Event Category: Orpheum Series

VAM Symphony Orchestra: Tchaikovsky No. 6

Class Description: Join us for a luminous afternoon with the Vancouver Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra as we present Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6. Known as the Pathétique, this final masterwork stands as one of the most emotionally profound symphonies ever written.  Complemented by a performance from Forest Benson, winner of the 2025 Kay Meek Competition, performing Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 5 in F major, Op. 103, also known as The Egyptian.

Program:

• Mozart Overture Magic Flute
• Forest Benson: Saint-Saëns, Piano Concerto No. 5 (30 mins)

-INTERMISSION-

• Tchaikovsky Symphony No.6 (50 mins)

*Repertoire selections and performing artists are subject to change.

VAM's Orchestral Training Program is supported by:

Adrienne S. Chan The Edith Lando Charitable Foundation The R & J Stern Family Foundation Vancouver Civic Theatres The City of Vancouver

VAM Symphony Orchestra: Jaeden Izik-Dzurko Plays Rachmaninoff

Class Description: From the wild energy of Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals to the fiery drama of Bizet’s Carmen Suite, this program is a vibrant showcase of colour and character. Guest pianist Jaeden Izik-Dzurko joins VAMSO for Rachmaninoff’s towering Third Piano Concerto — a virtuosic tour de force that brings the season to a triumphant close.

Program:

• Sibelius, Finlandia
• Rachmaninoff No. 3, Jaeden Izik-Dzurko (45 mins)

-INTERMISSION-

• Bizet, Carmen Suite (12 mins)
• Saint Saens, The Carnival of the Animals (23 mins)

*Repertoire selections and performing artists are subject to change.

VAM's Orchestral Training Program is supported by:

Adrienne S. Chan The Edith Lando Charitable Foundation The R & J Stern Family Foundation Vancouver Civic Theatres The City of Vancouver

VAM Symphony Orchestra: A Musical Storybook

Class Description: Step into a musical storybook with a concert for all ages. The evening begins with The Composer is Dead, a hilarious and mysterious whodunnit that introduces the orchestra’s instruments as suspects in a musical crime. From there, travel through beloved cinematic worlds — from The Lion King to How to Train Your Dragon, Frozen, Up, and more — in a symphonic journey through Disney, Dreamworks, and beyond.

Program:

• The Composer is Dead  - Picture Book Mystery with Live Narration
• Disney & DreamWorks Collection
  • The Lion King
  • How to Train Your Dragon
  • Frozen
  • Up
  • and more...

*Repertoire selections and performing artists are subject to change.

VAM's Orchestral Training Program is supported by:

Adrienne S. Chan The Edith Lando Charitable Foundation The R & J Stern Family Foundation Vancouver Civic Theatres The City of Vancouver

VAM Symphony Orchestra: Next Generation

Class Description: Welcome the '25/26 concert series with the Vancouver Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra. This Next Generation opening concert is a showcase of the most promising young artists, featuring the winners of the 2025 Bjorn & Lori Hareid Concerto Competition and Young Composers’ Competition in a vibrant celebration of emerging talent. For the first time ever, audiences will also cast their votes live for the inaugural Audience Award, with the winner announced during the concert. Followed by Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, “Eroica” — a revolutionary work that redefined the boundaries of the classical symphony. Bridging legacy and innovation, this program celebrates the future of orchestral music through the voices of its rising stars.

Program and Featured Students:

• Danny Lin - Composition Competition Winner, Dawn
• Joy Li, Piano (Category A) - Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18, I. Moderato
• Merett Khamis, Strings (Category B) - Sibelius Violin Concerto, Op. 47, 1st Movement
• Aeri Seong, Flute (Category C, Open) - Liebermann Concerto for Flute and Orchestra, 1st Movement

-INTERMISSION-

• Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 Eroica

*Repertoire selections and performing artists are subject to change. VAM's Orchestral Training Program is supported by: Adrienne S. Chan The Edith Lando Charitable Foundation The R & J Stern Family Foundation Vancouver Civic Theatres The City of Vancouver

VAM Symphony Orchestra: 2025/26 Season Pass

Class Description:

Experience the Magic of Music with the 2025/26 VAMSO Concert Series!

Unlock a year of unforgettable musical moments with the Vancouver Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra. Our exclusive Season Pass offers a seamless way to enjoy all four concerts, with a 15% discount for early bird subscribers. With just one purchase, you’ll have priority access to select seats, ensuring your favourite seat at every concert throughout the year.

Why Subscribe?

• Hassle-Free Transaction: One purchase grants you access to all four concerts.
• Priority Seating: Enjoy the same reserved seat for every concert.
• Exclusive Discount: Save $15 with our early bird offer, valid until October 15th.

Concert 1: Next Generation & Beethoven’s “Eroica”

• Date: Sunday, Oct 26, 2:00 PM
• Program: Featuring Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, “Eroica,” and spotlighting winners of the 2025 Bjorn & Lori Hareid Concerto Competition and Young Composers’ Competition.
• Description: Welcome the 25/26 concert series with a showcase of the most promising young artists. Next Generation features rising talent in a vibrant celebration of musical potential. For the first time ever, audiences will cast live votes for the inaugural Audience Award. The program concludes with Beethoven’s revolutionary “Eroica,” bridging tradition and innovation in a concert that celebrates the future of orchestral music.

Concert 2: A Musical Storybook

• Date: Sunday, Nov 23, 2:00 PM
• Program: "The Composer is Dead" is a hilarious whodunit and perplexing murder mystery for the whole family, followed by symphonic selections including "The Lion King", "Frozen", "How to Train Your Dragon", "Up", and more
• Description: Step into a world of musical storytelling with a family-friendly program filled with adventure and imagination. From a playful mystery to cinematic favourites, this concert brings beloved characters and magical soundscapes to life.

Concert 3: Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6

• Date: Sunday, Mar 1, 2:00 PM
• Program: Mozart’s Overture to The Magic Flute, Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 5 “The Egyptian” featuring Forest Benson, and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 “Pathétique.”
• Description: Travel across centuries and continents in a program of vivid contrasts—from Mozart’s theatrical flair to the exotic lyricism of Saint-Saëns and Tchaikovsky’s deeply expressive final symphony.

Concert 4: Jaeden Izik-Dzurko Plays Rachmaninoff

• Date: Sunday, Apr 26, 2:00 PM
• Program: Bizet’s Carmen Suite, Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals, and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 featuring Jaeden Izik-Dzurko.
• Description: Close the season in style with Rachmaninoff’s towering Third Piano Concerto, Bizet’s bold Carmen Suite, and Saint-Saëns’ whimsical Carnival of the Animals. Secure your Season Pass today and be part of an extraordinary musical journey.