Tania Miller signs with Victoria Symphony for another 3 years

Victoria, BC ’Äì Music Director Tania Miller has renewed her contract with the Victoria Symphony for another three years. Beginning immediately this contract will extend to 2013 bringing her to a total of 10 years as Music Director of Vancouver Island’Äôs largest performing arts organization.

Maestra Miller has been the Music Director of the Victoria Symphony since 2003, and has been instrumental in raising the bar of the Orchestra. She has initiated many new programs with the Victoria Symphony in the last seven years. Highlights of the past seasons include the Beethoven Festival, three Mozart Festivals, the New Currents Festival of new music, and the Odyssey Series and Royal Tea Series. Education initiatives include: the Young Musicians Concerto Showcase concerts, the Rink Cycle concert performed with 1000 Greater Victoria students, the addition of K-3 education concerts, and vsNEW, the program for young composers. Her commitment to new music has presented many world premieres for the Orchestra, garnering special praise from the Canada Council for Arts, and has supported the tenures of four composers in residences while in Victoria.

Victoria Symphony Board President, Deedrie Ballard, worked with Ms. Miller to finalize the new contract and is very pleased with her decision to remain as the Symphony’Äôs Music Director. "The Board of Directors feels that the Symphony and our many supporters are extremely fortunate to have Tania Miller under contract for an additional three years. It helps solidify our position as one of the most significant Arts organizations in the Province of British Columbia."

Ms. Miller joined the Victoria Symphony as Music Director in September 2003. As Music Director, Ms. Miller is responsible for programming, conducting the orchestra, and inviting soloists and guest conductors. She conducts between 10 and 12 concerts per season. As a spokesperson for the Victoria Symphony, she participates in events, media interviews, and appears at fund-raising activities. Continuously being involved in and connecting with the community, the public has witnessed Ms. Miller marry Tom Moonen, raise two sons Matthew (4) and Ben (2), and become a popular public figure in Victoria.

Maestra Miller is excited to be continuing with the Victoria Symphony. ’ÄúI am thrilled to be continuing as Music Director of the Victoria Symphony. I have grown very fond of the Orchestra. It has so many wonderful and warm people and I am surrounded each day by extraordinary talent. I am proud of the orchestra and its many accomplishments and look forward to our future together.’Äù

Ms. Miller joined the Victoria Symphony as Music Director in September 2003. The 2009-2010 season marks Tania Miller's seventh as music director of the Orchestra, an appointment that made her the first Canadian woman to be appointed to such a significant position in Canada. Her vibrancy and dynamic approach to music making have inspired many innovations with the Victoria Symphony and a new era of artistic growth for the orchestra.

The Victoria Symphony is Vancouver Island’Äôs largest and most active arts organization performing for more than 125,000 people each year, including 10,000 schoolchildren. Showcasing the outstanding talents of its musicians and guest artists, the Victoria Symphony’Äôs 2009-2010 season offers a diverse and exciting line-up of over 50 concerts.

Maestra Miller will conduct the following upcoming performances:

Haydn, Prokofiev and Mozart
Nancy Argenta, soprano
November 22, 2009
University Centre

Ehnes plays Beethoven
James Ehnes, violin
December 7, 2009
Royal Theatre

What a Wonderful World
Rachel Landrecht, soprano
December 14, 15, & 16
Royal Theatre