Published February 1, 2023
One of the student soloists at the 2023 Spark to Flame Student Showcase!
Camilo Aybar began studying clarinet at the Victoria Conservatory of Music in January 2018 under Dr. Jack Edwards’ instruction, after picking up the instrument in middle school band because of encouragement from the band director, Jennifer Kelly. He is currently studying under the instruction of Patricia Kostek, and is a member of the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra and the Young Artists Collegium program.
He finds the experience of performing in ensembles, large and small, with other young musicians to be highly powerful and rewarding.
In his free time, Camilo Aybar also enjoys musical composition, as the emotions that can be expressed and evoked through music far class=”NormalTextRun SCXW79066144 BCX0″> the capabilities of language. Camilo, being a relatively shy person, turns to music composition to depict his experiences and release his bottled-up emotions in a manner that he finds deeply fulfilling and satisfying (see for more information.
Why did you apply to perform at Spark to Flame?
I applied to perform again because my experience with Spark to Flame two years ago, albeit for a virtual audience with a reduced orchestra, was one of the most memorable and enjoyable of my life. I am sure performing for a live audience, with a fuller orchestra this time around will top that experience.
What piece are you performing and why did you choose it?
I am performing the first movement of Crusell’s Clarinet Concerto No. 2 in F Minor. I chose to learn this piece after I heard it on the radio. I was astonished to discover such a fiery and passionate concerto written for clarinet in the brooding key of F minor, in stark contrast to the light and innocent mood of more popular clarinet concertos such as Mozart’s.
Same as it was two years ago, I still hope to complete and premiere my Clarinet Concerto in G Minor sometime in the future, as my work on it was interrupted by my Symphony No. 1 in D Minor “Pandemic”, whose premiere date I am also hoping will be set for sometime in the near future. As I approach the end of high school, I have my mind and heart set on pursuing music in university, with an ambition to become an orchestral/solo clarinetist in a professional setting, as well as a composer, perhaps writing film scores or commissions from orchestras.
Tell me a bit about yourself, outside of music.
While it is rare to find me occupying my time with something that is not music-related, I enjoy photography, videography and graphic design. I am also a transit enthusiast, and my love of riding transit dates back to riding double-decker buses as a toddler. One could ask me anything about any bus route in Victoria or nearly any bus route/metro line in Vancouver, and I know every bus in Victoria by fleet number. My transit YouTube channel, where I post videos of transit operations (namely in BC) is
Anything else you’d like to share?
A little random fun fact: I am currently building a Mahler Hammer in my high school’s Woodshop, used by Gustav Mahler in his Symphony No. 6 in A Minor “Tragic”, but also to be used in my very own Symphony No. 2 in F# Minor.
2023 Spark to Flame Student Showcase
The annual Spark to Flame program is presented through the Ann & George Nation Conservatory School of Classical Music and supports the development of young emerging professional artists.
Open to all students of the Victoria Conservatory of Music, soloists are selected through two rounds of auditions. The Spark to Flame program offers soloists the opportunity to be mentored by various VCM faculty over the weeks leading up to the concert, including rehearsals with orchestra.
The concert is a magical evening, and this year’s performance on Saturday February 25, 2023, will feature six very talented student soloists chosen this year to be accompanied by the VCM’s Chamber Orchestra, consisting of fellow student peers who are joined by faculty artists and other professional musicians.
Admission is free. Please use the Victoria Conservatory of Music entrance at 900 Johnson Street.
Supported by the Henwood Family Foundation and BC Gaming.Learn more and read the bios of the six student performers here.
Middle school students across Victoria are benefitting from our Creative Music Technology Program for Youth thanks to funding from the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation.
The Victoria Conservatory of Music proudly announces the world premiere of “Ari’s Theme”, a compelling documentary showcasing the extraordinary journey of local composer and performer Ari Kinarthy.
Camilo Aybar began studying clarinet at the Victoria Conservatory of Music in January 2018 under Dr. Jack Edwards’ instruction, after picking up the instrument in middle school band because of encouragement from the band director, Jennifer Kelly. He is currently studying under the instruction of Patricia Kostek, and is a member of the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra and the Young Artists Collegium program.
He finds the experience of performing in ensembles, large and small, with other young musicians to be highly powerful and rewarding.
In his free time, Camilo Aybar also enjoys musical composition, as the emotions that can be expressed and evoked through music far class=”NormalTextRun SCXW79066144 BCX0″> the capabilities of language. Camilo, being a relatively shy person, turns to music composition to depict his experiences and release his bottled-up emotions in a manner that he finds deeply fulfilling and satisfying (see for more information.
Same as it was two years ago, I still hope to complete and premiere my Clarinet Concerto in G Minor sometime in the future, as my work on it was interrupted by my Symphony No. 1 in D Minor “Pandemic”, whose premiere date I am also hoping will be set for sometime in the near future. As I approach the end of high school, I have my mind and heart set on pursuing music in university, with an ambition to become an orchestral/solo clarinetist in a professional setting, as well as a composer, perhaps writing film scores or commissions from orchestras.
