The VSO Presents the Legendary Judy Collins for One Night Only!

The VSO presents the legendary Judy Collins for One Night Only!

Vancouver BC ’Äì The iconic Judy Collins makes her debut with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and conductor Evan Mitchell, for one night only on March 30, 8pm, at the Orpheum Theatre. Known as one of folk music’Äôs pioneers, Ms. Collins has firmly established herself as a legend of the genre with a career that spans over four decades.

While Judy Collins made her public debut performing Mozart's "Concerto for Two Pianos," at the age of 13, it was the music of traditional folk artists such as Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger that sparked Judy Collins’Äô love of lyrics. By 16, Ms. Collins moved away from classical piano and began her lifelong love of guitar. For nearly 45 years, she has galvanized a generation with more than 40 albums, numerous Top 10 hits, Grammy nominations and gold and platinum selling albums.

Ms. Collins is often noted in her career for her rendition of "Both Sides Now" on her classic album Wildflowers, a song which has since been entered into the Grammy Hall of Fame. She was also awarded the "Song of the Year" at the 1975 Grammy Awards for her version of "Send in the Clowns", a ballad written by Stephen Sondheim for the Broadway musical, "A Little Night Music". Without doubt, the definition of a living legend, Ms. Collins has seen her artistry influence music and politics over the decades and her vocal interpretations and charity work inspire millions around the world. Ms. Collins has also given inspiration to many who have felt the grief of loved ones lost too soon, with the release of her book, Sanity and Grace: A Journey of Suicide, Survival and Strength. This book is a deeply moving memoir, focusing on the death of her only son and the healing process following the tragedy. The book speaks to all who have endured the sorrow of losing a loved one before their time. In the depths of her suffering, Judy found relief by reaching out to others for help and support. Now, she extends her hand to comfort other survivors whose lives have been affected by similar tragedy.

Truly a unique, powerful and lasting performer, the inimitable Judy Collins appears for one night only with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra on March 30th, 2009, 8pm at the Orpheum. Visit Ms. Collins online at www.judycollins.com.

CONCERT INFO

Specials:

Judy Collins in Concert with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra!

Monday, March 30, 8pm, Orpheum Theatre

Evan Mitchell, conductor

Judy Collins, entertainer

Visit Judy Collins at: www.judycollins.com

Tickets: $35 to $55 (Senior, Student & Subscriber discounts available)

Tickets available by phone at 604.876.3434 or online at www.vancouversymphony.ca

BIOGRAPHIES

Evan Mitchell, conductor

Conductor Evan Mitchell is proving to be one of Canada’Äôs most promising young conductors. Currently the Assistant Conductor of the Vancouver Symphony, Evan is slated to play a key role in programming, artistic development and of course performance with the VSO, leading the orchestra through a wide assortment of concerts.

Equally at home with chamber music, opera and full symphonic masterpieces, Evan has enjoyed critical acclaim with recent operatic performances including Britten’Äôs Albert Herring, Ward’Äôs The Crucible, Hindemith’Äôs ’ÄúHin und Zuruck’Äù and the world premiere of Glenn James’Äô opera ’ÄúTo Daniel.’Äù Evan also won positions with the National Academy Orchestra of Canada for four consecutive years as both conductor and percussionist and now holds the title of Associate Mentor with the orchestra. Highlights include conducting violin soloist Elizabeth Pitcairn, the concertmaster of the New West Symphony and owner of the Mendelssohn Stradivarius 1720 ’ÄúRed Violin.’Äù

Evan is an advocate of contemporary music. Recently the resident conductor of NUMUS New Music Ensemble, he has premiered several new works, toured across Canada conducting a festival of contemporary Chinese music and recorded works for the CMC, collaborating with such Canadian artists as the Pentaedre Wind Quintet, Penderecki String Quartet and Dancetheatre David Earle. Evan has also conducted and performed works during the highly acclaimed Open Ears Festival.

As a percussionist Evan has enjoyed equal success. In demand as a recitalist and concert soloist (recent performances of the Rosauro Marimba concerto and the Mayuzumi Xylophone concerto), Evan’Äôs percussive performance has been hailed as ’Äúbreathtaking in (his) sensitivity’Äù as well as ’Äúwizardly’Äù and ’Äúawe-inspiring.’Äù Evan has toured Canada, the United States and abroad, including a memorable tour as Canadian ambassador during a concert tour with virtuoso composer/percussionist Nebojsa Zivkovic, during which he performed as concert soloist and along with the composer in a sold out performance of Zivkovic's celebrated ’ÄúTrio per Uno’Äù at the Stuttgart International Theatre. Evan is a frequent performer with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony and has performed with Orchestra London and the Toronto Symphony. Evan has also been a faculty member and guest lecturer with Wilfrid Laurier University, primarily as Music Director of the Flute Ensemble.

Awards include First Prize at the Werlde Musik Kontest in Kerkrade, Netherlands, finalist at the upcoming TD Canada Trust Elora Festival Competition and Winner in Marching category as part of the Kavaliers DCI Drum Corps. Evan is also the winner of the 2006 Pioneer Leading Edge Arts Award.

Evan is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University where he completed an Bachelor of Music degree as a percussion major; he is also a graduate of the University of Toronto, where he studied on a full scholarship sponsored by Elmer Iseler and Victor Feldbrill, earning a Masters degree in conducting. His principal conducting teachers include Raffi Armenian, Doreen Rao, Paul Pulford and Boris Brott. Additionally, he has studied and performed in concert series with Denise Grant, Martin Fischer-Dieskau and most notably, Helmuth Rilling, in the inaugural Toronto Bach festival.

Judy Collins, entertainer

Judy Collins has thrilled audiences worldwide with her unique blend of interpretative folksongs and contemporary themes. Her impressive career has spanned more than 40 years. At 13, Judy Collins made her public debut performing Mozart's "Concerto for Two Pianos" but it was the music of such artists as Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, as well as the traditional songs of the folk revival, that sparked Judy Collins' love of lyrics. She soon moved away from the classical piano and began her lifelong love with the guitar. In 1961, Judy Collins released her first album, A Maid of Constant Sorrow, at the age of 22 and began a thirty-five year association with Jac Holzman and Elektra Records.

Judy Collins is also noted for her rendition of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" on her classic 1967 album, Wildflowers. "Both Sides Now" has since been entered into the Grammy's Hall of Fame. Winning "Song of the Year" at the 1975 Grammy's Awards show was Judy's version of "Send in the Clowns," a ballad written by Stephen Sondheim for the Broadway musical "A Little Night Music."

Released on September 29th, Judy's new book, Sanity and Grace, A Journey of Suicide, Survival and Strength, is a deeply moving memoir, focusing on the death of her only son and the healing process following the tragedy. The book speaks to all who have endured the sorrow of losing a loved one before their time. In the depths of her suffering, Judy found relief by reaching out to others for help and support. Now, she extends her hand to comfort other survivors whose lives have been affected by similar tragedy.

In a recent appearance on ABC's Good Morning America, Judy performed "Wings of Angels," the heartbreaking ballad that she wrote about the loss of her son. The song is currently available on the newly released Judy Collins Wildflower Festival CD and DVD, which also feature guest artists Arlo Guthrie, Tom Rush and Eric Andersen. This extraordinary concert was filmed at the famed Humphrey's By the Bay in San Diego, CA. The concert was the culmination of a 25 city national tour.

Judy Collins continues to create music of hope and healing that lights up the world and speaks to the heart.