Details of the 20th Birthday of Bayview Residences Victoria Symphony Splash announced today

The largest annual outdoor symphony concert in British Columbia turns 20!

Victoria, BC ’Äì Details of the 2009 Bayview Residences Victoria Symphony Splash were unveiled today in a Bayview Residences penthouse overlooking the event site. Sunday, August 2^nd marks the 20^th birthday of this spectacular community event. Twelve of the original Victoria Symphony orchestra members will make return appearances and 15 year old pianist Christine Wong and 18 year old tenor Josh Lovell make their debut as the 2009 Young Soloists.

In her opening remarks the Victoria Symphony’Äôs Music Director Tania Miller stated ’ÄúThis city has a wealth of gifts and I believe that Bayview Residences Victoria Symphony Splash and the incredibly talented musicians of the Victoria Symphony are two of them. This annual concert is such a great community event and one that I am proud to be a part of ’Äì I give my thanks on this 20^th Birthday to those that created it, Murray Glazier in particular, and the many supporters, including our title sponsor Bayview Residences, who keep it alive so that we can continue to bring orchestral music into the community.’Äù

Ken Mariash, owner of Bayview Properties, announced that the corporate support of the event is stronger than ever with the Provincial Capital Commission and A British Columbia joining Bayview Residences, WestJet, Thrifty Foods, Splashes Kitchen and Bath, 98.5 The Ocean and JACKfm, the Times Colonist, Tom Lee Music, Seaspan International and Level Ground Trading as corporate sponsors of this event.

Maestra Tania Miller proudly announced that at least 12 members of the Victoria Symphony orchestra who performed in 1990 will be performing this year, among them Principal Cello Lawrence Skaggs, Principal Flute Richard Volet, Principal Oboe Michael Byrne, and Principal Bass Mary Rannie.

The Victoria Symphony’Äôs concert program is full of musical favourites from previous years. Maestra Tania Miller has chosen Elgar’Äôs Pomp and Circumstance March no. 4 to open the concert, which was performed in the very first Splash concert in 1990.Gershwin’Äôs Rhapsody in Blue will be performed by 15 year old pianist Christine Wong. This same piece was performed by the first Splash Young Soloist, Timothy Haig, in 1994.

Symphony Splash founder, Murray Glazier gave a moving recollection of how, along with former General Manager C. Stephen Smith, and former Music Director Peter McCoppin, he brought the Victoria Symphony to the people on a sunny day in August. He recalled being moved to tears as he looked out over the crowd of over 30,000 people who flooded the Inner Harbour for what was initially thought to be a crazy idea.

Many traditions have been established during the two decades of this event, including the Canadian Scottish Regiment Pipe and Drum Band who not only have the distinction of playing a prominent role in Bayview Symphony Splash but also of having the only member to actually make an actual ’Äúsplash’Äù during the event when one of the pipers fell into the harbour.

Perhaps the best loved tradition is the Victoria Symphony performance of Tchaikovsky’Äôs 1812 Overture accompanied by and fireworks. On August 2^nd it will be performed for 20^th time in as many years at the event.

The 20^th Birthday of Bayview Residences Victoria Symphony Splash takes place on August 2^nd, 2009. From a floating stage in Victoria’Äôs picturesque Inner Harbour, Maestra Tania Miller, the Victoria Symphony and special guests celebrate the remarkable 20 year history of this incredible event. The day begins at 2pm with kids’Äô activities on the Provincial legislative lawn and ends with Victoria Symphony’Äôs performance of Tchaikovsky’Äôs 1812 Overture at 10pm accompanied by fireworks and cannons.

Bayview Residences is proud to be the title sponsor of the annual Bayview Residences Victoria Symphony Splash. A master-planned, 20 acre urban community, Bayview Residences overlooks Victoria’Äôs world famous Inner Harbour. Bayview One is currently open for immediate occupancy. For further information, please visit us at 80 Saghalie Road, phone 250.388.9924 or visit www.bayviewvictoria.com.