Vancouver Symphony Orchestral Institute

Our In-Person Chamber Program is coming to a close with our final Showcase Concert tomorrow, July 30 at 3pm in Pyatt Hall at the VSO School of Music. Our ensembles look forward to sharing the pieces they have been hard at work preparing over the past two weeks! Please RSVP: https://forms.gle/tdjdyuQCWqzSm3NWA

In partnership with Stingray Music

VSO School of Music Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

The second week of our In-Person Chamber Program has commenced! Our six Chamber Ensembles are hard at work preparing their pieces, which will be showcased at our FREE afternoon concert this Saturday! This year’s diverse range of ensembles will perform works including Ibert’s Trois pièces brèves, and Rossini’s Sechs Quartette No. 6.

Please RSVP here: https://forms.gle/ajWeZz4A8XXfrJzz8

Date: Saturday, July 30
Time: 3:00pm
Location: Pyatt Hall, VSO School of Music
Address: 843 Seymour Street, Vancouver, BC

In partnership with

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestral Institute is thrilled to welcome local young musicians to the VSO School of Music for our In-Person Chamber Program. Over the next two weeks, six chamber ensembles will be coached by a member of our faculty comprised of VSO musicians!

On July 30, join us for a FREE afternoon concert, showcasing each of these talented ensembles. This year’s diverse range of ensembles will perform works including Ibert’s Trois pièces brèves, and Rossini’s Sechs Quartette No. 6.

For more information, and to RSVP, please visit our website: https://www.vancouversymphony.ca/the-vso-institute/the-vso-institute/

In Partnership with Stingray Music

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra VSO School of Music

The first week of VSOI is almost over and what a fantastic week it has been! Pictured is a screen capture from the Orchestral Citizenship Webinar, which was hosted by VSO Associate Concertmaster Timothy Steeves and Principle Clarinetist Jenny Jonquil! They spoke about ensemble leadership and co-operation; how to be a good colleague and keeping an orchestral position.

Also, make sure to tune into our second special guest masterclass happening tomorrow, July 8 at 3:30. French Horn students will participate in this masterclass led by French Hornist Jaclyn Rainey. This event is free and open to the public.

Please register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wyZHlSGVQbKL7dXp3-tfAw

In Partnership with Stingray Music

VSO School of Music Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

Three more days until VSOI begins!

The VSOI's Special Guest Masterclasses are FREE and open to the public!

Selected VSOI Violin and French Horn students will participate in these masterclasses led by VSO concertmaster and violinist Nicholas Wright and French Hornist Jaclyn Rainey.

If you are interested in attending, please make sure to register at the links below in advance.

Nicholas Wright: Violin Masterclass on July 7, 2022
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__W-Zs-L4ROS9KetzgN2hCQ

Jaclyn Rainey: French Horn Masterclass on July 8, 2022
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wyZHlSGVQbKL7dXp3-tfAw

The countdown is on! In just four days, The Vancouver Symphony Orchestral Institute begins. We are thrilled to welcome young musicians from around the world to enhance their skills alongside our faculty comprised of VSO Musicians, and led by Maestro Otto Tausk!

In partnership with Stingray Music.

VSO School of Music Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

We are thrilled to announce that VSO Concertmaster Nicholas Wright will be giving the VSOI Strings masterclass on July 7! This will be livestreamed publicly.

Nicholas has performed as a soloist, as well as a chamber and orchestral musician across Europe, Asia, and North America. Nicholas trained at the Royal College of Music in London, has given many masterclasses internationally, and is sought after as a pedagogue and chamber music coach. He has worked with the world's most renowned conductors including Bernard Haitink, Sir Simon Rattle, Valery Gergiev and Mstislav Rostropovich, and performed extensively with major chamber and symphony orchestras in London. You may have already heard Nicholas play on the Harry Potter soundtracks!

Nicholas is currently the Concertmaster of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

In partnership with Stingray Music.
VSO School of Music Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Stingray Music

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestral Institute thanks presenting partner, Stingray Music, for supporting world-class performance and learning opportunities for emerging artists!

“Being apart of the VSOI provided such amazing opportunities and experiences. Working with VSO members opened up a variety of new and insightful perspectives on music, warming up, practicing, performance anxiety, and so much more. I am forever grateful for this amazing opportunity to be a part of the VSOI.” - Abby Minor (bassoon, Professional Training Program)

VSO School of Music Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Stingray Music

Meet our Faculty: Percussion

Vern Griffiths is Principal Percussionist of the VSO. He has also played with Standing Wave, the Music On Main All-Star Band, Turning Point Ensemble, CBC Radio Orchestra, and can be heard on soundtracks for Disney, ABC, IMAX, NFB, EA Sports, and Dreamworks. Vern has degrees in both Commerce and Music from the University of British Columbia, and then earned his Master of Music degree in Orchestral Performance from the Manhattan School of Music. A committed educator, Vern has been teaching percussion at UBC since 1997, as well as teaching at the VSO School of Music and the VSO Institute each summer.

Michael Jarrett is a percussionist with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Michael attained his bachelor’s degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and earned his master’s degree in orchestral performance from the Manhattan School of Music. He has performed at music festivals such as the Tanglewood Music Center, National Repertory Orchestra, and Music Academy of the West. Michael is passionate about teaching students of all different ages and levels of experience.

Aaron McDonald is Principal Timpanist of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the Lake Tahoe Summerfest Orchestra. He has performed with the VSO Chamber Players, Turning Point Ensemble, Music on Main Concert Series, UBC Noon Hour Concert Series, and the Vancouver Film Orchestra. He currently teaches at the UBC School of Music and the VSO School of Music. Aaron received his Masters in Orchestra Performance from the Manhattan School of Music. Music festivals he has participated in include the Music Academy of the West, Tanglewood, and the Israel International Symphony Orchestra.

Learn more about our programs and faculty on our website:

https://www.vancouversymphony.ca/the-vso-institute/the-vso-institute/

In partnership with Stingray Music
Thank you RBC Foundation for your support!

VSO School of Music Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

Introducing our Percussion Faculty!

Vern Griffiths
Michael Jarrett
Aaron McDonald

Please visit our website to read faculty biographies, today is the last day to apply to work with and lean from these incredible musicians!

https://www.vancouversymphony.ca/the-vso-institute/the-vso-institute/

In partnership with Stingray Music
Thank you RBC Foundation for your support!

VSO School of Music Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

Meet our Faculty: Trombone and Tuba

Brian Wendel is Principle Trombone with the VSO. Brian has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the New York Philharmonic Brass Ensemble. Chamber music performances have taken him to venues including the United Nations, the Russian Embassy in Washington, DC, and Madison Square Garden. He received his Bachelor’s degree from The Juilliard School, where he was a scholarship student of Joseph Alessi, the principal trombone of the New York Philharmonic.

Peder MacLellan is Principal Tuba with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and is also a sessional lecturer at UBC where he teaches low brass and coaches chamber ensembles. In the past, Peder has performed throughout Canada and the United States in various chamber music settings, symphony orchestras, wind ensembles, big bands and small group jazz ensembles. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Music Performance from The University of Manitoba. Peder holds a Master's Degree from Indiana University Bloomington and is in the process of completing a Doctorate. He performs exclusively on B&S instruments.

Please visit our website to learn more:
https://www.vancouversymphony.ca/the-vso-institute/the-vso-institute/

In partnership with Stingray Music
Thank you RBC Foundation for your support!

VSO School of Music Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

Announcing our 2022 Guest Artist Masterclasses!

We are thrilled to announce that Jaclyn Rainey will be giving a virtual horn masterclass at VSOI 2022.

Jaclyn Rainey is the Principal horn of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. She has performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic, Cincinnati Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, Louisville Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, and the Sarasota Orchestra. Ms. Rainey is an Artist affiliate at Emory University, has served on the faculty of Georgia State University in addition to maintaining a private teaching studio. She received her undergraduate degree in horn performance from the Eastman School of Music, followed by a Masters degree at the New England Conservatory of Music.

In partnership with Stingray Music
Thank you RBC Foundation for your support!

VSO School of Music Vancouver Symphony Orchestra