Symphony Splash
Encyclopedia
The Symphony Splash is an annual event held in Victoria, British Columbia
on the first Sunday in August (the Sunday before BC Day). The event consists of the Victoria Symphony
playing, live on a barge, in the middle of Victoria's Inner Harbour. Also included in the event is a very large fireworks display, as well as live cannon fire, during the 1812 Overture
. The concert is led by Victoria Symphony
Music Director Tania Miller. The 2011 event is the 22nd Victoria Symphony Splash.
The free event leads to about 40,000 spectators gathered around the Victoria waterfront, as well as on the grounds of the British Columbia Parliament Buildings
and The Empress Hotel
. It is one of the largest annual symphony events in North America. Hundreds of people also gather in boats and kayaks to watch the concert. Each year, a young soloist is a featured performer with the orchestra.
Province and the capital, Victoria BC's 165th anniversary of its founding as Fort Victoria
. On BC Day, August 4, 2008, BC Premier
Gordon Campbell, Canada
Prime Minister
Stephen Harper
, and other politicians were on stage to start the festivities. Musicians/bands Colin James
, Burton Cummings
, Sarah McLachlan
, and Feist performed in front of the Legislature Buildings, for approximately 40000 spectators.
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
on the first Sunday in August (the Sunday before BC Day). The event consists of the Victoria Symphony
Victoria Symphony
The Victoria Symphony is a Canadian orchestra based in Victoria, British Columbia. It is considered by some to be Vancouver Island's premiere active performing arts organization. Currently directed by Tania Miller - one of North America's first female musical directors - the staff consist of both...
playing, live on a barge, in the middle of Victoria's Inner Harbour. Also included in the event is a very large fireworks display, as well as live cannon fire, during the 1812 Overture
1812 Overture
The Year 1812, Festival Overture in E flat major, Op. 49, popularly known as the 1812 Overture or the Overture of 1812 is an overture written by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1880 to commemorate Russia's defense of Moscow against Napoleon's advancing Grande Armée at the Battle of...
. The concert is led by Victoria Symphony
Victoria Symphony
The Victoria Symphony is a Canadian orchestra based in Victoria, British Columbia. It is considered by some to be Vancouver Island's premiere active performing arts organization. Currently directed by Tania Miller - one of North America's first female musical directors - the staff consist of both...
Music Director Tania Miller. The 2011 event is the 22nd Victoria Symphony Splash.
The free event leads to about 40,000 spectators gathered around the Victoria waterfront, as well as on the grounds of the British Columbia Parliament Buildings
British Columbia Parliament Buildings
The British Columbia Parliament Buildings are located in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada and are home to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia....
and The Empress Hotel
Empress Hotel
Empress Hotel may refer to:*The Empress in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada*The Empress Hotel in Asbury Park, New Jersey, United States*Empress Hotel in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia...
. It is one of the largest annual symphony events in North America. Hundreds of people also gather in boats and kayaks to watch the concert. Each year, a young soloist is a featured performer with the orchestra.
British Columbia 150th Anniversary (2008)
The 2008 event on Sunday, August 3, 2008 coincided with the 150th Anniversary of the founding of British ColumbiaBritish Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
Province and the capital, Victoria BC's 165th anniversary of its founding as Fort Victoria
Fort Victoria (British Columbia)
Fort Victoria was a fur trading post of the Hudson’s Bay Company, the headquarters of HBC operations in British Columbia. The fort was the beginnings of a settlement that eventually grew into the modern Victoria, British Columbia, the capital city of British Columbia.The headquarters of HBC...
. On BC Day, August 4, 2008, BC Premier
Premier
Premier is a title for the head of government in some countries and states.-Examples by country:In many nations, "premier" is used interchangeably with "prime minister"...
Gordon Campbell, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper
Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election...
, and other politicians were on stage to start the festivities. Musicians/bands Colin James
Colin James
Colin James is a Canadian singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer, who plays in the blues, rock, and neo-swing genres. He grew up as a Quaker.-Early years:...
, Burton Cummings
Burton Cummings
Burton L. Cummings, OC, OM is a Canadian musician and songwriter.He was the lead singer and frequent keyboardist for the Canadian rock band The Guess Who...
, Sarah McLachlan
Sarah McLachlan
Sarah Ann McLachlan, OC, OBC is a Canadian musician, singer and songwriter. Known for her emotional ballads and mezzo-soprano vocal range, as of 2006, she has sold over 40 million albums worldwide. McLachlan's best-selling album to date is Surfacing, for which she won two Grammy Awards and four...
, and Feist performed in front of the Legislature Buildings, for approximately 40000 spectators.