Victoria Conservatory of Music

An Evening with MaMuse and the Gettin' Higher Choir
2024-06-14 19:00 - 21:30 (America/Vancouver) | Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 900 Johnson Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 3N4
Entrance for this show is on 900 Johnson Street

Wholeheartedly fed by the folk and gospel traditions, MaMuse (Sorah Nutting and Karisha Longaker) create uplifting music to inspire the world into thriving. Interweaving brilliant and haunting harmony with lyrics born of honed emotional intelligence, MaMuse invokes a musical presence that inspires the opening of the heart. Playing a family of varied acoustic instruments including upright bass, guitar, mandolins, ukulele, and flutes, these two powerful women embody a love for all life. The synergy that is created through this musical connection is palpable and truly moving to witness. They are joined on this tour by two fine musicians to round out the fabulous quartet.

Since 1996, the Gettin’ Higher Choir has been welcoming all voices and affirming singing as everyone’s birthright. They will bring a wide range of soul-nourishing songs, mostly a cappella, to this fundraising concert, their 25th annual concert to support development work and disaster relief efforts in Mozambique. The choir has loved the songs of MaMuse for many years, and they look forward to sharing the stage with them!

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.

String Faculty Recital
2024-06-15 15:00 - 16:30 | Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 900 Johnson Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 3N4
Admission by donation. Entry for this concert will be at the Victoria Conservatory of Music – 900 Johnson Street.

Victoria Conservatory of Music celebrates its 60th anniversary with Focus on Strings – A series of concerts featuring internationally renowned artists including the New Orford String Quartet (May 16), CelloFest: Paul Marleyn and Friends in Recital (May 17), and the Victoria Conservatory Strings Faculty Artists in Concert (June 15).
These concerts celebrate the work of Victoria Conservatory’s Founding Head of Strings Sydney Humphreys, and cellist James Hunter, who together with the Conservatory’s founding Principal, pianist Dr. Robin Wood, performed as Trio Victoria across Vancouver Island and throughout Western Canada, growing awareness of the newly founded Music Conservatory in Victoria, and the excellent quality of music instruction it would become nationally renowned for.
On June 15, come and hear members of our own Victoria Conservatory String Faculty performing some of the great ensemble works from the 18th, 19th, and 20th century.

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.

Adult Combo Showcase
2024-06-16 13:00 - 16:00 | Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 900 Johnson Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 3N4
Entrance to this event is at the Victoria Conservatory of Music at 900 Johnson Street. Admission is by donation.

An afternoon concert with six Adult Combo Groups playing music from Jazz to Contemporary classics, under the direction of Joey Smith.
Attendees are welcome to drop in and stay for the length of their preference. To honour the dedication and artistry of our student performers, we kindly ask guests to enter the venue during applause breaks between performances.
Interested in joining an Adult Combo group? Speak to our Front desk about finding the right fit and connecting you with Joey.

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.

An Evening with Art Napoleon, Hosted by Ry Moran
2024-06-21 18:30 - 19:30 | Robin & Winifred Wood Hall, 900 Johnson Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 3N4, Canada
Tickets are free, but limited so RSVP is required. Reserve your spot today!
Entry for this event in Wood Hall will be at the Victoria Conservatory of Music – 900 Johnson Street.

About the event

In celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day, join us for an evening of music and discussion with singer-songwriter Art Napoleon. As Art prepares to return to his home territories, the evening will be part conversation, part performance and part farewell. Hosted by Victoria Conservatory Guest Artist in Residence Ry Moran, Art will be sharing a number of his songs alongside reflections on his musical journey.

About Art Napoleon
Art Napoleon is host and co-producer of APTN’s popular show Moosemeat & Marmalade, an international food series that showcases Indigenous foods, traditional knowledge and outdoor cooking techniques.

This former chief is as comfortable on a big city stage or boardroom as he is skinning a moose in a hailstorm with a pocketknife. Art grew up in the boreal forests and mountains of Northern BC where he learned bush-skills including traditional plant use and outdoor cooking.

Art holds an MA in Language Revitalization from the University of Victoria, is a language educator and practices land based activities on a seasonal basis. Based in Victoria BC, Art remains connected to his home territory and his Cree and Dane Zaa roots.

When he is not producing TV, he tours regularly as a performer and speaker. His moose stew has been known to cure hangovers and his campfire tales have mended broken hearts…or so the stories go.

About Ry Moran

This school year, Ry Moran has assisted the Conservatory through a guest faculty appointment in Music and Reconciliation.

Over the last year, Ry has aimed to celebrate the role of music in advancing Truth and Reconciliation, while also helping explore the responsibilities carried by its implications for music centers like the Victoria Conservatory of Music in its mission of learning, performance, and wellness. At the same time, Ry has worked on an upcoming album, and be supported in the ongoing production of his podcast Taapwaywin.
The project is supported by the City of Victoria’s Music Strategy program.

A multi-instrumentalist, electronic music composer, podcaster, and member of the Red River Métis, Ry Moran is more often known as one of Canada’s central figures in Truth and Reconciliation. Growing up in Victoria, Ry moved Winnipeg in 2010 to serve as the Director of Statement Gathering for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. He then served as the founding Director of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) and is presently the Associate University Librarian – Reconciliation at the University of Victoria, the first of its kind in the country.

Ry’s passion for teaching, arts and music is abundant. His commitment to the principles of Truth and Reconciliation is unwavering.

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.

The Big IDEA: Sharing our music and telling our stories - Celebrate Pride!
2024-06-23 14:30 - 16:30 | Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 900 Johnson Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 3N4
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.

Opera Quest 2024 Presents: The Soldier and the Sea
2024-06-28 19:30 - 20:30 | Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 900 Johnson Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 3N4
Entry for this concert is at the Victoria Conservatory of Music – 900 Johnson Street.

About the event
An operatic exploration composed by Colin Doroschuk, and developed for the stage in creative collaboration with a cast of emerging Singers, Greek Chorus, Dancers, & Production Team. Learn more Opera Quest here.

Mythological Scenes from a Soldier’s Odyssey across the Sea
An Unknown Soldier, Ulysses, lying wounded on a foreign battlefield, enters a mythological No Man’s Land at the threshold between past and present; memory, dream and reality…The Soldier & The Sea presents several stages of his Odyssey as he searches to find his way back to his homeland…

Performed by:

Victoria Lachowska ……………Circe-Penelope

Daniela Agostino ……………….Calypso-Penelope

Julia Sloan ………………………..Athena-Penelope

Omar Iglesias …………………….Ulysses

Shelley Forrester ………………..The Oracle

Audrey Hamilton ………………. Fate 1, Syren

Amelia Croft ………………………Fate 2, Syren

Grace Lachlan ……………………Fate 3, Syren

Jill Forrester ………………………Choral Euriclea

Steve Barker ………………………Choral Cyclops

Christian Sauvageau ………….Choral Ulysses

Brooke Gallupe ………………….Bass

Luke Kozlowski ………………….Drums, Percussion

Robert Holliston ………………..Piano, Synthesizer

Colin Doroschuk: ………………Synths, Piano, Guitars

Compositional Director: Colin Doroschuk

Choreographic Director: Julia Sloan

Technical Visual Coordinator: Kyron Basu

The Victoria Conservatory of Music’s OperaQuest program is generously supported by RBC Foundation.

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.

Strings Summer Intensive Program – Week 1 - Chamber Groups + Cello Ensemble
2024-07-05 17:00 - 18:00 | Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 900 Johnson Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 3N4
Admission by donation. Entry for this concert will be at the Victoria Conservatory of Music – 900 Johnson Street.

Come and hear chamber works that the students of the Strings Summer Intensive Program have prepared over the course of the week, and stay for some guest appearances by our stellar faculty. This is the first of two concerts presented by the students in the strings Summer Intensive Program.

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.

Strings Summer Intensive Program – Final Concert, Week 1
2024-07-06 14:30 - 15:30 | Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 900 Johnson Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 3N4
Admission by donation. Entry for this concert will be at the Victoria Conservatory of Music – 900 Johnson Street.

Come and hear String students celebrate the end of the week with a performance!

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.

Strings Summer Intensive Program – Week 2 - Chamber Groups + Cello Ensemble
2024-07-11 17:00 - 18:00 | Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 900 Johnson Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 3N4

Strings Summer Intensive Program – Final Concert, Week 2
2024-07-12 14:30 - 15:30 | Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 900 Johnson Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 3N4

A Musical Bouquet, Baroque Summer Intensive Program Faculty Concert
2024-07-16 19:30 - 21:30 | Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 900 Johnson Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 3N4
Entry for this concert is at the Victoria Conservatory of Music – 900 Johnson Street.

About this event

Faculty members of the Baroque Summer Intensive Program bring you a gathering of vivid and enchanting musical flowers, from perennial favourites by Bach and Vivaldi to lesser-known treasures by Barbara Strozzi and others. Join members of Victoria Baroque, Pacific Baroque Orchestra, and early music specialists from across North America for this uplifting summertime concert.

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.

Small Ensemble Final Concert; Chamber Ensembles, Baroque Summer Intensive Program
2024-07-19 17:00 - 18:00 | Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 900 Johnson Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 3N4
Entry for this concert is at the Victoria Conservatory of Music – 900 Johnson Street. Admission by donation.

The Baroque Summer Intensive Program concludes with a festival of three concerts of chamber music, arias, opera scenes, orchestral, and choral music. These final concerts spotlight the students and give them a chance to play side-by-side with faculty mentors.

Friday, July 19 at 5:00pm: Small Ensemble Final Concert; Chamber Ensembles

Friday, July 19 at 7:30pm: Small Ensemble Final Concert; Arias and Opera Scenes

Saturday, July 20 at 2:30pm: Large Ensemble Final Concert

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.

Small Ensemble Final Concert; Arias and Opera Scenes, Baroque Summer Intensive Program
2024-07-19 19:30 - 20:30 | Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 900 Johnson Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 3N4

Large Ensemble Final Concert, Baroque Summer Intensive Program
2024-07-20 14:30 - 15:30 | Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 900 Johnson Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 3N4

Cabaret Summer Intensive Program – Final Concert
2024-07-27 19:00 - 20:00 | Robin & Winifred Wood Hall, 900 Johnson Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 3N4, Canada
Admission by donation. Entry for this concert will be at the Victoria Conservatory of Music – 900 Johnson Street.

Join the Cabaret class for an evening of entertainment from the early days of the 20th century! With songs from the bars of Paris, the underground clubs of Berlin, and the music halls of London, the show gives a glimpse into a bygone era when social satire was wrapped in elegant melodies!

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.

Choral Summer Intensive Program Final Concert Featuring the Emily Carr String Quartet
2024-08-17 19:00 - 20:00 | Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 900 Johnson Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 3N4
Entry for this concert is at the Victoria Conservatory of Music – 900 Johnson Street.

About this event

Experience music performed by singers of the Victoria Conservatory Choral Summer Intensive Program and Emily Carr String Quartet. This hour-long concert will feature a wide variety of repertoire for choir and strings by composers J.S. Bach, Gabriel Fauré, Ola Gjeilo, James Mulholland, and Katerina Gimon.

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.

Winds & Brass Summer Intensive Program Faculty Concert
2024-08-19 12:45 - 13:45 | Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 900 Johnson Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 3N4
Admission by donation. Entry for this concert will be at the Victoria Conservatory of Music – 900 Johnson Street.

Join us for a fun chamber music concert featuring faculty from the Winds & Brass Summer Intensive Program. This casual concert is perfect for the whole family and a great opportunity to hear a wide variety of music performed on woodwind & brass instruments.

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.

Winds & Brass Summer Intensive Program – Final Celebration Concert
2024-08-23 15:00 - 16:00 | Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 900 Johnson Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 3N4
Admission by donation. Entry for this concert will be at the Victoria Conservatory of Music – 900 Johnson Street.

After a fun-filled week of music education and enrichment in the Summer Winds & Brass Intensive, come hear what our students have been working on as they perform chamber and small ensemble music for friends and family.

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.

String Orchestras Open House
2024-08-24 11:00 - 13:00 | Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 900 Johnson Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 3N4
This event is free but registration is required to participate.
Register here.

Come and experience playing in a large string ensemble! On Saturday, August 24, come and join Conservatory faculty, students from the Collegium, the Victoria Conservatory Chamber Orchestra, Intermediate Orchestra, and Introductory Orchestra, as well as the various Cello Ensembles and the Sinfonia, to gather to sight read together (repertoire will be provided at the event, no need to prepare anything in advance). After experiencing the joy of playing in a large ensemble, check out which ensemble might be right for you, and register for the Fall term which begins on September 3rd. This event is open to anyone who plays violin, viola, cello, or bass!

NOTE: The entrance to this event in Alix Goolden Performance Hall is at 900 Johnson Street.

Postsecondary Thursday Lunch Concert (Faculty)
2024-09-05 12:30 - 13:30 | Robin & Winifred Wood Hall, 900 Johnson Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 3N4, Canada
Entrance to this event is at the Victoria Conservatory of Music at 900 Johnson Street. Free admission.

Come join us for the first Thursday Lunch Concert of the new school year!

This concert will feature faculty of the Postsecondary programs.

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.

Free trial class! Ukulele for Fun! Kids Sing & Strum
2024-09-21 12:00 - 13:00 | Victoria Conservatory of Music – Westhills, Langford, 1314 – Lakepoint Way, Langford, British Columbia, V9B 0S2
Saturday, September 21 @ 12:00-1:00pm. This is a free, drop-in event at our Langford location in Studio 1.
Parents and Students will be able to view and or play some of the music in a sample classroom, and information period. Find out if your child may be interested in this delightful instrument!
This event is sponsored by Culture Days.

About Ukulele for Fun! group classes
Three class sessions are open for registration now! Register here.
Session 1- Sept 7 to Oct 26
Session 2- Nov 2 to Dec 21
Session 3- Jan 11 to Feb 22

Students ages 7-11 years, will learn how to play the ukulele in a fun encouraging environment and learn to accompany themselves or others while singing. Players will learn chords, timing, strums, picking, introductions and endings. Singing is optional but encouraged. Many of the skills are later transferable to the guitar! There will be a range of musical styles. Playing in a large group is fun!

Postsecondary Thursday Lunch Concert
2024-09-26 12:30 - 13:30, 2024-10-10 12:30 - 13:30, 2024-10-24 12:30 - 13:30 | Robin & Winifred Wood Hall, 900 Johnson Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 3N4, Canada
Entrance to this event in Wood Hall is at the Victoria Conservatory of Music at 900 Johnson Street. Free admission.

Come join us as the Postsecondary students share their musical works-in progress!

Ranging from Bach to Zepplin and beyond, these free concerts bring together fellow students and the public, to share in the joy of music.

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.

Songs for Truth and Reconciliation
2024-09-29 14:00 - 15:30 | Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 900 Johnson Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 3N4
Admission is free with an RSVP ticket. All are welcome.
The entrance to this event in Alix Goolden Performance Hall is at the Victoria Conservatory of Music entrance at 900 Johnson Street.

About the event

Join us at the Victoria Conservatory of Music for a special event in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Hosted by Ry Moran, performing artists include čačumḥi aaron m. wells, mezzo soprano Marion Newman Nege’ga, Conservatory mentor Hip Hop artists Nicole Ermineskin (Nikky E) and Alex Taylor-McCallum, and student Naomi Triebwasser (Nenagwas).

Survivor Elder Dr. Barney Williams, a former member of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Survivors Circle, will offer a public address.

Cash donations will be accepted at the entrance to the hall with proceeds going to support local Indigenous organizations and initiatives.

About Ry Moran

Since 2023, Ry Moran has assisted the Conservatory through a guest faculty appointment in Music and Reconciliation. He aims to celebrate the role of music in advancing Truth and Reconciliation, while also helping explore the responsibilities carried by music centers like the Victoria Conservatory in its mission of learning, performance, and wellness. At the same time, Ry has continued work on an album and the ongoing production of his podcast Taapwaywin. The project is supported by the City of Victoria’s Music Strategy program and an Operating Grant from the CRD.

A multi-instrumentalist, electronic music composer, podcaster, and member of the Red River Métis, Ry is more often known as one of Canada’s central figures in Truth and Reconciliation. Growing up in Victoria Ry moved Winnipeg in 2010 to serve as the Director of Statement Gathering for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. He then served as the founding Director of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) and is presently the Associate University Librarian – Reconciliation at the University of Victoria, the first of its kind in the country.

Ry’s passion for teaching, arts and music is abundant. His commitment to the principles of Truth and Reconciliation is unwavering.

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.

The Glasswing Tour Experience - The Fretless
2024-10-05 19:30 - 21:30 | Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 900 Johnson Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 3N4
Entrance for this show is on 900 Johnson Street

Discover the Magic of The Fretless Live: The Glasswing Tour

Prepare to be captivated by the electrifying energy of The Fretless, a Canadian quartet renowned for their Juno award-winning talent and ground-breaking sound. With their latest album, Glasswing, set to release on September 13th, The Fretless invites you to embark on a decade-long musical journey encapsulated in ten original compositions, including three mesmerizing tracks co-written and performed with the phenomenal Madeleine Roger.

The Glasswing Tour (featuring Madeleine Roger) promises a live performance like no other, transforming the traditional concert experience into a theatrical masterpiece. This tour is not just about the music – it’s an immersive adventure that intertwines auditory splendour with stunning visual artistry. The performance has been meticulously crafted, featuring collaborations with world-class theatrical set and lighting designers to create a harmonious blend of sound and sight.

Every detail is thoughtfully considered to elevate the concert into a multi-sensory spectacle, ensuring an unforgettable evening for all who attend. Don’t miss your chance to witness The Fretless’ innovative and genre-defying performance – a celebration of music, creativity, and artistry that will leave you spellbound.

Secure your tickets now and be part of an extraordinary musical odyssey with The Fretless!

The Mystery of the Ookpik
2024-10-19 13:30 - 17:00 | British Columbia
Entrance for this concert in the Wood Hall is at 900 Johnson Street

Attendance is limited so please reserve your ticket to attend. Tickets are offered as free with donations at the Door OR Pay What You Can.

Bring your instruments, there will be a Jam right after the screening.

Canadian fiddler Frankie Rodgers composed Ookpik Waltz in 1965. By the early 1970s, it had lost its title, its composer was unknown, and fiddlers around North America had invented a mythical provenance for it, based on Hollywood’s inaccurate portrayals of Native American and First Nations’ music.

The Mystery of the Ookpik restores credit to Frankie Rodgers and his rich performing and recording career. It shows how his Ukrainian heritage colored his composition and performance of Ookpik Waltz. It explains his move to New Zealand, after Canadian radio’s adherence to American broadcast trends left him without an audience. It details how Ookpik Waltz entered the fiddle contest scene, and how it was folk processed so that Rodgers’ original recording is viewed as “wrong” by contemporary audiences.

Joe Weed, Producer and Director of The Mystery of the Ookpik, has released seven albums of his own, produced many projects for independent artists and labels, and composes scores for film, TV, and museums. Ken Burns features one of Joe’s compositions in his 2023 documentary “The American Buffalo,” broadcast nationally on PBS, as well as in “The Mayo Clinic,” also broadcast on PBS.

Joe produced and directed “The Waltz to Westphalia,” a 55-minute documentary film that tells the fascinating story of a Polish folk song’s metamorphosis into an American country fiddle classic, known in the US as “The Westphalia Waltz.” An expert on the life and music of Stephen Foster, he produced “Swanee, The Music of Stephen Foster.” Combining his research, storytelling, and musicianship, he has informed and inspired audiences on both sides of the Pacific about America’s first professional songwriter. In 2018, Joe released “Two Steps West of the Mississippi,” a collection of his original instrumental music based on American fiddle roots. He continues to produce acoustic music at his Highland Studios near Los Gatos, California.

For more information see The Victoria Fiddle Society victoriafiddlesociety.com/

Margaret Abbott Memorial English Art Song Competition
2024-10-23 17:00 - 21:00 | Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 900 Johnson Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 3N4
Entrance to this event in Alix Goolden Performance Hall is at 900 Johnson Street. Admission by Donation.

As the duration of the concert may vary depending on the number of participants, attendees are welcome to drop in and stay for the length of their preference. To honour the dedication and artistry of our student performers, we kindly ask guests to enter the venue during applause breaks between performances. Let us come together to support these aspiring musicians on their journey.

Voice Competitions

The Classical Voice Department offers six annual Song Competitions for current students of the Victoria Conservatory of Music to perform, compete, and receive feedback from renowned and respected adjudicators.

First and Second Prizes as well as Honourable Mentions are available to be awarded for each competition. Spirit of Song awards may also be given at the discretion of the adjudicators.

View the list of Voice Competitions here.

About the English Art Song Competition

The Classical Voice department provides this opportunity for current students with their instructors recommendation to perform English Art Songs. (NB: Seniors only – two songs competitive option*, one song non-competitive.)

First and Second Prizes as well as Honourable Mentions are available to be awarded for each competition, and for the Annual Margaret Abbott Memorial English Art Song Competition up to $3,000 in scholarship funding is available to be awarded to participants in the Junior, Intermediate, and Senior divisions.

Student participants perform in Alix Goolden Performance Hall and receive feedback from adjudicators.

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.

Music and Death
2024-10-31 12:30 - 13:30 | Robin & Winifred Wood Hall, 900 Johnson Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 3N4, Canada
Entrance to this event in Wood Hall is at the Victoria Conservatory of Music at 900 Johnson Street. Free admission.

A discussion of music and its roles in death rituals

Are you curious about the role of music in rituals of death and dying? Music is an evocative medium that is used cross-culturally to care for the ancestors, channel the grief of the living, and ponder our mortality and place in the world.

Join us for a discussion and sharing of music and the expressions of music from around the world used in the rites and experiences of death, dying and remembrance. Hosted by Nicole Kilburn, Program Leader, Archaeology Field Assistant and Instructor of Anthropology at Camosun College and David Visentin, Associate Dean of Postsecondary Studies (Victoria Conservatory of Music).

Read the October 28, 2024, Times Colonist interview with Nicole Kilburn here: https://www.timescolonist.com/life/ghosts-costumes-and-carving-pumpkins-the-roots-of-halloween-customs-9721007

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.

Tower of Song: A Creative Tribute to Leonard Cohen
2024-11-02 19:00 - 21:00 | Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 900 Johnson Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 3N4
Entrance for this concert in the Alix Goolden Performance Hall is at 900 Johnson Street

Featuring Oliver Swain, Glenna Garramone, Daniel Lapp & Adrian Dolan
“I said to Hank Williams, how lonely does it get?
Hank Williams hasn’t answered yet.
But I hear him coughing all night long,
A hundred floors above me, in the Tower of Song”

When Leonard Cohen sang these words, the Tower of Song was a metaphor for the inspiration that flows between songwriters, each toiling away on their own, but connected by their shared craft. Moved by this concept, celebrated BC singer-songwriters Oliver Swain and Glenna Garramone collaborated to produce a project that is a dialogue through song and a tribute to the legendary songwriter. Reimagining both rare and classic works of Cohen, the duo have crafted a sound that resonates with both longtime Cohen fans and a younger audience.

Tower of Song began as a one-off tribute night for a packed house at Vancouver’s The Media Club and has since grown into a nationally touring folk duo. Produced by Garramone, she invited fellow Victoria musician (Juno nominated) Oliver Swain, and the show gave Swain and Garramone the chance to grow their musical chemistry. Together as Tower of Song the two have arranged some of Cohen’s timeless songs beautifully, for two voices, string bass, piano, guitar and banjo. Encouraged by the audience response, Tower of Song put “more power in the tower,” recording their debut album In City and In Forest, with Juno award winning producer Joby Baker. They have since toured several times across BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec, playing more than 200 shows to thousands of people at theatres, festivals and folk clubs across Canada. Highlights include a mainstage performance at the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival, West End Cultural Centre (Winnipeg), Aeolian Hall (London), the Rotary Centre for the Arts (Kelowna), and the Dave Dunnet Theatre (Victoria).

“The tunes are hauntingly lovely. Wonderful takes with close harmonies and violent re-rhythmings. Musically sound. Faithful by being strongly, creatively Cohen, and yet
wholly their own.” James N. Porter, Professor Emeritus (Arts), York University.
