FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEE IT…HEAR IT….LOVE IT… ENJOY THE SOUND OF A $900,000 VIOLIN AT
SYMPHONY SEASON FINALE
(Kelowna, BC, April 27, 2015) – The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra (OSO) welcomes British Columbia’s Jonathan Chan;
an internationally acclaimed pianist and violinist to the stage May 8-10 for the OSO’s 56th season finale.
The concert opens in Kelowna on Friday, May 8th at 8:00pm (doors & pre-concert chat 7:00pm) with additional
performances in Penticton Saturday, May 9th at 7:30pm (doors & pre-concert chat 6:30pm) and Vernon on Sunday, May
10th at 7:00pm (doors & pre-concert chat 6:00pm). Tickets are $52.50 for adults; $45.50 for seniors and $24.50 for youth
and are available for the Penticton and Kelowna concerts by phone through Kelowna Tickets at 250.862.2867, and the
Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre phone 250.549.7469 or online via www.okanagansymphony.com.
“We are thrilled to welcome 2012 Canada Council for the Arts Musical Instrument Bank winner for violin to our stage,”
comments Rosemary Thomson, Music Director, Okanagan Symphony Orchestra. “Jonathan is incredibly talented and this
award is proof of this as very few musicians are awarded such a prestigious award after competing in a very intense
competition. His talent with for violin is just a start; he is equally talented on piano and we are fortunate to have him
perform with both instruments at our season finale.”
“TITANS” brings you from the storm of Wagner’s Flying Dutchman Overture to the triumph of Hindesmith’s Symphonic
Metamorphosis on Themes of Carl Maria von Weber, and Jeffrey Ryan’s The Linearity of Light as the OSO season finale
celebrates the music of German romanticism. Double threat Jonathan Chan performs in two virtuoso showpieces: as
piano soloist in Franz Liszt’s dazzling Hungarian Fantasy; and as violin soloist in the richly emotional Concerto in G Minor
by Bruch.
Canadian born artist, Jonathan Chan, began playing the violin and piano at the age of 4. Since making his solo debut with
the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra at just 8 years of age, he has gone on to perform across 4 different continents.
Hailing from Vancouver, British Columbia, Jonathan studied violin with Ms. Lawrie Hill and Professor Taras Gabora, and
piano with Ms. Lorraine Ambrose at the Vancouver Academy of Music. Upon graduating from secondary school, he was
awarded the Arts Bowl in recognition of his outstanding contribution to visual and performing arts. Amongst his
numerous accolades and national recognitions, Jonathan is a three time Grand Prize winner of the Canadian Music
Competition and has performed in many festivals across the country. Privileged and fortunate, he had the honour of
performing for former Prime Minister Jean Chretien’s nationally televised retirement concert, playing for over 10 000
people and sharing the stage at the Air Canada Center with other renowned artists including Cirque du Soleil, Oliver
Jones, Paul Anka, and the late legendary pianist, Oscar Peterson.
“In addition to our amazing soloist, our professional orchestra will express their talent with these incredible and difficult
pieces which will leave attendees inspired to go home and learn to play an instrument,” states Thomson. “We look
forward to welcoming audiences in the Okanagan for this powerful finish to a glorious season.”
The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra is the third largest professional Symphony Orchestra in British Columbia;
entertaining residents of the Okanagan Valley and visitors from around the globe with symphonic music since 1960. To
learn more about the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra visit their website at www.okanagansymphony.com or follow at
www.twitter.com/OKSymponyOrch or www.facebook.com/OkanaganSymphonyOrchestra. See it, Hear it, Love it!