Victoria Symphony Splash

#splash2019

O Canada

Roman Carnival Overture – Berlioz

Carmen (Prelude, Intermezzo, Toreador) – Bizet

Adagio from Spartacus – Khatchaturian

Concerto in G Major (mvt. 1) – Ravel

Capriccio Espagnol (mvts. 3, 4, 5) – Rimsky-Korsakov

Ritual Fire Dance from El amor brujo – de Falla

INTERMISSION

Cuban Overture – Gershwin

Libertango – Piazzolla

Malambo from Estancia Dances – Ginastera

Berliner Luft – Lincke

1812 Overture – Tchaikovsky

Amazing Grace

The opening act is the Naden Band at 4:00 pm on the barge.

Carey Wang, piano

Carey is a grade nine student at Oak Bay High school. He began studying piano at age four and by late 2015, he began studying with May Ling Kwok at the Victoria Conservatory of Music (VCM).

Carey has won numerous awards from Richmond Music, Vancouver Kiwanis, Pacific International Youth Piano, and Greater Victoria festivals. In 2016 he received the Nathan Gemianiano Cup and Award, and in 2018 he received the Silver Medallion Award in the Greater Victoria Festival. He has since been selected as a representative of GVPAF for the Provincial Performing Arts Festival for three consecutive years and received the Junior Canadian Piano award in 2018. Additionally, he will be participating in the Senior Collegium program at VCM in the following year.

Moreover, Carey was a finalist in the Don Chrysler Concerto Competition in 2017 and a semi-finalist of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra Manulife competition in 2018.  He was also selected as a soloist at the Spark to Flame concert in 2018.

Outside of his musical studies, he enjoys participating and helping numerous music programs, classes, and extracurricular at school. He also enjoys exploring, hanging out with his family, and oddly enough, doing homework.

The Victoria Symphony launched its first Symphony Splash in celebration of its 50th Anniversary. Thousands of people showed up at the Inner Harbour to watch the orchestra play on a barge moored off shore. And they have been coming ever since, in greater and greater numbers.

The leaders of the organization at the time were Board President Murray Glazier, General Manager C. Stephen Smith and Music Director Peter McCoppin.

The following year donation barrels were set up and staffed by volunteers. In 1992 organizers arranged for a larger barge and a better sound system and, by 1993, concrete pilings were installed in the harbour to provide permanent moorage for the Splash barge.

Splash is now one of the largest annual symphony events in North America. The event attracts up to 40,000 Victoria residents and visitors, and over 400 volunteers contribute to its goal of brining the symphony to the people.

Each year a young soloist is chosen to perform with the Victoria Symphony, a tradition that began in 1994 and to this day is supported by the Leslie and Murray Glazier Young Musicians Fund.

2014 marks the 25th anniversary of this great community event. Throughout the years, the event has continued to grow and improve. There have been a myriad of sensational acts, countless successes and overwhelming support from the generous community of Victoria.

Moments in History

1994 – The tradition of the Splash young soloist is commenced with violinist Timothy Haig through the support of the Leslie and Murray Glazier Young Musician’s Fund.
1995 – Splash is postponed due to torrential rain showers and is rescheduled for a later show in August on Belleville Street.
2003 – Tania Miller’s debut as Splash conductor.
2005 – Maestro Giuseppe Pietraroia steps in to save Splash when an expectant Maestra Tania Miller delivers her first child a few days earlier than anticipated!
2006 – The only year anyone actually made a ‘splash.” One of the pipers, in full regalia, accidentally stepped off the barge at the end of the show. Although he was pulled quickly out of the water, the band still jokes about the “piper down!” cries that were heard from the crowd!
2009 – The orchestra parade is added giving Tania Miller, the young soloist, and the musicians the grand entrance they deserve.
2017 – Maestro Christian Kluxen conducts his 1st Victoria Symphony Splash.

2018: Danielle Tsao, viola
2017: Felipe Jiang, piano, Ryan Howland, violin
2016: Alyssa Fu, piano, Nelly Tian, violin, Tovin Allers, violin
2015: Ben Parker, trumpet, Rebecca Bracewell, accordion
2014: Eric Lin, piano
2013: Eric Manning, piano, Carter Johnson, piano
2012: Eehjoon Kwon, violin
2011: Alice Haekyo Lee, violin
2010: Grace Ma, piano, Phillip Manning, violin
2009: Christine Wong, piano, Josh Lovell, tenor
2008: Hugo Wong, piano
2007: Carolyn Tsao, piano, Sahara Sloan, voice, Timmy Chooi, violin
2006: Kevin O’Riordon, violin
2005: Heather Mcleod, voice
2004: Jordan Ofiesh, violin
2003: Justin Chiu, piano
2002: Chika Card, piano
2001: Nikki Chooi, violin
2000: Margit Juhasz, piano
1999: Caitlin Tully, violin
1998: Samuel Seong, piano
1997: Audrey Bild, piano
1996: Anthony Dolhai, piano
1995: Anthony Dolhai, piano (scheduled, but didn’t play)
1994: Timothy Haig, violin

July 4, 2019

Victoria Symphony Celebrates 30^th Annual Victoria Symphony Splash!

Victoria, BC – August 4^th, 2019 marks the 30^th anniversary of the Victoria Symphony Splash! Three decades ago, the Victoria Symphony cobbled together a concert on the water in front of a few thousand people. Thirty years later, over 40,000 people enjoy Victoria’s iconic waterfront concert, Victoria Symphony Splash.

“Victoria Symphony Splash is a marquee event in the Victoria summer. We’re thrilled to see the continued support of the business community and government partners to help make the event a reality,” said Kathryn Laurin, CEO. “Without their support, this event doesn’t happen. We’ve seen plenty of changes over the past thirty years, but the essence of Victoria Symphony Splash remains the same: sharing extraordinary live music with our own community.”

Here’s a sneak peek to this year’s Splash!

This year’s mega event is the third VS Splash for current Music Director Maestro Christian Kluxen. Featured guests include 15 year-old pianist Carey Wang and the Naden Band as the opening act.

“It’s all about rhythm this year,” said Music Director Christian Kluxen. “The first half features a Mediterranean/Spanish feeling infused with the dance rhythms of Roman Carnival Overture, Capriccio Espagnol along with selections from Bizet’s Carmen. The second half moves south to the infectious rhythms of Central and South American with upbeat Cuban and Argentinian music. And of course, no Victoria Symphony Splash would be complete without Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.”

The VS is excited to welcome Redcliffe & Company as our new Presenting Sponsor. Offering traditional brokerage and fee-for-service consulting to employers and individuals in both the public and private sectors, Redcliffe & Co. has come on board to share their passion for community and the arts.

Other businesses including TD, GVHA and BCLC are Premiere Sponsors. Coast Capital Insurance has come on board as Education and Outreach Sponsor and Parc Retirement Living is sponsoring Facebook Live Stream.  Ralmax, Seaspan, Slegg, Northern Lights Estate Winery, DVBA and Lighthouse Brewing Company have stepped in as Community Sponsors. Once again, a collection of local businesses have also supported the Band of Heroes program, contributing $1,000 each to make VS Splash a reality.

The events kick off at 12 pm with the Albert Head Cadets performing on the Legislature steps. The popular Family Zone runs 1 pm – 4 pm where kids can try playing a musical instrument, jump around in Richardson Sports’ bouncy castle or do an Aztec themed activity prepared by the Royal BC Museum, and interact with Tickles the Clown! TD is this year’s Family Zone sponsor and is inviting people to visit their booth for games and prizes.

The Beverage Garden, operated by Lighthouse Brewery, opens at 3 pm. The Culinary Corner with food vendors will be set up along Government Street starting at 3 pm serving everything from pizza to Mexican, crepes, Greek food, ice cream, donuts and more.

Starting at 4 pm, the Navy’s Naden Band, will play on the new 165’ barge. At 7:30 pm Maestro Christian Kluxen and the Victoria Symphony take the stage to play a fun concert featuring Carey Wang, the Young Soloist, and a wonderfully eclectic collection of some of the best orchestral music out there.

For the third year running, the VS will be livestreaming the concert through Facebook, providing the opportunity for people from around the world (or right here in Victoria) to enjoy the beautifully unique experience that is Victoria Symphony Splash.

The August 4th event is the 30th Annual Victoria Symphony Splash and is expected to draw crowds of more than 40,000. The event is by donation and relies on the support of concert goers to continue. Supporters can throw some money into the many donation barrels on site or support the event by purchasing food from our vendors or merchandise from our sales tents. Special buttons are given for donations of $5 or more. You can also text Splash to 30222 and $5 will be added to your phone bill.

While many people bring their own chairs or picnics or boats, a limited number of seats are available on our Grandstand. These guaranteed seats mean you can come and go without worrying you’ll lose your spot, and help raise funds for the event. For details, call the Victoria Symphony Box Office at 250.385.6515.

The Victoria Symphony is also looking for more volunteers to help with the event. If you’re interested in being a part of this year’s 30^th Anniversary celebration, call 250.385.6515 or visit victoriasyphony.ca

The 30^th annual Victoria Symphony Splash takes place on August 4th. From the floating stage in Victoria’s picturesque Inner Harbour, Maestro Christian Kluxen, the Victoria Symphony, Naden Band and 2019 Splash Young Soloist Carey Wang will perform to an enthusiastic crowd of 40,000 people. The day begins at 1 pm with activities for families in the Splash Family Zone and ends with Victoria Symphony’s performance of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” accompanied by fireworks and field guns.

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For more information, contact:

Jill Smillie, Director of Marketing

[email protected] 250.412.1986