Victoria Symphony Splash

On Sunday, August 5, 2018, tens of thousands of people will take to Victoria’s Inner Harbour for the 29th annual Victoria Symphony Splash. From a floating stage in the Inner Harbour, the VS orchestra and special guests will perform, ending with a grand finale performance of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture – with fireworks of course!

Apply Now!

Splash Young Soloist

Are you under 18 years old and a budding musician? Be a part of this year’s Victoria Symphony Splash!

The VS is thrilled to offer a young musician or musicians the chance to perform on the floating barge in front of 40,000 people with Maestro Kluxen and the Victoria Symphony!

Apply now to become this year’s Splash Young Soloist! Application deadline is April 30, 2018.

Auditions will take place on May 19 and 20 at the Victoria Conservatory of Music.

For more information, please contact [email protected].

“The most memorable part of Victoria Symphony Splash had to be either the view from the stage or the applause, not to mention the tens of thousands of people watching. This all made for a very memorable performance. The applause afterwards is staggering. Forty thousand pairs of hands do make quite a sound. You can feel the energy right on stage, from the audience and from your fellow musicians on stage with you.”
Hugo Wong, Splash Young Soloist (2008)

Be a part of Splash!

Volunteer at Splash!

Splash simply cannot happen without its team of wonderful volunteers, so each year we recruit over 350 volunteers to help ensure that our event runs smoothly. We need you for a variety of tasks leading up to and during the day.

Benefits of Volunteering at Victoria Symphony Splash

– Be part of one of the largest outdoor orchestral events in North America and one of Vancouver Island’s signature summer events!
– Give back to your community and be part of a fantastic team!
– Support the Victoria Symphony, Vancouver Island’s largest arts organization
– Meet new and interesting people while you hear wonderful music in a spectacular setting
– Get a Splash volunteer t-shirt and invitation to the Splash Volunteer after-party in August
– Receive a ticket voucher for a concert in the Victoria Symphony’s 2018/19 season

For more information about volunteering at Splash, please click here.

Thank you!

Event Information

What is Victoria Symphony Splash?

Victoria Symphony Splash is an annual Victoria Symphony event that takes place on a floating stage moored in Victoria’s Inner Harbour. It includes musical entertainment, food, souvenirs and the evening’s highlight: a live performance by the Victoria Symphony. Splash is now one of the largest annual symphony events in North America, attracting up to 40,000 Victoria residents and visitors from all over the world, some who visit Victoria just to see Splash! Over 400 volunteers help to bring the event to the community.

Want to volunteer?

Volunteer at Splash!

Splash simply cannot happen without its team of wonderful volunteers, each year we recruit over 300 volunteers to help ensure that our event runs smoothly. We need you for a variety of tasks leading up to and during the day.

Benefits of Volunteering at Symphony Splash

If you’d like to join us, please visit this page in May 2018 to fill out the volunteer application form and our Volunteer Coordinator, Taryn Craig, will be in touch.

The minimum age for volunteering at Splash is 16. If you are younger than 18, we’ll need permission from a parent or guardian before we can let you volunteer. Some volunteer positions require a criminal record check – Della will let you know if your position requires this.

All volunteers are required to attend a brief orientation meeting during the last week in July/first week of August. Once we know which team you’ll be working with, we can let you know when your orientation session will be.

Splash Volunteer Orientations will be on July 31, August 1 and August 2 from 6 pm – 9 pm at Cook Street Village Activity Centre.

Thank you!

What kind of music does the orchestra play?

The music performed is a mix of classical and popular selections and one (or two) talented young soloists are featured each year. The concert concludes with a performance of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, complete with navy field guns and fireworks.

What time does Splash begin?

Many people arrive early to ensure they have a good view of the barge for the orchestra performance at 7:30 pm.

1:00 – 4:00 pm – The TD Family Zone is open on the Fairmont Empress lawn.

3:00 pm – The Beverage Garden and Culinary Corner open.

4:00 pm – The opening act performs on the barge in the Inner Harbour.

6:20 pm – The orchestra parade.

7:30 pm – Maestro Kluxen and the Victoria Symphony.

10:00 pm – Splash concludes.

Beverage Garden

We are thrilled to have Lighthouse Brewing serving been and wine inside our family friendly beverage garden located on Belleville St. between the Fairmont Empress and Royal BC Museum.

The beverage garden will be open from 3:00 – 9:30 pm.

What is the admission?

Victoria Symphony Splash is a “by donation” event produced entirely by the Victoria Symphony. While we do receive support from generous sponsors and “heroes,” we ask that you donate $5 per person to make this event a reality. Every $5 donation will receive a Splash Button which you can wear proudly to show your support for the Symphony. You’ll find volunteers with donation buckets roaming the crowds or you can track down one of our donation barrels. All proceeds go to support the Victoria Symphony’s artistic and education programs.

What should I bring?

You may want to bring a folding chair, or a blanket if you plan to sit on the Legislature lawn. If you do bring a chair, please observe all posted signs and roped-off areas. The wind off the water can be chilly after sunset, so bring a sweater or wrap. Please be advised that sunscreen and hats are recommended for sun protection and water to keep you hydrated! Chairs will not be allowed to be set up before 8:00 am on August 5.

What amenities are available?

Food and beverage vendors are located on Government Street next to the Royal BC Museum. A percentage of sales is donated to the Victoria Symphony. Portable washrooms are located in easily identified areas and St. John’s Ambulance staff several first-aid stations. Seats on the Grandstand (bleacher-style seating) are available for purchase in advance through the Victoria Symphony Box Office (250.385.6515) starting in June 2017. Grandstand seats remaining on Splash Day can be purchased through the Information and Merchandise tent on site. Blankets, t-shirts, water bottles, and other items are also available for purchase at the merchandise tent on site.

What should I do if I have a physical disability?

We’ve reserved a special area for people with disabilities and their families/friends on the northwest corner of the Empress lawns. The area opens late in the afternoon and is first come, first seated. We also have a wheelchair-accessible portable toilet on Belleville St.

Is it possible to come by boat?

Yes! Small craft owners (kayakers, canoeists) can moor their craft near the barge to listen to the music from the water. The Harbour Master will let you know if your watercraft is too close to the barge.

Concert Program & Soloists

Concert Program

#splash2018 program will be announced in July 2018

#splash2017

O Canada
Maskarade Oveture – Nielsen
Homecoming from Peer Gynt – Grieg
Morning from Peer Gynt – Grieg
In the Hall of the Mountain King from Peer Gynt – Grieg
Piano Concerto No. 21 (last mvt) – Mozart
Symphony No. 2 (last mvt) – Nielsen
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg – Wagner

INTERMISSION

Finlandia – Sibelius
Violin Concerto (last mvt) –Sibelius
Seahawk Suite: Main Title & Freedom – Korngold
Champagne Galop – Lumbye
Berliner Luft – Lincke
1812 Overture – Tchaikovsky
Highland Cathedral
Amazing Grace

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

Young Soloist

2018 Young Soloist(s) will be announced in July 2018

2017 Young Soloists:

Felipe Jiang, piano

Felipe is 8 years old and moved with his family from Argentina to Victoria in June 2014. At age 5, he started piano lessons with his current teacher, Ingrid Henderson at the Victoria Conservatory of Music.

In March 2017, Felipe performed with the Cowichan Consort Orchestra and the Sidney Classical Orchestra. He gave his debut solo recital at Christ Church Cathedral in 2016 and invited to give another recital July 8th. He will also give a recital at the Victoria Piano Summer School July 3^rd at the UVIC Philip T. Young auditorium.

Felipe performs frequently in the community including many fundraising concerts. He competed at the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival for the past two years winning many awards including the prestigious Nathan Geminiano Cup for outstanding musicianship in the senior piano category. In addition, he was chosen to represent Victoria at the BC Provincials.

Felipe feels honoured and very excited to be chosen to play at Symphony Splash 2017.

His love for the piano has led his ambition to become a concert pianist.

Felipe will be playing the final movement of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21.

Ryan Howland, violin

Ryan Howland began studying the violin at the age of 5. He has studied with numerous acclaimed violinists and pedagogues in Europe including Zakhar Bron, Viktor Tretyakov, Maurizio Sciarretta, Ulrich Edelmann, Rudolf Koelman, and Michael van der Sloot. He has performed many recitals in Canada, Taiwan and Europe. Some of his awards include 1st prize in both the Victoria and the BC Provincial Performing Arts Festival in Canada 2015 and 1st prize in the International Grand Prize Virtuoso Competition in London 2015.

He has also received scholarships to partake in the National Young Artists Precollege Program in Ottawa under the direction of Pinchas Zukerman. He plays an Italian violin made by Dom Nicolaus Marchioni in 1735, loaned to him by the Chi Mei Museum in Taiwan. Ryan Howland is also a new young author, having recently published an autobiography, Ryan Howland Musical Awakening, about the first steps of his journey pursuing music to the highest level.

In the Fall of 2017, he will begin his studies at the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts in Germany.

Ryan will be playing the final movement of the Sibelius Violin Concerto.

History

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.

Past Young Soloists

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

Media Releases

July 6, 2017

Victoria Symphony Splash announces 28^th Annual Victoria Symphony Splash!

Victoria, BC – The Victoria Symphony announced details of their 28^th Annual Victoria Symphony Splash this morning through a video released on their website and social media pages by new Music Director Christian Kluxen. Featured guests for the mega event on August 6^th include Naden Band,

Tickles the Clown, the Victoria Symphony and two young soloists, 18 year old violinist Ryan Howland and the youngest soloist in Splash’s history, 8 year old pianist Felipe Jiang.

An excited Maestro Kluxen announced this year’s concert saying: “The music I’ve chosen is really a musical postcard from me to you. Its music from my background and my home to welcome you to celebrate with the Victoria Symphony. There will be some real classics from Denmark, Scandinavia and Germany and I’m sure you will recognize some of them.”

The VS is excited to announce Quality Foods has come on board as Presenting Sponsor. “Having decades of experience providing fireworks set to music here on the island with the Quality Foods Festival of lights annual summer series, Victoria Symphony Splash was a natural fit to put an exclamation on our 35^th anniversary celebrations,” says Noel Hayward, president of Quality Foods. “What we love about this event is that it brings people and families together.”

Other businesses including TD and BCLC are Premiere Sponsors and Splashes, Ralmax, Seaspan, GVHA, Slegg Lumber and Lighthouse Brewing Company have stepped in as Community Sponsors. Once again, a collection of local business have also supported the Band of Heroes program, contributing $1,000 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 where kids can try playing a musical instrument, jump around in SportBall’s bouncy castle or do an activity prepared by the Royal BC Museum. TD is this year’s Family Zone sponsor and is running a passport program for kids to visit the Family Zone activities to receive a prize.

Starting at 4 pm, Victoria’s own Naden Band will perform from the floating stage. At 7:30 pm Maestro Christian Kluxen and the Victoria Symphony take the stage to play a fun concert featuring two young soloists and a wonderfully eclectic collection of some of the best orchestral music out there.

New this year, 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 6th event is the 28th 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.

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 28^th annual Victoria Symphony Splash takes place on August 6^th. From the floating stage in Victoria’s picturesque Inner Harbour, Maestro Christian Kluxen, the Victoria Symphony, Naden Band and 2017 Splash Young Soloists Felipe Jiang and Ryan Howland 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” at 9:45 pm accompanied by fireworks and field guns.

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Event details at victoriasymphony.ca

For more information, contact:

Jill Smillie, Director of Marketing

[email protected] 250.412.1986

Family Zone

The Splash Family Zone will feature plenty of activities for the entire family! It’s on the lawns of the Empress Hotel from 1 pm – 4 pm.

Activities include:

Face painting
Instrument petting zoo
An activity with the Royal BC Museum
Games and activities with Sportball
Bouncy Castle
Victoria Symphony Craft
Musical performances

Sponsors

Victoria Symphony Splash could not survive without the support of local businesses. This by-donation, family-friendly event is attended by over 45,000 locals and visitors. Victoria Symphony Splash is not only an important cultural event in Victoria, it’s also an economic booster. Each year on the day Splash is held, the City of Victoria is injected with over $1.2 million in economic activity.

There are many ways to contribute to Splash: become a “Hero” and give $1,000 to the event, give a larger donation to become a community supporter, or donate services or supplies to help put on the event.

Presenting Sponsor: Quality Foods

About Quality Foods

“Having decades of experience providing fireworks set to music here on the island with the Quality Foods Festival of Lights summer series, the Symphony Splash is a natural fit to our annual celebrations,” says Noel Hayward, president of Quality Foods. “What we love about this event is that it brings all ages of people and families together, creating a lot of smiles and memorable times. Not many events can cross generational lines like this one.”

Quality Foods started their first grocery store in Qualicum Beach in 1982 and is proud to be a BC-owned, Vancouver Island operated company. We’re a Platinum Member of the Canada’s Best Managed Companies program, with thirteen award-winning stores on Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast.