Following a nearly sold-out concert at Meaford Hall, violinist Victoria Yeh returns to her beloved former hometown to perform with the Georgian Bay Symphony on Saturday, April 5, at East Ridge Community School, in Owen Sound.
Yeh will be performing the Concerto for Jazz Violin by contemporary composer Scott Routenberg, marking the second ever Canadian performance of this masterpiece. The piece is written in a classical three-movement form featuring a violin soloist alongside a full symphony orchestra, but with a distinct flavour of fiddle and jazz stylings. And true to the spirit of jazz, the piece interweaves pre-written elements with unique improvisation and embellishments from the soloist. For those who have seen Yeh perform in the past, they’ll be delighted to see her creative use of live-looping and effects on stage which play off both her classical virtuosity and fearless contemporary style.
Having served as Guest Concertmaster for the Georgian Bay Symphony while she was residing in the area, Victoria has maintained strong ties with the community and still counts members of the symphony among her current students.
“The community in Georgian Bay – from Owen Sound, Meaford, Thornbury and Collingwood – has been pivotal in my growth as a solo artist, and I am so grateful for all the opportunities I was afforded when I lived here,” said Yeh, whose past performances have included a 50th Anniversary of Woodstock concert at Meaford Hall and countless performances at the Leeky Canoe, the Bruce Wine Bar, Gio & Fran’s, The Corner, and more. “The audiences have always been very open-minded to my new music and I’m so thrilled to be returning to showcase a piece that is at the intersection of classical music and jazz.”
The Georgian Bay Symphony will be led by recently appointed Conductor and Artistic Director Jeffrey Pollock, and features both professional musicians alongside community members from all walks of life.
Whether you’ve been to a symphony before or not, this concert will feature music that is sure to delight. Tickets for this ‘Spring Into April’ concert are available at www.georgianbaysymphony.ca, with proceeds supporting the continuing work of this important community orchestra.
