The Big IDEA: Sharing our music and telling our stories – Celebrate Pride!

Obtain your tickets for The Big IDEA: Celebrate Pride! event. Tickets are offered for free or pay what you can.

Entry for this concert will be at the Victoria Conservatory of Music – 900 Johnson Street.

Sunday, June 23 – Celebrate Pride!

Conservatory faculty who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ community members or allies present an afternoon of music to celebrate the contributions of 2SLGBTQIA+ composers, arrangers, or performers. Celebrate Pride! is the culmination of our initiative, The Big IDEA: Sharing our music and telling our stories. A panel of guests will participate in a discussion about the importance of having pride in the significant contributions 2SLGBTQIA+ artists have made to our community and beyond!

Faculty and Special Guest Musical Performers

Camilo Aybar, Dr. Jack Edwards, and Patricia Kostek
Trio No. 2 in C Minor by Camilo Aybar

Dr. Jack Edwards and Marsha Elliott-Edwards
Blossom, a world premiere of a new duo for flute and saxophone, specifically written for both Jack and Marsha and for the Big IDEA event!

Alex Chen and Robert Holliston
Now Sleeps The Crimson Petal by Roger Quilter; Sure On This Shining Night by Samuel Barber; Love’s Philosophy by Roger Quilter

Wes Carroll Confabulation
‘Put it On’ and ‘Capitalocene’

Conservatory Chat

2SLGBTQIA+ artists have made such important contributions to the Conservatory culture, our local community, and beyond. Panelists will discuss some of those contributions as well as the importance of celebrating pride in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. As the final part in our inaugural Conservatory Chat series, this discussion will inform or confirm attendees’ understanding the important presence 2SLGBTQIA+ people have in our artistic community. After exploring the fundamental topics of allyship and unconscious bias, followed by hope, celebrating Pride is the perfect way to wrap up our inaugural Conservatory Chat series!

This conversation is moderated by Dr. Jack Edwards.

Special Guests

Ace Mann, originally from the K’ómoks First Nation and now living on the Coast Salish Territories, is a lifelong queer advocate who has volunteered in GSRD spaces for over 20 years and currently serves as President of the Victoria Pride Society, striving to enhance community focus, transparency, and engagement.

Geri Kramer is a transgender tattoo artist who, since coming out in early 2020, has infused her artwork with authenticity, valuing client collaboration, and blending traditional bold lines with illustrative textures, while advocating for inclusivity in the tattoo community.

The Big IDEA: Sharing our music and telling our stories

A series of three events including musical performances and conversation in creating a more inclusive and equitable music space. These uplifting and informative, faculty forward events focus on the principles of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) through the lens of the vibrant 2SLGBTQIA+ community. These events are offered through support from the City of Victoria.

Venue Accessibility

The 900 Johnson Street entrance is at ground-level and wheelchair accessible. There is an elevator located on the first floor: as you enter the building go down the ramp to your right and the elevator is on the left at the bottom. Priority seating can be provided at concerts if you have accessibility issues; please contact the Venues Department . Wheelchair accessible restrooms are located on the main floor, beside the lobby in the Reception and Registration area.