Vancouver Symphony Soceity Announces 100th Anniversary “In Concert with the Community” Campaign

VANCOUVER SYMPHONY SOCIETY ANNOUNCES 100th ANNIVERSARY “IN CONCERT WITH THE COMMUNITY” CAMPAIGN TO RAISE $30M TO HELP ORCHESTRATE THE NEXT 100 YEARS OF MUSIC.

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra announced the 100th Anniversary In Concert with the Community Campaign to raise $30M to help secure the next 100 years of music and ensure the continued accessibility and affordability of VSO programs. The Campaign has already raised $22M (nearly three quarters of the goal). A current matching fund of $1M will increase the impact of donations to this dedicated campaign, dollar for dollar, to support the VSO’s programs to make music accessible and affordable.

Fred Withers (VSS Chair and co-chair of the 100th Anniversary Campaign) commented, “This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, one of the first orchestras in Canada to hit this milestone. The VSO has reached this occasion through the generosity of its community, its civic leaders and its musicians. The VSO is committed to making sure the next century provides the resources to make sure music and musicians thrive in our community.” The boards of the VSS, Vancouver Symphony Foundation and VSO School of Music, community philanthropists, and the Canada Cultural Investment Fund were acknowledged and thanked for helping the campaign get to the $22M mark.

VSO President, Kelly Tweeddale stated, “We are committed to making music accessible and affordable. Over the next five years we will double the number of people that attend the VSO from 250,000 to 500,000. Right now you can support that goal by giving to the campaign and having your donation matched, dollar for dollar, up to $1M.”

Music Director Otto Tausk said, “Music has the power to make us happier, healthier, and more connected with our larger community.  It matters—and the VSO is committed to ensuring there are no barriers to enjoying the irresistible musical experiences we offer.”

ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN

The 100th Anniversary In Concert with the Community: Tomorrow Starts Today Campaign is a dedicated effort to provide a legacy beyond what is possible through annual operational fundraising. It has set an ambitious goal to raise $30M to help orchestrate the next 100 years of music making. To date, the Campaign has raised $22M or nearly three quarters of that goal. These funds will be held within the Vancouver Symphony Foundation and will be used to help attract and retain exceptional musicians in Vancouver, support the future of the VSO School of Music, and extend the reach of symphonic music across the province.

The VSO invites the public to join the campaign and the VSO’s commitment to making Music Accessible and Affordable to the whole community. The VSO has a goal to double the number of people (from 250,000 to 500,000) that attend the VSO over the next five years through three focus areas:

•  A major expansion of free programs such as outdoor concerts like Symphony at Sunset Beach and Deer Lake Park, which combined welcomed 26,000 audience members last summer, and collaborative projects with other musicians within our community.

•  The extension of programs such as Kids Go Free and Giving Back that provide tickets to the next generation, marginalized communities, new immigrants and most vulnerable populations.

•  Initiating new connections through music to early learning, health and wellness, and healing via seed funding for research-based initiatives and new programming.

To learn more about how to make a gift to the campaign please visit http:www.vso.ca/giving or contact:

Tracie Yee, Manager, 100th Anniversary Campaign

(604) 684-9100 ext. 237 | tracie@nullvancouversymphony.ca

To learn more about how to participate in the VSO’s Giving Back program, please contact:

Duncan Watts-Grant, Community Engagement Specialist

(604) 684-9100 ext. 274 | duncan@nullvancouversymphony.ca 

About the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

Founded in 1919, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is one of Canada’s most active and successful performing arts institutions; the largest performing arts organization west of Ontario and the third largest symphony orchestra in the country.

The VSO performs to an annual audience of over 250,000 people and features more than 50 celebrated guest artists each season. Over 170 concerts are performed annually by the VSO in the historic Orpheum Theatre and numerous additional venues throughout the Lower Mainland. 2018/2019 marks the organization’s 100th season.

Media release and image provided by Sarah Yu, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

[wdi_feed id=”2″]