ABOUT VSOI
FACULTY | REPERTOIRE | CONCERTO COMPETITION | CONDUCTING RESIDENCIES | ADMINISTRATION
THE VANCOUVER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAL INSTITUTE will offer students a once-in-a-lifetime comprehensive, and nurturing orchestral training program. Our faculty is comprised of musicians from the renowned Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of VSO Music Director, Maestro Otto Tausk. Musical opportunities will abound, as all of our students play in the Institute Orchestra, rehearse and perform in chamber ensembles, and participate in masterclasses and repertoire classes with our outstanding faculty. The VSOI offers fantastic performance opportunities including student and faculty recitals, a concerto competition, as well as chamber music performances in truly unique settings. The entire Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is in residence during the VSOI for a series of concerts. Students can observe rehearsals from a seat on-stage and enjoy relaxing concerts after a great day of music making. The VSOI will culminate with indoor and outdoor performances by the Institute Orchestra in iconic Vancouver settings including the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at the University of British Columbia, one of Canada’s finest concert halls.
FACULTY
The Institute Orchestra will be directed by Maestro Otto Tausk, Music Director of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. VSO Institute instrumental faculty are musicians in the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. All faculty members are outstanding performers and teachers with diverse backgrounds in orchestral and chamber music.
MEET OUR FACULTY
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REPERTOIRE
At the Institute, you will experience some of the finest orchestral and chamber repertoire, as well as repertoire and orchestral excerpts specific and significant to your instrument.
2019 INSTITUTE ORCHESTRA REPERTOIRE
Mussorgsky (Orch. Ravel) Pictures at an Exhibition
Mussorgsky Night on Bald Mountain
Shostakovich Symphony No. 5
Prokofiev The Love for Three Oranges – March
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2019 CONCERTO COMPETITION
The VSOI Concerto Competition will once again take place this summer! The grand prize winner will perform as a soloist with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in concert. Up to 5 runners-up will perform as soloists during the UBC Chamber Orchestra Festival, taking place in July.
Eligibility: All students accepted to VSOI 2019 are invited to apply.
To Apply:On your VSOI registration form, please indicate that you plan to participate in the Concerto Competition. Please also confirm your participation in the UBC Chamber Orchestra Festival. A $50 registration fee will apply.
Preliminary Round: Applicants must submit a video recording via YouTube to the VSOI. Videos must be of repertoire from the list provided, unedited, continuous, and with accompaniment. More information will be available when applications open for 2020.
Finalists: In advance of the VSOI, up to 6 finalists will be announced. The top three ranked finalists will be invited to perform, with piano, during the institute to compete for the Grand Prize. The Grand Prize winner will perform as a soloist with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and remaining finalists will perform as soloists during the UBC Chamber Orchestra Festival.
Repertoire: Applicants must select and perform a concerto from the VSOI Concerto Competition Repertoire List. Please prepare and perform the movement(s) specified. Please note repertoire changes are not permitted once videos have been submitted. Performances at the VSOI and UBC Chamber Orchestra Festival may include entire concertos or selected movements, at the discretion of faculty.
The jury for the VSOI Concerto Competition will be comprised of Maestro Otto Tausk and VSOI faculty. All decisions of the jury are final. Concerto Competition finalists invited to perform during the Chamber Orchestra Festival will be required to register for the festival and participate as a member of the orchestra as well as a concerto finalist.
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CONDUCTING RESIDENCIES
The VSOI invites applications from conductors in a pre-professional career stage. During the VSOI, conducting residents will be mentored by Maestros Tausk and Girard, actively observe and assist in Institute Orchestra rehearsals, coach chamber ensembles, and serve as conducting fellows of the UBC Chamber Orchestra Festival where they will work in close collaboration with concerto winners and Maestro Girard.
Please note, up to five conducting residents will be chosen for the UBC Chamber Orchestra Festival. Of those selected, two will be invited to also participate in the VSO Institute. Any individuals not selected for the residency are welcome to audit both the VSO Institute and the UBC Chamber Orchestra Festival as a conductor.
For further details on a conducting residency during the UBC Chamber Orchestra Festival, please visit https://music.ubc.ca/chamber-orchestra-festival/. In addition, conductors will have an invaluable opportunity to observe the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in rehearsals and performances during the Institute.
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ADMINISTRATION
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestral Institute is managed by the Vancouver Symphony’s Education & Community Programs Department. To read about the VSO’s Education & Community Programs, please visit our website:
www.vancouversymphony.ca/education/
CONTACT US DIRECTLY VIA EMAIL :
Director of Education & Community Programs
Artistic Operations & Education Assistant
Community Engagement Specialist