Three music organizations are coming together to bring music a community music program to northern B.C. this summer.
The Prince George Symphony Orchestra (PGSO), Prince George Conservatory of Music (PGCM), and Orchestra North (Smithers) have announced their new collaboration Orchestra North Summer Program.
The program will be hosted by the Prince George Symphony Youth Orchestra will be held from July 28 - Aug 1, 2023, followed by a short tour August 2-3 for select players.
The program is modelled after Orchestra North summer programs of previous years, but will take place in Prince George, where it will be hosted at the Prince George Conservatory of Music.
This intensive program is open to string players of all ages and skill levels, and the organizers hope to add some wind instruments to the mix as well.
“We’re focused on making this a truly great experience for the fiddlers and string players of northern B.C., but we’ll see how much interest there is from other musicians,” said Orchestra North Artistic Director and PGSYO Music Director Roxi Dykstra.
“I’m encouraging interested wind players to also get in touch if they’re interested – it would be amazing to be able to play a whole symphony!”
Participants will join world-class instructors including Dykstra on violin and viola, Simon MacDonald on violin, and Yu Yu Liu who was recently appointed as the PGSO’s principal cello.
“We’re very pleased to be able to expand our youth orchestra collaboration with the PGSO,” said Shoshanna Godber, Artistic Director of the PGCM.
“It’s so important to make these playing opportunities available to music students in Prince George.”
The organizers welcome players of all ages and experience levels.
“I’m thrilled to be able to offer this program in the community,” said Ken Hall, Executive Director of the PGSO. “Not only does it represent an amazing opportunity for the students of this city, but it should offer fantastic development opportunities for even our most advanced community musicians as well.”
The program is made possible by a grant to the PGSO from the BC Arts Council. Those interested can register online for the program which costs $180 plus GST. Regular registration is open until July 15.
