SEASON CALENDAR

LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Welcome to VAM – a place of vibrancy that celebrates the inspiring nature of the performing arts.

Founded in 1969, VAM has been spreading a love of learning and musical excellence for generations of aspiring musicians. In addition to our primary focus as a centre of music education, VAM also acts as a central hub for concerts and cultural events. I encourage you to leaf through this brochure and take advantage of the numerous events produced at VAM, including:

• VAM Symphony Orchestra at the Orpheum Theatre • Numerous competitions featuring promising young talent • Masterclasses with internationally renowned artists • Concerts featuring VAM’s four choirs and five orchestras of all ages and ability levels • Collaborative events spotlighting the spectrum of Renaissance music (Vancouver Viols) to world premieres (Standing Wave)

Since 1976, VAM’s Koerner Recital Hall has been the platform for such luminaries as Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, Josef Gringold, Aldo Parisot, Menahem Pressler, and Yo-Yo Ma; moreover, innumerable students have strong formative memories of this performance venue which lies at the heart of VAM. In 2016/17, VAM underwent its largest fundraising effort in forty years to renovate the Hall and bring it into the 21st century. The Campaign was a resounding success, raising 102% of its $1-million goal with our community’s outpouring of gifts and generosity into a newly renovated hall scheduled to open early 2018. Thank you to our many donors, VAM parents, students, faculty, staff, board, and funders for this enduring legacy, and I look forward to greeting you to the newly revitalized Koerner Recital Hall!

Joseph Elworthy Executive Director VAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ORPHEUM SERIES 2017/18 The Orpheum Series consists of VAM’s four main stage concerts in downtown Vancouver’s iconic venue, the Orpheum Theatre. On stage is the VAM Symphony Orchestra (VAMSO), which consists of more than 100 students performing seminal works of the Western orchestral tradition. Graduates have continued their training at leading conservatories and universities such as Juilliard, Yale University, the Curtis Institute of Music and Harvard University. Many VAMSO alumni populate the world’s finest orchestras: London Symphony Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic, Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and Boston Symphony Orchestra. 2016/17 highlights included sold-out performances of film music by John Williams and Prokofiev’sPeter and the Wolf with Goh Ballet, in addition to an appearance on Jocelyn Morlock’s album Halcyon (CMC Centredisc). This season, VAMSO collaborates with Vancouver Bach Choir, violin duo Jonathan Chan and Jan Bislin, and several featured soloists to present everything from widely-known masterworks to world premieres.

BEETHOVEN’S EMPEROR Sunday October 22 / 2:00pm I Orpheum Theatre, 601 Smithe St In an all-Beethoven extravaganza, internationally acclaimed Ian Parker takes the helm of VAM Symphony Orchestra as conductor and soloist of the grand display of splendour that is the Piano Concerto No. 5, aptly nicknamed “Emperor”. The brilliant virtuosity of Beethoven’s stately concerto is accompanied by his Symphony No. 7, filled with exuberance and pulsating liveliness through its majestic rising lines and playful tunefulness.

VERDI’S REQUIEM Sunday November 12 / 2:00pm I Orpheum Theatre, 601 Smithe St Thunderous rage and tremulous sincerity, riotous outcries and tender prayers; Verdi’s Requiem is one of the most celebrated Romantic masterworks. This powerful funeral mass reverberates with dramatic vigour in the Orpheum Theatre through the combined forces of VAM Symphony Orchestra and Vancouver Bach Choir.

BRAHMS’ SYMPHONY NO. 1 Sunday February 18 / 2:00pm I Orpheum Theatre, 601 Smithe St Slowly rising from the tremendous shadow of Beethoven’s symphonic works, Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 was created with painstaking care over a period of 21 years. This powerful contribution to the orchestral canon, formidable in its own right, is presented alongside Grieg’s Piano Concerto with 2017 Kay Meek Competition winner Hamilton Lau and a world premiere with violin duo Jonathan Chan and Jan Bislin. CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS Sunday May 6 / 2:00pm I Orpheum Theatre, 601 Smithe St From the graceful reverie of a faun to the lumbering waltz of an elephant, the French flair for musical imagery pervades Debussy’s dream-like Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune and Saint-Saëns’ cavalcade of comical creatures, Carnival of the Animals. Featuring Poulenc’s Concert champêtre for harpsichord and orchestra and VAM’s Mary Buckerfield White Choral program in works by Gabriel Fauré.

Tickets for all VAM Symphony Orchestra concerts: $15 general, $10 students/seniors available at vamso.ca.

VAM’s Orchestral Training Program is supported by: The R & J Stern Family Foundation

4 2017/18 VAM SEASON CALENDAR COMPETITIONS VAM’s annual competitions aim to identify the accomplishment of talented students and offer recognition for their hard work. Awards include opportunities to perform as soloist with one of VAM’s orchestras and scholarships to assist students in advancing their musical studies. Students wishing more information may visit vam.ca or email [email protected].

VAM JUNIOR & INTERMEDIATE SYMPHONY CONCERTO COMPETITIONS Who is eligible: registered members of VAMJS & VAMIS Application deadline: October 24 Competition dates: November 17 (VAMJS) and November 24 (VAMIS) PHYLLIS SALTER PIANO COMPETITION Who is eligible: VAM piano students born between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2003 Application deadline: January 10 Competition dates: January 29 (preliminary), February 3 (final) YOUNG COMPOSERS’ COMPETITION Who is eligible: Music students residing in BC age 22 and under as of December 31, 2017 Application deadline: January 8 Competition dates: March 3 finalist reading session with VAM Symphony Orchestra BJORN & LORI HAREID SENIOR SECONDARY COMPETITION Who is eligible: woodwind, brass, and percussion students in grades 10-12 Application deadline: January 10 Competition dates: January 31-February 1 (preliminary), February 10 (final) EDITH LANDO GIFTED YOUTH COMPETITION Who is eligible: VAM students 13 and under as of December 31, 2017 Application deadline: January 23 Competition dates: February 23 (preliminary), March 4 (final) JEROLD GERBRECHT WOODWIND & BRASS COMPETITION Who is eligible: young VAM woodwind & brass students Application deadline: February 2 Competition dates: March 2 (preliminary) and March 9 (final) BARBARA CLAGUE FESTIVAL OF SONG Who is eligible: VAM students born after January 1, 1999 Application deadline: March 6 Competition dates: April 6 (preliminary) and April 14 (final) ELSJE DE RIDDER ARMSTRONG CHAMBER MUSIC COMPETITION Who is eligible: chamber ensembles recommended by the Chamber Music Institute Application deadline: March 28 Competition date: April 28 KAY MEEK COMPETITION Who is eligible: VAM students age 14 and over as of May 19, 2018 Application deadline: April 18 Competition dates: May 18 (preliminary) and May 26 (final) ALTO CLEF VIOLA FESTIVAL Who is eligible: VAM viola students Application deadline: May 1 Competition dates: May 24 (competition) and June 1 (concert) VAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PROVINCIAL CONCERTO COMPETITION Who is eligible: Music students residing in BC age 24 and under as of June 1, 2018 Application deadline: May 4 Competition dates: June 7-8

2017/18 VAM SEASON CALENDAR 5 SEPTEMBER

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 29 / 7:00PM STRAWBERRY & TEA STUDENT CONCERT Mary Olson Hall | Free Admission VAM’s monthly series features students from a variety of programs celebrating all levels of musical learning. Join the VAM community in its tradition of music topped with a serving of tea and strawberries!

OCTOBER

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY OCTOBER 14 AND 15 SUZUKI PIANO MASTERCLASS WITH SUSAN MAGNUSSON Vancouver Academy of Music | Free Admission Distinguished Suzuki pedagogue Susan Magnusson hosts a weekend-long masterclass with students of VAM’s Suzuki Piano program. An event itinerary including locations and schedules is available online at vam.ca.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 14 / 5:30PM POST-SECONDARY INFORMATION SESSION: JUILLIARD, EASTMAN, & ITHACA COLLEGE Mary Olson Hall | Free Admission Gain insight into life as a post-secondary music student by meeting admissions representatives from Juilliard School, Eastman School of Music, and Ithaca College.

MONDAY OCTOBER 16 / 2:00PM VIOLIN MASTERCLASS WITH VADIM GLUZMAN Gessler Hall, UBC School of Music Free Admission Co-presented with Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and UBC School of Music Vadim Gluzman’s extraordinary artistry brings life to the glorious violinistic tradition of the 19th and 20th centuries. He performs regularly with major orchestras and has recently made appearances in London at The Proms with the BBC Symphony and Edward Gardner, with the Chicago Symphony under Neeme Järvi, and the NDR Elphilharmonie Orchestra Hamburg under Chrisoph von Dohnányi. Generously supported by Edith Lando Charitable Foundation

VADIM GLUZMAN

6 2017/18 VAM SEASON CALENDAR SUNDAY OCTOBER 22 / 2:00PM VAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: BEETHOVEN’S EMPEROR Orpheum Theatre | Tickets $15 general, $10 students/seniors available at vamso.ca In an all-Beethoven extravaganza, internationally acclaimed Ian Parker takes the helm of VAM Symphony Orchestra as conductor and soloist of the grand display of splendour that is the Piano Concerto No. 5, aptly nicknamed “Emperor”. The brilliant virtuosity of Beethoven’s stately concerto is accompanied by his Symphony No. 7, filled with exuberance and pulsating liveliness through its majestic rising lines and playful tunefulness.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 28 / 7:00PM VAM PRE-JUNIOR & JUNIOR SYMPHONY HALLOWEEN CONCERT Mary Olson Hall | Free Admission In a concert of ghosts and ghouls, VAM Pre-Junior and Junior Symphonies present spooky favourites including Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King and Saint-Saëns’ Danse Macabre.

VAM’s Orchestral Training Program is supported by: The R & J Stern Family Foundation

2017/18 VAM SEASON CALENDAR 7 NOVEMBER

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 2 / 7:00PM VOICE MASTERCLASS WITH NATHAN BERG Mary Olson Hall | Free Admission Co-presented with Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Acclaimed as theatrically “cinematic” (ClassiqueNews) with “indisputable stage presence” (ClassiqueInfo) and “impeccable” technique (Opera News), Canadian bass-baritone Nathan Berg has had a wide ranging career alternating from his love of song to concert and opera in a vast range of styles and time periods. Generously supported by Edith Lando Charitable Foundation

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 3 / 7:00PM STRAWBERRY & TEA STUDENT CONCERT Mary Olson Hall | Free Admission VAM’s monthly series features students from a variety of programs celebrating all levels of musical learning. Join the VAM community in its tradition of music topped with a serving of tea and strawberries!

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 4 / 7:00PM VAM INTERMEDIATE SYMPHONY FALL CONCERT Mary Olson Hall | Free Admission VAM Intermediate Symphony sounds the harvest songs and hunting cries of Vivaldi’s Autumn alongside Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony and Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances.

NATHAN BERG

8 2017/18 VAM SEASON CALENDAR SUNDAY NOVEMBER 12 / 2:00PM VAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: VERDI’S REQUIEM Orpheum Theatre | Tickets $15 general, $10 students/seniors available at vamso.ca Thunderous rage and tremulous sincerity, riotous outcries and tender prayers; Verdi’s Requiem is one of the most celebrated Romantic masterworks. This powerful funeral mass reverberates with dramatic vigour in the Orpheum Theatre through the combined forces of VAM Symphony Orchestra and Vancouver Bach Choir.

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 14 / 5:00PM CELLO MASTERCLASS WITH THOMAS WIEBE Mary Olson Hall | Free Admission Well known as a soloist and chamber musician, Thomas Wiebe is on faculty at the University of Western Ontario and Domaine Forget Summer Music Academy, cellist with the Duke Trio, and member of Rebelheart Collective. Generously supported by Edith Lando Charitable Foundation

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 24 / 7:00PM ADULT LEARNING PROGRAM SOIRÉE Mary Olson Hall | Free Admission One of VAM’s fastest growing communities, the Adult Learning Program is a celebration of lifelong learning through music. Come hear a highlight of our adult learners in an evening gathering of music, food, and conversation!

MONDAY NOVEMBER 27 / 7:00PM ADULT STRING ENSEMBLE FALL CONCERT Mary Olson Hall | Free Admission In a program of poignancy and poise, experience masterworks such as Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, Borodin’s Nocturne for Strings, and “Largo” from Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 8.

VAM’s Orchestral Training Program is supported by: The R & J Stern Family Foundation

2017/18 VAM SEASON CALENDAR 9 DECEMBER

FRIDAY DECEMBER 1 / 7:00PM STRAWBERRY & TEA STUDENT CONCERT Mary Olson Hall | Free Admission VAM’s monthly series features students from a variety of programs celebrating all levels of musical learning. Join the VAM community in its tradition of music topped with a serving of tea and strawberries!

SATURDAY DECEMBER 2 / 7:00PM VAM PRE-JUNIOR & JUNIOR SYMPHONY HOLIDAY CONCERT Mary Olson Hall | Free Admission VAM’s youngest orchestral players ring in the holiday season with classics such as Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring and Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 9 / 2:00PM HOLIDAY CHORAL CONCERT Mary Olson Hall | Free Admission VAM’s four choirs, featuring singers of all ages, join together for a festive afternoon of holiday choral singing.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 9 / 7:00PM VAM INTERMEDIATE SYMPHONY HOLIDAY CONCERT Mary Olson Hall | Free Admission VAM Intermediate Symphony with guests from VAM’s choirs presents Mozart’s prayerful Ave Verum Corpus, the dance-like elegance of Fauré’s Pavane, and music from Disney’s Frozen.

VAM IN THE COMMUNITY DECEMBER 14-19 VAM CHOIRS IN GOH BALLET’S THE NUTCRACKER The Centre, 777 Homer St | Tickets: gohnutcracker.com Experience the magical, timeless journey of The Nutcracker with enchanting music and graceful dance. Each year, Goh Ballet’s The Nutcracker features internationally celebrated Principal Dancers from top ballet companies and captivating scenery that will become larger than life as sparkling snowflakes and a glittering Christmas tree fill the stage. Featuring members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra and VAM’s Mary Buckerfield White Choral Program.

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY DECEMBER 15-16 / 7:30PM VAM VOCAL THEATRE PRODUCTION Mary Olson Hall | Free Admission Led by Robyn Driedger-Klassen, VAM’s Vocal Theatre Department reinvigorates vocal repertoire through modern, innovative staging in Samuel Barber’s A Hand of Bridge, Paul Ramsier’s The Man on the Bearskin Rug, and Ned Rorem’s Fables.

VAM’s Orchestral Training Program is supported by: The R & J Stern Family Foundation

10 2017/18 VAM SEASON CALENDAR JANUARY

JANUARY 15-27 RCM EXAMS AT VAM VAM shares a close institutional relationship with the Royal Conservatory of Music that includes our official designation as the Vancouver West exam centre. For more information, visit: rcmusic.ca.

MONDAY JANUARY 15 / 2:00PM VOICE AND PIANO MASTERCLASS WITH TARA ERRAUGHT AND JAMES BAILLIEU Koerner Recital Hall | Free Admission Co-presented with Vancouver Recital Society Internationally acclaimed sorpano Tara Erraught and award-winning pianist James Baillieu offer a joint voice and piano masterclass as part of VAM’s 2017/18 Distinguished Artist Series. Generously supported by Edith Lando Charitable Foundation

TARA ERRAUGHT JAMES BAILLIEU

SUNDAY JANUARY 21 / 2:00PM STRAWBERRY & TEA STUDENT CONCERT Koerner Recital Hall | Free Admission VAM’s monthly series features students from a variety of programs celebrating all levels of musical learning. Join the VAM community in its tradition of music topped with a serving of tea and strawberries!

2017/18 VAM SEASON CALENDAR 11 FEBRUARY

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 2 / 7:00PM VAM CHORAL & BRASS PROGRAMS: MUSIC OF THE SISTER QUEENS Koerner Recital Hall | Free Admission Queen Mary II of England and her sister Anne had a tumultuous relationship. Though eventually estranged, their legacies are connected by the lasting masterpieces written for their courts by the most renowned composers of the day. Featuring VAM Choral and Brass Programs with students of VAM Vocal Theatre in Purcell’s Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary and Handel’s Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 3 / 1:00PM VANIER PARK HONOUR BAND CONCERT Koerner Recital Hall | Free Admission Vanier Park Honour Band brings together two of VAM’s core values - musical excellence and community awareness - by assembling the finest and most musically ambitious young woodwind, brass, and percussion players from the Greater Vancouver Area. Join this ensemble of gifted music students in the culmination of their two-day intensive with a performance in Koerner Recital Hall.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 3 / 7:00PM PHYLLIS SALTER PIANO COMPETITION FINALS Koerner Recital Hall | Free Admission Highlighting VAM’s most outstanding high-school pianists, the Phyllis Salter Piano Competition honours the accomplishments of young students through tuition scholarships and top-of-school recognition.

12 2017/18 VAM SEASON CALENDAR FRIDAY FEBRUARY 9 / 3:00PM VAM COMPOSITION DEPARTMENT: STANDING WAVE COMPOSITION WORKSHOP Koerner Recital Hall | Free Admission One of Vancouver’s most cutting edge chamber ensembles and advocates of Canadian music, Standing Wave workshops music by VAM composition students in the first of three collaborative events.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 10 / 7:00PM BJORN & LORI HAREID SENIOR SECONDARY COMPETITION FINALS Koerner Recital Hall | Free Admission VAM’s Bjorn & Lori Hareid Senior Secondary Competition attracts the most musically ambitious high school students from British Columbia. This year’s competition features winds, brass, and percussion as part of an annual rotation with piano and strings.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 17 / 7:00PM VAM PRE-JUNIOR & JUNIOR SYMPHONY WINTER CONCERT Koerner Recital Hall | Free Admission Energy fills the grey landscapes of winter with the Verdi’s vigorous Overture to Nabucco, the rousing theme from Mission Impossible, and more.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 18 / 2:00PM VAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: BRAHMS’ SYMPHONY NO. 1 Orpheum Theatre | Tickets $15 general, $10 students/seniors available at vamso.ca Slowly rising from the tremendous shadow of Beethoven’s symphonic works, Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 was created with painstaking care over a period of 21 years. This powerful contribution to the orchestral canon, formidable in its own right, is presented alongside Grieg’s Piano Concerto with 2017 Kay Meek Competition winner Hamilton Lau and a world premiere with violin duo Jonathan Chan and Jan Bislin.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 24 / 7:00PM VAM INTERMEDIATE SYMPHONY WINTER CONCERT Koerner Recital Hall | Free Admission Playfulness meets apprehension in the scherzo movement of Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 alongside Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite, Khatchaturian’s Sabre Dance, and Vivaldi’s Spring.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 25 / 2:00PM STRAWBERRY & TEA STUDENT CONCERT Koerner Recital Hall | Free Admission VAM’s monthly series features students from a variety of programs celebrating all levels of musical learning. Join the VAM community in its tradition of music topped with a serving of tea and strawberries!

VAM’s Orchestral Training Program is supported by: The R & J Stern Family Foundation

2017/18 VAM SEASON CALENDAR 13 MARCH

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY MARCH 2-3 / 7:30PM VAM VOCAL THEATRE PRODUCTION Koerner Recital Hall | Free Admission VAM’s college voice department, led by Robyn Driedger-Klassen, reinvigorates vocal repertoire through modern, innovative staging of traditional works.

SATURDAY MARCH 3 / 2:30PM YOUNG COMPOSERS’ COMPETITION FINALS: ORCHESTRAL READING SESSION Mary Olson Hall | Free Admission VAM Symphony Orchestra brings new works to life written by the finalists of VAM’s 2018 Young Composers’ Competition.

SUNDAY MARCH 4 / 7:00PM EDITH LANDO GIFTED YOUTH COMPETITION FINALS Koerner Recital Hall | Free Admission Named after an outstanding arts advocate and humanitarian, the Edith Lando Gifted Youth Competition opens doors for the next generation. Eight talented students aged 14 and younger are selected from the preliminary round to receive tuition scholarships and perform in this finale concert to commemorate Edith Lando’s dedication to providing opportunities for youth.

FRIDAY MARCH 9 / 7:00PM JEROLD GERBRECHT WOODWIND & BRASS COMPETITION FINALS Koerner Recital Hall | Free Admission VAM’s Jerold Gerbrecht Woodwind & Brass Competition is designed to identify young talented woodwind and brass students and afford them recognition and financial assistance. Award recipients are provided with a performance opportunity and VAM scholarships.

MONDAY MARCH 12 / 7:00PM ADULT STRING ENSEMBLE SPRING CONCERT Koerner Recital Hall | Free Admission Literature of Miguel de Cervantes and Giovanni Verga echoes in the sounds of their musical adaptations, Telemann’s Don Quixote Suite and the intermezzo of Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana, with Haydn’s Serenade for Strings and Warlock’s Capriol Suite.

AMANDA FORSYTH SATURDAY MARCH 24 / 2:00PM CELLO MASTERCLASS WITH AMANDA FORSYTH Koerner Recital Hall | Free Admission Co-presented with Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Juno Award-winning cellist Amanda Forsyth has achieved an international reputation as soloist and chamber musician. Ms. Forsyth was principal cello of Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra from 1999-2015, is a founding member of the Zukerman ChamberPlayers, and is cellist of the Zukerman Trio.

Generously supported by Edith Lando Charitable Foundation

14 2017/18 VAM SEASON CALENDAR APRIL

FRIDAY APRIL 6 / 3:00PM VAM COMPOSITION DEPARTMENT: STANDING WAVE COMPOSITION WORKSHOP Mary Olson Hall | Free Admission One of Vancouver’s most cutting edge chamber ensembles and advocates of Canadian music, Standing Wave workshops music by VAM composition students in the second of three collaborative events.

SUNDAY APRIL 8 / 2:00PM STRAWBERRY & TEA STUDENT CONCERT Koerner Recital Hall | Free Admission VAM’s monthly series features students from a variety of programs celebrating all levels of musical learning. Join the VAM community in its tradition of music topped with a serving of tea and strawberries!

FRIDAY APRIL 13 / 8:00PM VAM SCHOLA CANTORUM AND VANCOUVER VIOLS MY DAYS: OLD AND NEW MUSIC FOR VOICES AND VIOLS Koerner Recital Hall | Free Admission Vancouver Viols join VAM Schola Cantorum for a unique presentation of ancient and contemporary music for voices and viol consort. Music by Gavin Bryars, Nico Muhly, Orlando Gibbons, and Henry Purcell.

SATURDAY APRIL 14 / 7:00PM BARBARA CLAGUE FESTIVAL OF SONG Koerner Recital Hall | Free Admission A humanitarian, social justice and cultural champion, Barbara Clague was dedicated to the arts and, most importantly, people. The Barbara Clague Festival of Song was established in her honour to nourish up-and-coming young singers and their talents. Join us for an afternoon of song and music – this is a marvelous opportunity to hear emerging singers and pay tribute to the memory of an exceptional Canadian.

SATURDAY APRIL 28 / 7:00PM ELSJE DE RIDDER ARMSTRONG CHAMBER MUSIC COMPETITION Koerner Recital Hall | Free Admission Chamber music: a conversation between friends. Come hear the culminating event for VAM’s Chamber Music Institute in honour of VAM’s visionary founding president, Elsje de Ridder Armstrong.

2017/18 VAM SEASON CALENDAR 15 MAY

SATURDAY MAY 5 / 10AM - 2PM VAM SPRING CARNIVAL & OPEN HOUSE VAM’s Spring Carnival & Open House is the perfect opportunity for both prospective and existing students to celebrate the VAM community. Open-door classes allow the exploration of the various programs VAM has to offer and student concerts throughout the day showcase the wide variety of achievements over the past academic year. When you are not learning, take some time to enjoy face painting, balloons, popcorn, food, and more!

SATURDAY MAY 5 / 7:00PM VAM PRE-JUNIOR & JUNIOR SYMPHONY SPRING CONCERT Koerner Recital Hall | Free Admission Music greets the springtime with the florid landscape of Delibes’ Flower Duet and the convivial melodies of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Cappricio Espagnol. Featuring the winners of the 2017/18 VAM Junior Symphony Concerto Competition.

SUNDAY MAY 6 / 2:00PM VAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS Orpheum Theatre | Tickets $15 general, $10 students/seniors available at vamso.ca From the graceful reverie of a faun to the lumbering waltz of an elephant, the French flair for musical imagery pervades Debussy’s dream-likePrélude à l’après-midi d’un faune and Saint-Saëns’ cavalcade of comical creatures, Carnival of the Animals. Featuring Poulenc’s Concert champêtre for harpsichord and orchestra and VAM’s Mary Buckerfield White Choral program in works by Gabriel Fauré.

SATURDAY MAY 12 / 2:00PM SPRING CHORAL CONCERT Koerner Recital Hall | Free Admission VAM’s four choirs, featuring singers of all ages, join together for a festive afternoon of springtime choral singing.

VAM’s Orchestral Training Program is supported by: The R & J Stern Family Foundation

16 2017/18 VAM SEASON CALENDAR SATURDAY MAY 12 / 7:00PM VAM INTERMEDIATE SYMPHONY SPRING CONCERT Koerner Recital Hall | Free Admission Melodies flow in cinematic arches and rhythms find their groove in Bernstein’s Overture to West Side Story, suite from the movie La La Land, and Funk Songs for String Orchestra. Featuring the winners of the 2017/18 VAM Intermediate Symphony Concerto Competition.

WEDNESDAY MAY 16 / 7:00PM VAM COMPOSITION DEPARTMENT CONCERT WITH STANDING WAVE Koerner Recital Hall | Free Admission One of Vancouver’s most cutting edge chamber ensembles and advocates of Canadian music, Standing Wave performs music by VAM composition students in the final instalment of three collaborative events.

FRIDAY MAY 25 / 7:00PM ADULT LEARNING PROGRAM SOIRÉE Koerner Recital Hall | Free Admission One of VAM’s fastest growing communities, the Adult Learning Program is a celebration of lifelong learning through music. Come hear a highlight of our adult learners in an evening gathering of music, food, and conversation!

SATURDAY MAY 26 / 9:30AM GROUP PIANO SPRING CONCERT Koerner Recital Hall | Free Admission Representing one of VAM’s key foundational programs that builds essential skills of music training, group piano students of Rebecca Kelly present their year-end performance.

SATURDAY MAY 26 / 7:00PM KAY MEEK COMPETITION FINALS Koerner Recital Hall | Free Admission In the final round of VAM’s most prestigious competition, six distinguished students compete for the chance to appear as featured soloist in the Vancouver Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra’s 2018/19 season.

SUNDAY MAY 27 / 2:00PM MARIAN SCHREIBER SUZUKI FESTIVAL CONCERT Orpheum Theatre | Free Admission Since 1969, VAM’s reputation has been built on the success of our Suzuki program with some of North America’s most experienced instructors of this proven methodology. One of the most primary principles of the Suzuki method is the importance placed in music as a shared experience, reflected in this culminating festival where many young musicians come together to share the fruits of several hours of practice and the uninhibited joy of budding friendships based on a creative pursuit.

TUESDAY MAY 29 / 7:00PM DAL RICHARDS SCHOOL OF SWING SPRING GALA Koerner Recital Hall | Tickets $15 general, $10 students/seniors available at vamso.ca Swing into spring with classics rendered by VAM’s jazz orchestra named after Vancouver’s very own ‘King of Swing’ and VAM supporter, Dal Richards.

2017/18 VAM SEASON CALENDAR 17 JUNE

FRIDAY JUNE 1 / 7:00PM ALTO CLEF VIOLA FESTIVAL CONCERT Koerner Recital Hall | Free Admission The alto voice of the violin instrument family takes the spotlight in this concert featuring students of VAM’s viola department.

JUNE 11-30 RCM EXAMINATIONS AT VAM VAM shares a close institutional relationship with the Royal Conservatory of Music that includes our official designation as the Vancouver West exam centre. For more information, visit: rcmusic.ca.

18 2017/18 VAM SEASON CALENDAR PHOTO AND BIOGRAPHY CREDITS Vadim Gluzman (p. 6): vadimgluzman.com; photo:Marco Borggreve Nathan Berg (p. 8): nathanberg.com Tara Erraught (p. 11): taraerraught.com James Baillieu (p. 11): james-baillieu.com; photo: Kaupo Kikkas Amanda Forsyth (p. 13): amandaforsyth.com

The artist biographies published in this calendar were edited to meet word length requirements. For the original, full-length versions, please visit the websites listed above.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbiaand the following partners:

EDITH LANDO The R & J Stern CHARITABLE Family Foundation FOUNDATION 1270 CHESTNUT STREET SEASON VANCOUVER BC V6J 4R9 CALENDAR 604 734 2301 I vam.ca