GIVEAWAY Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra Celebrates 95 Years

Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra (VYSO) is hosting their 95th Anniversary Concert on May 18th at The Orpheum – and you can enter to win tickets.

Founded in 1930, VYSO is one of the oldest youth orchestras in Canada, and this concert is also memorable in that it marks their return to The Orpheum for the first time in 20 years.

Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra Celebrates 95 Years

• Date: Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 2:00pm
• Location: The Orpheum Theatre (601 Smithe, Vancouver)
• Tickets: Available online now starting at $19.75.

The concert features all 280 current musicians from across the four orchestra divisions, making it a rare opportunity to see the full range of one of Canada’s most historic youth orchestras. Marking her return to the VYSO for the special occasion is guest soloist and alumna Joanna G’froerer, the Principal Flutist of the prestigious National Arts Centre Orchestra. 

Celebrated theatre actor and director Christopher Gaze will introduce the program, which will include combined pieces from the foundational Debut and Junior Orchestras: Coast Salish Anthem arranged by William Rowson pays tribute to Indigenous musical traditions, and the theme from How to Train Your Dragon brings a much-loved fun and whimsical piece to life. The more advanced Intermediate and Senior Orchestras will perform the cinematic Sky Chase by the late Bramwell Tovey, who composed the piece specifically for the VYSO. Joanna G’froerer will perform Flute Concerto, Op. 8 by Otar Gordeli alongside the Senior Orchestra. 

G’froerer’s performance carries special significance for the VYSO family, as the daughter of the late Brian G’froerer, a distinguished horn player formerly with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and himself a VYSO alumnus. In addition to his time as a student, Brian later returned to the VYSO as a dedicated brass coach, sharing his expertise with younger generations. 

The anniversary event will also feature a photo slideshow with memorable moments from the past 95 years of the organization’s history. 

Enter to Win

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