throughout Vancouver, the surrounding communities, and the province of British Columbia, the VSO serves over 270,000 patrons annually, including 50,000 children and young adults. The VSO has an operating budget of $18 million, 104 full-time employees (70 musicians and 34 staff), and is governed by a 21-member board of directors.
