Welcome to our Media Centre,
This center was created to provide important information about the Victoria Conservatory of Music. Reporters, producers, editors and bloggers, either online, print or broadcast, will find news releases and media advisories from our organization here. You will also find news and information on joint initiatives with our many VCM partners.
This center is here to help you with your stories and make it as easy as we can for you.
The VCM delivers an exceptional musical experience whether it be learning, performing, composing, music therapy, music technology or audio engineering.
If you are an editor, producer, anchor, or reporter, please contact:
Tereza Anderson
Director of Marketing
P: 250.386.5311
anderson@vcm.bc.ca
Sandra Hudson
PR & Marketing
sandra@sandrahudsoncomm.com
Additional Resources:
If you would like to use the VCM logo, please contact Erin Fraser, Marketing Coordinator
The following news releases are both viewable on their respective pages and downloadable in PDF format.
Victoria Conservatory of Music Press Releases
2020/2021 School Year
VCM Home for Christmas 2020 Press Release
VCM Joy of Life 2020 Press Release
2019/2020 School Year
VCM Keep Music Growing 2020 Press Release
VCM Spark to Flame Press Release 2020
VCM Board of Governors Press Release 2020
VCM Ensemble Made In Canada 2020 Press Release
VCM Home For Christmas Concerts 2019 Press Release
VCM Eric & Shirley Charman Young Musicians Bursary Announcement 2019
VCM Open House 2019 Press Release
2018/2019 School Year
VCM Student Achievements BC Festival 2019 Press Release
VCM Save the Steinway 2019 Press Release
VCM Mothers Day Musical Garden Tour 2019 Press Release
VCM Joy of Life 2019 Press Release
VCM Chamber Series New Orford String Quartet 2019
VCM Spark to Flame 2019 Press Release
VCM Daniel Lapps Home For Christmas 2018 Press Release
VCM ChoirKids Giving Tuesday 2018 Press Release
Past Press Releases
Ed Chwyl and Family Presented with AFP’s 2014 Generosity of Spirit Award
Victoria Conservatory of Music Partners with Canadian Music Centre BC Region
Victoria Conservatory of Music Offers Free Music Lessons and Free Concerts – Open House 2014
Alix Goolden Performance Hall Wins Award for
Top Live Music Venue
Soundbeam Award-Winning Composer Announces New Album Release: “The Lion’s Roar”
iPod Pharmacy on Vancouver Island
Victoria Conservatory of Music – Media Gallery
VCM IN THE NEWS
2020/2021 School Year News
Music producer joins conservatory
Home for Christmas CTV Arts & Entertainment Feature (starts at 36:55)
Home for Christmas forges ahead, providing a “warm blanket” for tough times
Daniel Lapp’s 17th annual Home for Christmas Concert
Victoria Conservatory of Music Rising-Star Campaign Supports Musical Education
Our Community: Rising Stars get a boost through donations to VCM
Daniel Lapp’s Home for Christmas Concert
Daniel Lapp’s annual Thanksgiving celebration of Canadian folk music
Daniel Lapp’s virtual Joy of Life to feature three special guests
Daniel Lapp’s West Coast Kitchen Party
2019/2020 School Year News
Victoria Conservatory of Music bringing Bach back virtually
VCM Music Therapist Graylen Howard stages socially distanced concerts at a long term care home in Nanaimo – CTV News video clip and Nanaimo News Bulletin
House Beautiful: Son of Victoria garden legends has passion for landscapes
Victoria Conservatory of Music asking for support
Victoria Art Checkup: The Victoria Conservatory of Music
Mother’s Day Garden Tour fundraiser will go ahead- online!
Victoria Garden Tour Falls Silent
Classical Music: Piano quartet’s tour wraps with Conservatory residency
Daniel Lapp keeps it Canadian over the holidays
Victoria Conservatory of Music bursary passes $1M mark
Victoria Conservatory of Music’s bursary fund for youth reaches $1M
Victoria Conservatory of Music bursary fund reaches $1M mark
Victoria Conservatory of Music shows off new Music Tech Lab at Open House
Conservatory welcomes all for open house
2018/2019 School Year News
SoundCHEK: 14 year old pianist set to play 2019 Symphony Splash
Classical Music VCM Summer Concert series starts Saturday
Joy of Life fest is labour of love for Daniel Lapp
House Beautiful: A ship-shape seaside garden
Musical Joy emerges from fiddling and singing
Classical Music: New Orford String Quartet plays Beethoven, Brahms
A big concert featuring an Oak Bay High School student
Daniel Lapp has a full house for Christmas
Our Community: Helping kids find the joy of song
Victoria Conservatory of Music series opens doors for faculty
Victoria Conservatory of Music’s founding faculty feature in Sunday’s concert
Victoria Conservatory of Music opens state-of-the-art music technology lab
Past News Links
Janina Fialkowska performs as part of VCM Presents.
http://www.timescolonist.com/pianist-janina-fialkowska-plays-up-magic-of-live-performance-1.2195669
VCM talks about our West Shore expansion with Chek News. http://www.cheknews.ca/victoria-conservatory-music-opens-new-satellite-location-langford-148452/
Conservatory opens second location in West Shore – Great coverage in the Times Colonist.
Victoria Conservatory of Music – 50th Anniversary Campaign in Times Colonist Read or download in PDF format: Times Colonist 50th Campaign
Ballet Victoria teams up with music school http://www.timescolonist.com/ballet-victoria-teams-up-with-music-school-1.1738455
VCM Dean Stephen Green on CFAX 1070 w/ Al Ferraby – Jan 22, 2015 VCM Dean Stephen Green on CFAX 1070 Radio w/ Frank Stanford.
Donation hits right musical note – Victoria News http://www.vicnews.com/community/285679421.html
Young violinist, 15, has promising future http://www.vicnews.com/entertainment/285135451.html
Sidney Classical Orchestra season begins with Mostly Mozart http://www.peninsulanewsreview.com/entertainment/283873931.html
Generosity of Spirit Award, presented by the United Way of Greater Victoria to Ed Chwyl and Family http://afpvancouverisland.afpnet.org/Content.cfm?ItemNumber=22010&navItemNumber=22011
Philanthropists – young and old – honored http://www.vicnews.com/community/283077651.html
Concerts celebrate Canada Music Week The Victoria Conservatory of Music is celebrating Canada Music Week with free concerts and workshops all week.
http://www.timescolonist.com/our-community-a-hospice-fundraiser-from-the-heart-1.1587841
Stradivari Stars at Conservatory Benefit Concert in Victoria http://www.timescolonist.com/stradivari-stars-at-conservatory-benefit-concert-in-victoria-1.1489983
Greater Victoria charities partner with UsedVictoria.com http://www.peninsulanewsreview.com/community/280719972.html
Beethoven’s Masterworks on Program – Sooke News Mirror http://www.sookenewsmirror.com/entertainment/279944792.html
Stephen Brown’s ‘Lady in the East’ review in Gramophone Magazine – PDF Stephen Brown-Gramophone article Sept 2014
Keaton Ollech: Saanich teen pianist heads to provincial competition – Saanich News http://www.saanichnews.com/news/277096001.html
Hospital patients can record their own songs with mobile studio – Vancouver Sun http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainmen/Music+therapy+gets+rock+roll+makeover/10182308/story.html#ixzz3Cx2UT1Qw
Victoria Conservatory bash celebrates the power of music — Oxygen http://www.timescolonist.com/life/victoria-conservatory-bash-celebrates-the-power-of-music-1.1389031#sthash.xwIwuAL1.dpuf
Check out Boulevard Magazine’s ‘Front Row’ story on our Jubilee Faculty Concert I Jubilee Faculty Concert I Publicity – PDF
Year Long Jubilee Celebration – Times Colonist Arts Guide http://shopping.timescolonist.com/SS/Page.aspx?secid=147159&pagenum=9&sstarg=&facing=false&
The magic of music The Victoria Conservatory of Music brings benefits of musical education to families of all income levels http://www.timescolonist.com/life/islander/the-magic-of-music-1.1326503#sthash.CcyrSwej.dpuf
VCM Faculty and Young Student Featured for Victoria’s Splash Event http://www.timescolonist.com/life/islander/victoria-music-teacher-s-young-charge-makes-a-splash-1.1203986#sthash.qSpDKQ8l.dpuf
VCM Student, 9-Year old Erik Lin Chosen as Solo Pianist for Splash http://www.timescolonist.com/this-year-s-splash-a-special-one-1.1201878#sthash.xwvlNJV7.dpuf
Times Colonist 50 Years of the Victoria Conservatory of Music http://www.timescolonist.com/life/islander/50-years-of-the-victoria-conservatory-of-music-1.1073455
CTV Vancouver Island shares our new initiatives including the new School of Contemporary Music.
Daniel Lapp – New VCM Artistic Director of the School of Contemporary Music
Gregor Craigie CBC radio interview with VCM CEO Jane Butler McGregor and Dean Stephen Green
VCM Promotional video shot by CTV Vancouver Island.
Times Colonist: Victoria inventor and pianist Ann Makosinski, age 16, has received a scholarship from the Victoria Conservatory of Music in recognition of her ingenuity, creativity and resourcefulness. http://vcm.bc.ca/ann-makosinski/
Monday Magazine VCM students performing Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival http://www.mondaymag.com/entertainment/256062821.html
Times Colonist Impress Mom with a Day of Gardens http://www.timescolonist.com/explore-ukulele-week-mother-s-day-garden-tour-korean-fest-and-more-1.1026431
Victoria News Gardens and Music make a Unique Mother’s Day http://www.vicnews.com/neighbourhoods/victoria/258181551.html
Times Colonist Camosun College Fends Off Cuts to Key Programs – VCM Post-Secondary Music http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/camosun-college-fends-off-cuts-to-key-programs-1.1024436#sthash.YKYAuMuu.dpuf
Campbell River Mirror May Ling Kwok has been acclaimed as “one of the most musical and sensitive Canadian pianists.” http://www.campbellrivermirror.com/entertainment/227894061.html
Times Colonist Timeless Music On The Palate http://www.timescolonist.com/life/islander/around-town-timeless-music-on-the-palate-1.1020264#sthash.Iv1UP42c.dpuf
Times Colonist Mother’s Day Garden Tour http://www.timescolonist.com/mother-s-day-garden-tour-1.1017761
Times Colonist Don’t take the music away from Camosun http://www.timescolonist.com/opinion/letters/don-t-take-the-music-away-from-camosun-1.1003233#sthash.suXO2kgr.dpuf©
EAT Magazine 7th Uncork Your Palate Takes Place April 30 http://eatmagazine.ca/7th-uncork-palate-take-place-april-30-2014/
Times Colonist Tasting: A Sneak Peek at a Musical Wine Tasting http://www.timescolonist.com/tasting-a-sneak-peek-at-a-musical-wine-tasting-1.982015#sthash.NFUg9iae.dpuf
Times Colonist Keep The Music Playing At Camosun College — Roy Cullen http://www.timescolonist.com/opinion/letters/keep-music-playing-at-camosun-college-1.976358#sthash.ALuWoELY.dpuf
Cowichan Newsleader Former student honours icon in organ recital – Nicolas Fairbank http://www.cowichannewsleader.com/entertainment/253463171.html
Boulevard Magazine Secrets and Lives – Stephen Green http://www.victoriaboulevard.com/read-boulevard/read-boulevard-online/
Times Colonist Vital People: Young performers to take stage at Victoria festival http://www.timescolonist.com/vital-people-young-performers-to-take-stage-at-victoria-festival-1.935891
Music education key in professional achievement – Leslie Brown http://www.timescolonist.com/opinion/letters/music-education-key-in-professional-achievement-1.981817
Boulevard Magazine Secrets and Lives – Stephen Green http://www.victoriaboulevard.com/read-boulevard/read-boulevard-online/
Camosun music students concerned about proposed budgets cuts, future of program – See more at: http://www.nexusnewspaper.com/2014/04/15/camosun-music-students-concerned-about-proposed-budgets-cuts-future-of-program/#sthash.s9WW08Uo.dpuf
Feature article appeared in Times Colonist for VCM Opera Studio Gender Bender Performance in Kevin Bazzana Classical Column Victoria Opera Companies Push The Envelope found here: http://www.timescolonist.com/classical-music-victoria-opera-companies-push-the-envelope-1.723672;
Times Colonist included an editorial “Join the celebrations as the Year of the Horse Arrives” found here: http://www.timescolonist.com/join-in-the-celebrations-as-the-year-of-the-horse-arrives-1.798643
Recorded CBC Radio One interview PSA announcement for Harmonious Celebration and VCM’s upcoming 50th anniversary on Jan 24, for All Points West. The Victoria News story “Ring in Chinese New Year early in Victoria found here: http://www.vicnews.com/entertainment/241730811.html
Feature article appeared in Boulevard Magazine, ‘Playing An Older Tune’; included an interview with VCM Dean, Stephen Green http://issuu.com/boulevardlifestylesinc/docs/dec_2013/34
Featured Music Therapy Program Segment on CTV’s Television “I Love This Island”, with an interview with VCM’s Dr. Johanne Brodeur. http://vcm.bc.ca/music-therapy-videos/r
ACCOLADES & COMMUNITY AWARDS
Here’s what people are saying about us!
Community Awards
In 2020, the Victoria Conservatory of Music – Westhills, was awarded the “Best Place to Develop Your Child’s Potential” in the Best of the Westshore Awards! Thank you for your support and vote!
In 2019 the Victoria Conservatory of Music placed in two categories in the Times Colonist Readers Choice Awards!
First place! Favourite Charity- Victoria Conservatory of Music
Finalist! Best Place to See a Live Performance – Alix Goolden Performance Hall
In 2019 the Victoria Conservatory of Music was recognized as a Top 3 Music School in Victoria by Three Best Rated!
In 2019 the Victoria Conservatory of Music was a Top 3 Finalist in the Best of the Westshore Awards category “Best Place to Develop Your Child’s Potential”.
Student/Parent Collegium
“2013-2014 was such a rewarding year for Jessica, I can’t express how much she loves being a part of such a fantastic program. She truly feels at home at the Conservatory.”
Parent, Jenny Schmidt
VCM Sponsor
“The 50th Jubilee Alumni concert showed how important and significant music and the Conservatory’s commitment are to this city. Congratulations on an incredible event.” Rich Leboudec, CTV Producer, Vancouver Island/Bell Media Inc.
VCM Community/Government
“The work of the Conservatory in the City of Victoria for the last 50 years has enriched the lives of the city and its citizens and will continue to do so long into the future.”
Lisa Helps, Victoria Councilor
Student Scholarship Recipient
“Ann considered it a great honour to have been given the award and we were [very] excited as well. Thanks again to you, VCM, especially to Mr. Green.” Parent, Sandra Makosinski
Alix Goolden Performance Hall – Performer
“A jewel box of a building.” Emmylou Harris, 2013
VCM Music Mom
I Love Victoria Conservatory of Music because… When I take my kids for lessons we really feel like we are part of a world of music that is bigger than ourselves. When I wait in the hall it sounds like an orchestra tuning up as the notes from violin, piano and cello lessons all blend together. Wonderful!
VCM Alum Bronwyn Kure message to her Theory teacher Stephen Brown
Hi Mr. Brown!
I just wanted to say thank you for being an amazing teacher!
I took the theory placement exam here at the Peabody Institute at the beginning of the year and was transferred into third semester harmony! Because of that I only have to stay here in Baltimore for minimum two years. The head of the Theory department said that they haven’t let anyone transfer past first year theory in 25 years and that he wanted me to express to you the respect he has for your teaching skills. Thank you so much! I really miss being a part of your class. It was such a great experience!
VCM STUDENT SUCCESS STORIES
ANDREW ERASMUS
Baritone Andrew Erasmus is fast establishing himself as an outstanding young singer and performer. He is currently a voice student at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, a member of the Advanced Voice Workshop and studying under Ingrid Attrot and Nancy Argenta.
His operatic credits include two world premieres, including Gavin Bryars’ Marilyn Forever 
with Aventa Ensemble, as well as the role of George Stoner in Tobin Stokes’ Rattenbury: The Opera starring Richard Margison. He has had a long association with Pacific Opera Victoria where he first appeared as the Shepherd Boy in Tosca and as a member of the chorus since 2008, he has performed a number of comprimario roles inlcuding Antonio in Le Nozze di Figaro, the Lackey in Ariadne auf Naxos, the Apparition in Macbeth and the Jailor in Tosca. In concert he has recently appeared as a soloist in Bach’s Magnificat as the part of the McPherson and Royal Theatre Centenial Celebrations, in Monteverdi’s Vespers with the Victoria Philharmonic Choir and Bach’s St. John Passion with the Victoria Baroque Players. He has been the recipient of many voice scholarships and awards including the VCM Margaret Abbott Memorial Scholarship for English Song and the 2013 Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival Ethel James Rose Bowl Award for most outstanding singer.
This past summer he was a participant in both the VCM Summer Vocal Academy – Oratorio Program featured in Handel’s Athalia and Bach’s Cantata BWV 82 and The Voice Program at the Philharmonia Hungary Early Music Days at the Esterházy Palace. His upcoming performances include the Imperial Commissioner in the spring POV production of Madame Butterfly.
MASAHIRO MIYAUCHI
Victoria Conservatory of Music’s Collegium
2014’S Don Chrysler Competition Winner
17-year old Masahiro has been playing piano for 11 years; he started at the age of 6. He 
participated in Prayner Konservatorium: Vienna Young Pianists International Piano Festival at the age of 13. He arrived in Canada from Japan in March 2012 to attend Victoria High School and study with Victoria Conservatory of Music’s, renowned faculty member, May Ling Kwok. He was a member of our VCM Collegium program for two years.
Masahiro participated in the Don Chrysler Concerto Competition and wowed the audience at the Philip T. Young Recital Hall on Saturday, April 26th. He was chosen as the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra October soloist, performing Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto No.5.
Masahiro will be leaving the VCM at the end of the first term to return to the Japanese education system with hopes to pursue a career in jazz and technical music. We are proud to share his success story. Everyone at the VCM will miss his sunny personality, his skateboard under his arm and his excellent musicianship. We wish him an extraordinary future.
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JACOB VAN DER SLOOT
Jacob, age 16, is an accomplished Viola player entering the international music scene. He 
is a student at the Victoria Conservatory of Music studying with his father, Michael van der Sloot. He is currently enrolled as a member of the Collegium Program for Gifted Youth and principal of both the Victoria Conservatory of Music Senior String Orchestra and the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra. Jacob loves chamber music and received first place
with his group at the British Columbia Music Festival for the past three years. In addition, his chamber group tied first place at the VCM Chamber Music Competition the past two years.
Jacob has enjoyed the experience of soloing with various orchestras on five separate occasions over the past two years. In the summers of 2011 and 2012, Jacob attended the Young Artists Program at the National Arts Center in Ottawa. In 2013, Jacob attended the Perlman Music Program in New York with maestro Itzhak Perlman. With the Perlman Music Program, Jacob also performed in the opening concert of Bing Hall at Stanford University and he travelled to Israel recently for a three week program in Tel Aviv. Only 18 students were chosen from a group of 40 students from ten different countries that attended the Perlman Music Program in New York last summer. Jacob is presently the only Canadian student part of PMP. He will return to New York this summer for another
seven weeks in the Perlman Music Program.
____________________________________________________________________
ARI KINARTHY
Ari was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) which leaves him with very limited 
mobility, such that he has been in a wheelchair since age six. Yet as a student of the VCM’s Music Therapy Program for seven years, he is able to perform his original compositions by utilizing the Soundbeam – an award-winning “touch free” device which uses sensor technology to translate movements into music and sound.”
Last June Ari won Soundbeam UK’s 25th Anniversary International Competition, for his composition entitled “Pain Emotion”. His experience with music has transformed his life and has been the source of inspiration for others which he believes is his purpose.
“This makes me feel like I can contribute to making people happy, when they like my music. That’s the biggest thing” he said in an interview with the Times Colonist in 2012. “I love to create things, the joy of creation is really what inspires me . . . I never thought at the beginning that this would be a potential profession for me, but I do consider myself a composer and professional musician now.”
BRONWYN KURE
Bronwyn Kure is an incredibly talented VCM Alum who is now excelling at the Peabody 
Institute. The following is a wonderful message Bronwyn sent to her VCM Theory teacher Stephen Brown.
Hi Mr. Brown!
I just wanted to say thank you for being an amazing teacher!
I took the theory placement exam here at the Peabody Institute at the beginning of the year and was transferred into third semester harmony! Because of that I only have to stay here in Baltimore for minimum two years. The head of the Theory department said that they haven’t let anyone transfer past first year theory in 25 years and that he wanted me to express to you the respect he has for your teaching skills. Thank you so much! I really miss being a part of your class. It was such a great experience!
RYAN HOWLAND
The VCM congratulates Ryan Howland who has made it into one of the big European Violin Competitions, The Boris Goldstein International Violin Competition. Ryan has been playing the violin for 10 years now. It all started when his mother was working as a piano teacher at the Conservatory. For the past year, Howland has 
been going back and forth to Interlaken, Switzerland to take masterclasses with Zakhar Bron, a premier violin teacher in Europe.
“All along the way, we’ve really focused on being goal-oriented and striving to get to the next level,” said Michael van der Sloot. “Because of [Ryan]‘s work ethic, he was able to progress through these goals.”
RAE GALLIMORE
Born and Raised in Victoria, British Columbia, Rae started playing violin at the age of six. 
In the autumn of 2012, she began her studies of the viola. Currently, Rae is studying with Michael van der Sloot. She has also had the privilege to have lessons with Gerald Stanick, Barbara Westphal, Martha Strongin Kadz, Karen Dreyfus, Jeffery Irvine, Samuel Rhodes, Teng Li and Roberto Diaz. She is a current member of the Victoria Conservatory of Music Collegium Program and the VCM Senior Strings Orchestra. For two consecutive years, Rae’s chamber group was awarded 1st place in the Victoria Conservatory Chamber Music Competition as well as placing first place in the Senior Chamber Ensemble in 2013 and 2014’s Provincial Performing Art’s Festival. This past spring, Rae placed second in the Don Chrysler Concerto Competition. She has played solo with the VCM Orchestra, the Sidney Classical Orchestra and will be soloing this fall with the Sooke Philharmonic Chamber Players. During the summer of 2013, Rae took part in Mount Royal University’s Morningside Music Bridge program in Calgary, Alberta and this past summer, Rae attended the Heifetz Summer Music Institute held in Staunton, Virginia. Rae is currently finishing her final year at Camosun College for a Diploma in Viola Music Performance.
KEATON OLLECH
Fifteen-year-old Keaton Ollech has been enjoying the piano and working with 
May Ling Kwok since he was eight years old. In 2014 Keaton won the Mary Adamson Young Artist competition for Vancouver Island. The win sent him to the Provincial Championships with the hopes of moving on to Nationals.
“He is an exceptional boy and student, a pleasure to work with,” said Kwok, who’s been at the Victoria Conservatory of Music for 30 years. “It’s a lot of commitment, hard work and dedication to do what he’s done.”
VCM FACT SHEET
The Victoria Conservatory of Music (VCM) was founded in 1964, and began with only 8 students.
What: One of the largest and most-respected music schools in Canada offering world-class instruction.
Location: We enjoy two beautiful locations, one in downtown Victoria and our satellite location in Langford. British Columbia, Canada.
The VCM is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada’s Pacific coast boasting the mildest climate in Canada year around.
Downtown:
900 Johnson Street
Victoria, British Columbia V8V 3N4
Westhills:
210 – 1314 – Lakepoint Way V9B 0L9
Faculty: The VCM is home currently to 125 faculty members; many VCM instructors are award-winning and widely recognized in Canada and beyond.
Students: In 2019 the VCM is proud to serve 4500 students and music therapy clients of all ages and abilities.
Programs: VCM offers programming in a broad range of areas and musical genres, as well as instruction on both Classical and Popular-Contemporary instruments, including Classical piano, strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion, and voice, , and Contemporary acoustic and electric guitar, electric bass, drums, fiddle, jazz violin, electric violin, DJ, jazz sax, jazz trumpet, synth/keys, and Pop/Jazz vocals.
The VCM consists of six innovative program areas:
• Ann & George Nation Conservatory School of Classical Music
• Chwyl Family School of Contemporary Music
• School of Music Technology and Creativity
• Department of Postsecondary Studies
• Department of Early Childhood Music
• Department of Music Therapy
Phone:
Toll Free: 1-866-386-5311
Downtown: 250-385-5311
Langford: 778-265-5355
VICTORIA CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC HISTORY
Opening its doors for the first time in 1964 with only 8 students in its first classroom, the original Victoria School of Music has since grown and expanded in many ways over its 55+ remarkable years.
The Victoria School of Music began with a small group of visionaries and music lovers, initiated by Mrs. Alix Goolden, to establish a school of music for the whole community with a primary purpose of developing musicians for regional orchestras and providing additional employment for Victoria Symphony musicians wishing to teach. Dr. Robin Wood, hired as principal and he and his wife Winifred Scott Wood, both acclaimed pianists, left their flourishing careers in London at the Royal Academy of Music, to help build the fledgling conservatory. These, and other generous people, raised $30,000 to open the school. The school was incorporated May 13, 1964.
Today, no longer the Victoria School of Music but the Victoria Conservatory of Music, is one of North America’s most innovative music schools, redefining the traditional “conservatory”. It is home to currently 125 faculty members and 4500 participants of all ages and abilities in its six amazing and diverse areas of programming. The VCM is a non-profit organization and is still located in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Until 1999 when the VCM purchased its current home in the former Metropolitan United church at 900 Johnson St, which includes the beautiful Alix Goolden Performance Hall (former church sanctuary), the VCM rented space at Craigdarroch Castle, and then at St. Ann’s Academy Close.
Today the Victoria Conservatory of Music, also known as “VCM” is home to some the most accomplished and renowned alumni in the world. Currently almost half of the Victoria Symphony are VCM faculty or alumni, and almost half of the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra is consistently comprised of current, or past students of the VCM. VCM Program Directors, Artistic Directors, and Department Heads are passionate educators, respected artists and performers in our community, across Canada and internationally. Students come from all over the world to learn from these renowned and respected instructors.
The VCM delivers its high-quality music programs through community outreach to over 1000 children annually, ranging from infants and toddlers in 37 Greater Victoria locations, to children in local Elementary, Middle, and High schools. Its Community programs are the core of VCM – providing music instruction to 2700 students of all ages and abilities. VCM’s Department of Postsecondary Studies offers programs for students who want to pursue a professional career in music. These include: In partnership with Camosun College, a full-time 2-year diploma in Music Performance, and an 18-month Certificate in Music Technologies; and through the VCM’s own accreditation with the BC Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills, and Training, Education Quality Assurance, and Immigration Canada’s International Student Program, two one-year certificates in Music Pedagogy and Advanced Pedagogy. The VCM’s Summer Academy offers intensive programs, workshops, and classes for Classical voice, piano, strings, winds, theory and music technology. The VCM’s Young Artists Collegium Program is for gifted young musicians who want to study music at the highest standard in a comprehensive environment with the feel of a close-knit community.
For a more comprehensive history, please pick up a copy of the following books from our Downtown school Front Desk.
- Victoria Conservatory of Music, Forty Years in Four Movements. The history of the Victoria Conservatory of Music’s First Forty Years. By Joan Gorst Giles. (Also available on Amazon)
- Encore, the continuing story of the Victoria Conservatory of Music. By Joan Gorst Giles.