The summer’s premier event returns August 6th as the 28th Annual Victoria Symphony Splash welcomes more than 40,000 people to the Inner Harbour.
This year’s featured guests include: Naden Band, Tickles the Clown, the Victoria Symphony and two young soloists, 18-year-old violinist Ryan Howland and the youngest soloist in Splash’s history, eight-year-old pianist Felipe Jian.
“The music I’ve chosen is really a musical postcard from me to you. Its music from my background and my home to welcome you to celebrate with the Victoria Symphony. There will be some real classics from Denmark, Scandinavia and Germany and I’m sure you will recognize some of them,” said Maestro Christian Kluxen.
Jian moved from Argentina to Victoria in June 2014, and at the age five, he started piano lessons with his current teacher, Ingrid Henderson at the Victoria Conservatory of Music.
In March 2017, Jian performed with the Cowichan Consort Orchestra and the Sidney Classical Orchestra.
At eight years old, he’s competed at the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival for the past two years winning many awards including the prestigious Nathan Geminiano Cup for outstanding musicianship in the senior piano category. In addition, he was chosen to represent Victoria at the BC Provincials.
Howland picked up the violin at the age of five, and since then has studied with acclaimed violinists and pedagogues in Europe including Zakhar Bron, Viktor Tretyakov, Maurizio Sciarretta, Ulrich Edelmann, Rudolf Koel-man, and Michael van der Sloot.
Howland won first prize in both the Victoria and the B.C. Provincial Performing Arts Festival in Canada 2015 and 1st prize in the International Grand Prize Virtuoso Competition in London 2015.
Howland will begin his studies at the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts in Germany this fall.
Symphony Splash kicks off at 12 p.m. with the Albert Head Cadets performing on the Legislature steps.
The Family Zone, where kids can try playing a musical instrument, jump around in SportBall’s bouncy castle or do an activity prepared by the Royal BC Museum., returns as well.
Kicking off at 4 p.m., Victoria’s own Naden Band will perform from the floating stage.
At 7:30 p.m. Maestro Kluxen and the Victoria Symphony take the stage to play a fun concert featuring two young soloists and a wonderfully eclectic collection of some of the best orchestral music out there.
New this year, the VS will be livestreaming the concert through Facebook, providing the opportunity for people from around the world (or right here in Victoria) to enjoy the beautifully unique experience that is Victoria Symphony Splash.
For more information call 250.385.6515.