Vancouver Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra Celebrates Next Generation of Classical Stars in CONCERTO EXTRAVAGANZA

The Vancouver Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra (VAMSO) season begins with Concerto Extravaganza, an inspirational showcase of young, upcoming talent, on October 16, 2016, 2pm at the Orpheum Theatre. This concert celebration will feature the six winners of the 2016 Orpheum Theatre Concerto Competition, some of BC's best & brightest musicians, performing masterful solo works backed by the more than 100 VAMSO instrumentalists.

"Since launching the bi-annual Orpheum Theatre Concerto Competition in 2014, we continue to be overwhelmed by the dedication and enthusiasm of participants. This year, we were delighted to welcome nearly 60 contenders at VAM," says Joseph Elworthy, Executive Director of the Vancouver Academy of Music. "The six frontrunners were chosen for conquering iconic and demanding repertoire with sensational skill, command, and artistic sensibility beyond their years. We look forward to honouring these next generation stars by spotlighting them front and centre at the Orpheum Theatre on the same stage that has hosted many musical luminaries throughout the years, with support by the full academy orchestra under the baton of conductor Leslie Dala."

The successful musicians from the 2016 Orpheum Theatre Concerto Competition hail from across the Greater Vancouver region, and represent students from VAM itself and outside faculties:

• Corina Deng is the youngest of the winners at eight-years-old; the First Prize Winner of the 2015 Canadian Music Competition will perform de Beriot's violin masterpiece, Scene de Ballet.
• Tony Nan (age 19), a previous winner of the Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, will share the first movement of Haydn's Oboe Concerto.
• Alison Kim (age 17), a recent winner of Italy's Casalmaggiore International Festival Gabora Prize, will perform movement one of Bartok's Violin Concerto No. 2.
• Flutist Esther Kwon (age 19), a student of McGill University's Schulich School of Music and former pupil of Vancouver's own Mark McGregor, will share Bizet's Fantasie Brillante.
• Henry From (age 12), who made his recent orchestral debut at the Biennial Conference of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, will master the first movement of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3.
• Ryan Zhu (age 13) - whose Carnegie Hall debut happened at 10-years-old - will offer Liszt's Piano Concerto No. 1.

Setting a triumphant tone, VAMSO will commence the program with Aaron Copland's jubilant Fanfare for the Common Man and close with Arturo Márquez's colourful Danzon No. 2.

The 2016 Orpheum Theatre Concerto Competition was held over three days last June. Promising BC musicians descended on VAM to demonstrate their mastery before a distinguished panel of judges: Dr. Julia Nolan, internationally renowned saxophonist and esteemed faculty member of the UBC School of Music; Marcel Bergmann, award-winning recitalist of the Bergmann Piano duo and avid composer & lecturer; and Yuel Yawny, founding violinist of the Borealis String Quartet regularly called to serve as coach at festivals all over the world.

About Vancouver Academy of Music (vam.ca)
Founded in 1969, the Vancouver Academy of Music (VAM) is a non-profit institution that has been spreading a love of learning and musical excellence for generations of aspiring musicians. Located minutes away from downtown, VAM's spacious facility features teaching studios, expansive classrooms, a library, and two recital halls - all set against the scenic backdrop of Vanier Park. VAM's fundamental purpose is to explore the transformative power of music through fostering an inclusive learning environment led by a team of devoted faculty with strong professional backgrounds. From Early Childhood Education to adult learning, VAM delivers world-class music education to students of all ages and abilities. In addition to private lessons and class instruction, VAM students engage with world-renowned visiting artists in master classes, cooperate with other national and international music education organizations, and participate in numerous performances and competitions.

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