The VSO’s open rehearsal program, Symphonic Encounters, takes students, teachers, and community groups behind the scenes to discover what it takes for the musicians, conductors, and production team of the Vancouver Symphony to prepare for a world class concert.
In addition to the rehearsal, opportunities to Meet a Musician or take an Orpheum Tour may be offered depending on safety guidelines. Ticket holders will be notified of these opportunities in advance of the rehearsal date.
Meet a Musician: During the break, VSO musician will be available to answer any questions students may have about a career in music or the rehearsal process.
Orpheum Tour: A 40-minute tour of the Orpheum Theatre is available as an alternative to sitting in on the second half of the rehearsal. Space is limited, so advance booking is required.
Upcoming Events
Friday, April 26, 10am-12:30pm
John Adams: Harmonielehre
This is a Dress Rehearsal. Dress Rehearsals usually include a run through of the program. However, please note that rehearsal plans do sometimes change.
Maestro Tausk and violin virtuoso Paul Huang rise to the challenge of Shostakovich’s emotionally charged and frenzied First Violin Concerto. John Adams’ groundbreaking Harmonielehre receives its much-anticipated BC premiere, propelling the orchestra to new heights with its vision of an oil tanker rocketing skyward. Plus a world premiere from BC composer Nicholas Ryan Kelly featuring the radiant Elektra Women’s Choir.
Otto Tausk, Conductor
Paul Huang, Violin
Elektra Women’s Choir
Concert Program:
Nicholas Ryan Kelly – Earth, Beloved (World Premiere)
Shostakovich – Violin Concerto No. 1
John Adams – Harmonielehre (BC Premiere)
Friday, May 10, 10am-12:30pm
Symphonie fantastique
This is a Dress Rehearsal. Dress Rehearsals usually include a run through of the program. However, please note that rehearsal plans do sometimes change.
Maestro Tausk is joined by British composer and musicologist Paul Rissmann, as they discover and uncover the secrets to Hector Berlioz’s incomparable Symphonie fantastique. Completely revolutionary at its premiere in 1830, the piece is the product of an opium induced dreamscape. Dive deep into this great musical drama and discover its lasting power to surprise and astonish.
Otto Tausk, Conductor
Paul Rissmann, Presenter
Concert Program:
Oesterle – Entr’actes
Berlioz – Symphonie fantastique
Past Events
Thursday, October 19. 10am-12:30pm
Stravinsky’s Petrushka
This is a regular professional rehearsal. Please note that the rehearsal plans are decided by the conductor and might include one or all listed pieces.
Tentative rehearsal program:
Have you ever wondered what happens if a single melody is played in two keys at once? a new color emerges, and magic happens! A puppet comes to life!
Join the VSO musicians at this open rehearsal to experience Stravinsky’s characterful ballet score and his use of this compositional tool- known as bitonality. Be ready to hear some of the most challenging passages ever written in the world of orchestral music. By the end of this rehearsal, you will learn how the musicians experiment with ideas and refine their performance through a collaborative effort.
Stefan Asbury, Conductor
Louis Lortie, Piano
Concert Program:
Missy Mazzoli – River Rouge Transfiguration
Rachmaninoff – Piano Concerto No. 4
Stravinsky – Petrouchka
Friday, November 10, 10am-12:30pm
Saint-Saens’ Organ Symphony & Mozart Piano Concerto
This is a Dress Rehearsal. Dress Rehearsals usually include a run through of the program. However, please note that rehearsal plans do sometimes change.
Maestro Otto Tausk and the VSO go all out in a dramatic, romantic, and epic performance of Saint-Saëns’ iconic Organ Symphony, featuring a rare appearance of the Orpheum’s mighty and historic Wurlitzer organ. Ever since its 1886 London premiere, Saint-Saëns’ tour de force instantly entered the canon of symphonic masterpieces and has remained there ever since. Plus, South Korean virtuoso pianist Yeol Eum Son brings her captivating touch to Mozart’s lively and beloved Piano Concerto No. 20.
Otto Tausk, Conductor
Yeol Eum Son, Piano
Concert Program:
Berlioz – Le corsaire, Overture, Op. 21
Mozart – Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K466
Saint-Saëns – Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Organ Symphony
Thursday, January 25, 10am – 12:30pm
Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4
This is a regular professional rehearsal. Please note that the rehearsal plans are decided by the conductor and might include one or all listed pieces.
Guest conductor Nicolas Ellis returns to the VSO. He’s joined by acclaimed Macedonian pianist Simon Trpčeski to take on Liszt’s Second Piano Concerto, bursting with originality and brilliance. Battle with Fate itself in Tchaikovsky’s colossal Symphony No. 4 in F minor, plus a new, complementary work by Kelly-Marie Murphy, sparked by light overcoming darkness.
Nicolas Ellis, Conductor
Simon Trpčeski, Piano
Concert Program:
Kelly-Marie Murphy – And so be changed to lightning in the end
Liszt – Piano Concerto No. 2 in A Major
Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 4
Thursday, February 15, 10am-12:30pm
Debussy & Ravel
This is a regular professional rehearsal. Please note that the rehearsal plans are decided by the conductor and might include one or all listed pieces.
Travel to Debussy’s beautiful and mystical seascape in La Mer, and be captivated by pianist Alexandra Dariescu’s performance of Ravel’s ravishing orchestral masterpiece Piano Concerto in G Major. All under the baton of special guest conductor Shiyeon Sung, for an unforgettable concert experience.
Shiyeon Sung, Conductor
Alexandra Dariescu, Piano
Concert Program:
Ligeti – Concert Românesc
Ravel – Piano Concerto in G Major
Ravel – Alborado del gracioso
Debussy – La Mer
How to Order
There are several ways to register for a Symphonic Encounters Concert:
- Pay in full with a credit card: Click on your preferred date and time above to create an order. Orders placed online may be reassigned to ensure that groups are seated together.
- To pay a deposit, or to pay via cheque or cash. Please contact Customer Service at education@vancouversymphony.ca
A non-refundable deposit of 10% is required to secure space at your preferred concert. The full balance is due no later than three weeks in advance of the performance
Please Note:
Teachers and Support Staff, we kindly request you reach out to education@vancouversymphony.ca for arrangement of your free tickets alongside your students.
Everyone in attendance will be required to purchase a ticket. To arrange complimentary tickets for babies 6 months and under, please contact education@vancouversymphony.ca.
For information about the ArtStarts Cherniavsky’s Mr. Music Fund grants to schools to assist in purchasing student tickets, visit https://artstarts.com/cherniavsky
MAILING ADDRESS:
Education Department, Vancouver Symphony
500–833 Seymour Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 0G4
Safety Measures: For FAQ’s about Safety Measures, please click here and please see our information about the performance below. For a complete Communicable Disease Prevention Plan contact Education@vancouversymphony.ca
The Orpheum Theatre is a public space. Photos or Videos may be captured and used by the VSO for promotional or educational purposes.
We cannot guarantee that all of the listed repertoire will be rehearsed during the open rehearsal.
All rehearsals are held at the historic Orpheum Theatre in downtown Vancouver. Please use the Smithe Street entrance of the building upon arrival.
Approximately 2.5 hours. There are usually two pieces rehearsed per session, each one for about 1 hour with a 20-minute break in the middle.
All seating is in the balcony of the Orpheum Theatre and is assigned on a FIRST PAID IN FULL – BEST SEATING basis. Sending a deposit will hold the date for you and we will assign your seats upon receiving your complete payment.
Sorry, no cameras, video or tape recorders are permitted in the hall.
All tickets are $10.00 for education & community groups. For all other pricing please contact education@vancouversymphony.ca.
The ArtStarts Cherniavsky’s Mr. Music Fund offers grants to schools to assist in purchasing student tickets to classical music concerts and open rehearsals. For more information, visit https://artstarts.com/cherniavsky
Symphonic Encounters is an open rehearsal series, which means that attendees quietly observe the orchestra preparing for a regular season concert. Our suggested age range for this program is from grade 6 up to adults. Please contact the Education Assistant if you require any further advice on this matter.
Everyone in attendance will be required to purchase a ticket. Babies under 6 months of age can receive a complimentary ticket.
Program notes are available online the week of each rehearsal date. There are no printed programs available on the day of the rehearsal.
Doors open 30 minutes before the listed rehearsal time and we request that everyone be seated inside the auditorium 10 minutes before the rehearsal begins. Late comers will not be seated until an appropriate break in the rehearsal.
Full payment is required no later than 2 weeks before the rehearsal. You have the option of paying in full at the time of your registration or sending a non-refundable deposit to hold your preferred date with the balance to arrive 2 weeks prior to the rehearsal.
If you have a question that is not answered here, please call the Vancouver Symphony’s Education Department at 604.684.9100 or contact us by email at education@vancouversymphony.ca.
