Vancouver Symphony Orchestra goes virtual to ‘keep the music going’
Posted February 17, 2021 7:01 pm.
Last Updated February 17, 2021 8:08 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) will be holding its first virtual benefit concert Thursday night to raise funds after losing millions in revenue during the pandemic.
President and CEO Angela Elster says the VSO has lost $9 million so far after COVID-19 forced shutdowns nearly a year ago.
But she says they took a chance and built a digital concert hall to host “The Show Must Go On: Stories of Resilience,” which aims to make up for at least some of that shortfall.
"The show must go on." It's not just an old show business saying, it's also the name of a virtual gala concert Thursday night, featuring k.d. lang, Geddy Lee, & Steven Page, among others. Organizers hope to raise $500,000 for the @VSOrchestra. Details on @NEWS1130. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/BchoVzzyqC
— John Ackermann ???? (@jackermann) February 18, 2021
“This is one strategy amongst many strategies to keep the music going, to keep the show going on. It’s very important for us to keep the music going,” Elster tells NEWS 1130.
“The whole idea of that concert is to bring great artists together, to hear their stories of resilience, to sing songs of resilience, and play music of resilience.”
Special guests include Itzhak Perlman, k.d. lang, Geddy Lee, and Steven Page, among others.
Elster says they hope to raise at least $500,00 for the VSO and the VSO School of Music.
As soon as the VSO is allowed to hold in-person concerts again, Elster says they’ll be ready. Until then, the VSO will be focused on digital performances.
“I personally, and we collectively, at the VSO are deeply committed to viewing music as an antidote to COVID and as a means to elevate the spirit,” she says.
The virtual event will be live streamed at 6:30 p.m.
