SYMPHONIC ENCOUNTERS
The VSO’s open rehearsal program, Symphonic Encounters, takes students and teachers 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, we also offer the following activities for you and your students:
Meet the Artist: During the break, VSO Music Director Otto Tausk or the visiting guest artist 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.
Please note that the suggested age range for this program is from grade 6 up to adults.
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Order Symphonic Encounters Rehearsals Online
READ FIRST:
- Groups may choose to pay the full balance at the time of purchase or a non-refundable 10% deposit in order to secure space at your preferred concert. Best-available seating is then assigned to groups in order of receipt of full payment; once the full balance is received (deadline of three weeks in advance of the performance), your group will be assigned seating.
- The maximum number of tickets available for purchase online for Symphonic Encounters events is 349. If you would like to purchase more than 349 tickets, please place an order online, and then contact education@vancouversymphony.ca to add more tickets to your order. In your message, please specify the TOTAL number of adult and student tickets required. This will ensure your whole group will be seated together.
- Please disregard the seat numbers displayed in your cart when you check out. Seating for Symphonic Encounters rehearsals will be assigned approximately two weeks prior to the concert. Seating is assigned in the order of full payment.
- To complete and mail in a form instead, please download the order form and follow the mailing instructions on the form.
2019-2020 Rehearsal Dates
October 18, 10:00AM – 12:30PM
TAUSK CONDUCTS DVORÁK’S NEW WORLD SYMPHONY
Gorgeous folk songs and music from the New World combine in this cornucopia of well-known melodies. Plus Barber’s Adagio for Strings, a work rendered famous by none other than the VSO in the soundtrack to Oliver Stone’s film Platoon.
November 22, 10:00AM – 12:30PM
MOZART REQUIEM AND SCHUBERT UNFINISHED
Maestro Tausk tickles our curiosity with two famously unfinished works that beg the question: what might have come next? Schubert’s Symphony No. 8 seems perfect in its abbreviated imperfection. Perhaps he knew that, leaving the work to write a number of other pieces. Mozart’s haunting final work was left sketched but incomplete at his death, commissioned by a mysterious count.
January 17 , 11:00AM – 2:00PM
SINGIN’ THE BLUES FROM BILLIE HOLIDAY TO BOB DYLAN
Juno-winning Chilliwack native Bria Skonberg is the real deal. From Billie Holiday to Bob Dylan, this rising star multi-award winning vocalist and trumpeter puts her spin on classic American music earning her accolades far and wide. With a voice compared to Anita O’Day and trumpet chops reminiscent of Louis Armstrong, New York-based Skonberg brings her energy and fantastic music to the VSO for two nights only.
February 7, 11:00AM – 1:30PM
CARMEN: SOUNDS OF SPAIN
Maestro Tausk takes us on a musical tour of Spain with two works from Manuel de Falla and Bizet’s beloved Carmen Suite No. 1. Rising Canadian- Tunisian vocal star Rihab Chaieb will captivate you and de Falla’s comic ballet will have you dancing in the aisles. Viva la música!
March 6, 10:00AM – 12:30PM
THE BEETHOVEN EXPERIENCE: BEETHOVEN THE MODERNIST
As accolades pile up around the world, Alina Ibragimova continues to humbly and steadfastly go about her craft making music immediate and accessible. Hear her VSO debut in Shostakovich’s riveting first Violin Concerto. Plus, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 with Tausk and the VSO. What could be better? Part of the Masterworks Diamond series.
Thursday, March 26, 2020, 10am
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
The Big Apple, known for its teeming cityscape, was the inspiration for many great artists. We spend time with Bernstein, Gershwin and Copland to get a New York state of mind.
Thursday, April 23, 2020, 10am
MOZART AND RIMSKY-KORSAKOV
Elim Chan, one of the most vibrant young conductors on the scene today partners with Sergei Babayan, mentor of Trifonov and Argerich collaborator, for an impeccable Mozart. If those names are new to you, trust us — you are in for a treat.
Wednesday, April 29, 2020, 10am
MUSICAL AMERICA: BERNSTEIN, GERSHWIN, PREVIN
Over the last three decades London- based conductor and organist Wayne Marshall has earned a reputation for making any orchestra feel like it can really play jazz. In this program he takes us on a tour of musical America with composers who could put a foot on either side of the jazz/classical divide. Don’t miss Marshall’s ferocious talent as he does double duty with the baton and piano.
Thursday, May 21, 2020, 10am
ROMAN CARNIVAL
The Pines of Rome set the stage for an afternoon of Italian drama with Respighi, Berlioz, and Donizetti.