Victoria Symphony Closes Highest Performing Season in Orchestra’s History

Victoria, B.C. – The Victoria Symphony’s (VS) 2024/25 Season concluded with record-breaking success, far surpassing last season’s already remarkable return to full audiences. From September to May, the season featured 37 outstanding performances, delivered at the highest artistic standard by 44 VS musicians and numerous guest performers, who together logged 339 rehearsal hours.

The community’s enthusiasm for the Symphony was unmistakable, with 52,300 patrons attending concerts—a staggering 46% increase over the 2023/24 season. This surge led to 21 sold-out performances and a 50% increase in ticket revenue, setting an all-time high for the organization. With support from CHEK TV, free broadcasts of Messiah by Candlelight also reached 226,000 households.

Thanks to the generosity of two private foundations, the Share the Music Community Ticketing Program provided over 370 complimentary tickets to local charities. Meanwhile, through the vsSOUNDCHECK Discount Ticketing Program, more than 1,000 patrons under the age of 35 attended performances for just $15 per ticket.

“This past season, I’ve been deeply moved by the growing connection to our community, as shown in the strongest ticket sales in the organization’s history,” says Christian Kluxen, whose contract as Music Director has been renewed for another three seasons. “The orchestra has grown in artistry, with incredible new musicians joining our ranks, and I’m excited to keep building on this momentum together.”

Season highlights included:

• • Soloist performances by three VS musicians: Concertmaster Terence Tam, Principal Clarinet David Boutin-Bourque, and Principal Cello Brian Yoon

• • A landmark appearance by world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, performing Elgar’s Cello Concerto

• • The return of audience-favourite pianists Angela Hewitt and Jon Kimura Parker

• • Performances by Victoria-born, now international stars: violinist Timothy Chooi and tenor Josh Lovell

• • Choral collaborations with Vox Humana Chamber Choir and Friends, Pacific Opera Victoria Chorus, Victoria Children’s Choir, and Christ Church Cathedral Young Choristers

• • Two Films in Concert presentations—Home Alone and The Princess Bride—which were so popular that additional performances were added and also sold out

The Symphony also continued to fulfill its mission to inspire and educate young people through music—an integral part of its mandate. This season:

• • 7,000 K–6 students and educators attended Education Concerts in Victoria and Duncan

• • VS musicians led 24 Instrument Workshops, reaching 830 students

• • 16 Symphony Storytime performances engaged 400 preschoolers and kindergarteners

• • The vsNEW Young Composers program, supporting artists aged 11–18, facilitated the creation of five new works—making it the only program of its kind in Canada. Several participants have since gone on to win awards at the local, provincial, and national levels

The Victoria Symphony extends heartfelt gratitude to its dedicated volunteers, who contributed a remarkable 9,751 hours of support. VS also thanks its 2024/25 Season Sponsor GAIN Group, Season Underwriter The Robert and Devi Jawl Foundation, and all 2024/25 Season Sponsors and Funders:

Platinum Sponsors: GAIN Group, Butler Bros., and Chateau Victoria
Gold Sponsor: Odlum Brown
Bronze Sponsors: Horne Coupar, Long & McQuade, Vessel Liquor
Venue Partners: The Royal and McPherson Theatres Society, The Farquhar at UVic, Christ Church Cathedral
Media Sponsors: Ocean 98.5, Jack 103.1, CTV, CFAX 1070, Used.ca, Times Colonist, CHEK TV
In Kind Partners: Fine Floral Designs, LA Limousines, Lighthouse Brewing, MET Printers, Tom Lee Music
Funders: British Columbia Arts Council, Province of British Columbia, Canada Council for the Arts, Canadian Heritage, CRD, City of Victoria, Victoria Foundation, Foundation for the Victoria Symphony, and the many individuals whose gifts support another season of brilliant music

• Subscriptions are now on sale for the 2025/26 Season and single tickets go on sale Tuesday, July 22, 2o25. 

---

ABOUT THE VICTORIA SYMPHONY
With a mission “to inspire, educate, and captivate our community through the transformative power of music,” the Victoria Symphony (VS) is one of British Columbia’s largest performing arts organizations. At the core of VS operations is our commitment to our orchestra: 44 outstanding professional musicians who share their expertise not only on stage, but also as educators at the University of Victoria, the Victoria Conservatory of Music, and through private instruction.

Over 95% of our expenses go toward paying local employees, artists, and businesses. The success of the Victoria Symphony is closely tied to our valued collaborations with other major local arts organizations. Our longstanding partnerships with Pacific Opera Victoria, Ballet Victoria, Dance Victoria, Vox Humana Chamber Choir, The Victoria Children’s Choir, Victoria Philharmonic Choir, Victoria Choral Society, and the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra place us at the very heart of Victoria’s cultural community.

 

– 30 –

Media Contact:

Maya Lohcham, Director of Marketing and Communications

Email: maya@victoriasymphony.ca

Phone: 250.412.2658