VANCOUVER, May 27, 2011 - The Vancouver Symphony Society will open its new 120-seat recital hall with essential new equipment, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada.
The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced funding alongside leaders of British Columbia's performing arts community at the launch of the new Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) School of Music. Equipment for the recital hall includes new lighting and control systems, as well as state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment for sound and recording purposes.
"Our Government is proud to support the efforts of local arts centres, because they play a critical role in strengthening the economic future of our communities," said Minister Moore. "By providing the VSO School of Music with essential equipment, we are enabling them do their job to promote the future stars of Canadian culture."
The VSO School of Music is a state-of-the-art facility that promotes musical experiences for audiences of all ages. The Government's investment, along with investments by Vancouver's business community and the private sector, will create a versatile professional performing arts venue that will benefit local artists, arts organizations, and the general public.
"The support from the Cultural Spaces Canada Fund has allowed the VSO School of Music to professionally equip its Recital Hall as a performance and recording venue that can be used by arts groups and non-profits from throughout the region," said, Shaun Taylor, Executive Director, VSO School of Music. "In addition, it facilitated the purchase of an adjustable flooring system, allowing the Recital Hall to be used in a flat floor configuration for rehearsals and meetings, as well as a raked concert hall for performances all in the same day."
The Vancouver Symphony Society (VSS), founded in 1919, is responsible for operating the VSO. It presents classical and popular music performances to a wide variety of audiences and offers educational and community programs. VSS is the largest arts organization west of Ontario and the third largest symphony orchestra in Canada. The Society presents more than 150 concerts annually at up to 13 venues. The Society also offers a variety of youth and adult educational and community outreach programs to more than 50,000 participants each year.
The Government of Canada has provided funding of $326,705 through the
Canada Cultural Spaces Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program seeks to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and arts presentation or exhibition. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing, visual, and media arts, and to museum collections and heritage displays.
