About EMV
Under the leadership of Artistic/Executive Director, and internationally acclaimed soprano, Suzie LeBlanc, C.M. Early Music Vancouver (EMV) has been a much-loved, and vital contributor to Vancouver’s cultural scene for more than 50 years. EMV presents a packed performance calendar with 40+ live performances and digital concerts a year featuring some of the most renowned artists in the early music genre drawn from all parts of the globe. It also presents concerts in Victoria on Vancouver Island under the Pacific Baroque Series banner.
In addition, Early Music Vancouver presents an annual week-long festival in the summer (including an artist-in-residence component), produces Notations (a series of informative behind-the-scenes podcasts) and presents online courses. EMV also offers a Baroque Orchestra Mentorship Programme, plus a BC Scholarship Programme for professional-track music students or active professional musicians seeking to develop skills in early music performance.
The Pacific Baroque Orchestra (PBO) is EMV’s ‘house band’. Under the direction of Alexander Weimann, PBO is recognized as one of Canada’s most exciting and innovative early music ensembles. It also tours extensively throughout the Canada and the U.S.
The phrase ‘early music’ often refers to European music from the Medieval Period through to the Baroque (about 1800). At EMV it also encompasses music from outside the western European tradition to that of other cultures within the same period – Tang Dynasty China and the Ottoman and Persian empires for instance. EMV also explores music from the 19th century with historically informed performances on its restored fortepianos – re-creating the original sound of the music as the composer heard it.
EMV concerts offer a platform for cross-cultural dialogue and exploration of diverse perspectives and relationships with the past. Live performances take place in Vancouver at venues such as Christ Church Cathedral, the Chan Centre (UBC), St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church, and Kay Meek Arts Centre (West Vancouver). In Victoria, concert venues include Christ Church Cathedral Victoria and First Church of Christ Scientist.
Vision
A world in which the power of music inspires all people to engage with and value the arts.
Mission
To engage, enrich and educate through music
Values
We promote historically informed performance practices.
We deliver inspirational experiences.
We foster collaborative relationships.
We generate opportunities that support local early music professionals.
We commit to inclusivity in all our activities.
We strive for excellence and sustainability in everything we do.
EMV’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Early Music Vancouver’s mission is to engage, enrich, and educate through music. In alignment with this mission, the Board of Directors, management and staff of Early Music Vancouver are committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. This extends to the consideration of who is in the audience, whose music is heard, who performs that music, and how we operate as a leading performing arts organization. We make these commitments in recognition that discrimination and exclusion in all their forms are realities in our society, and we endeavour to use the power of music to promote understanding and change.
EMV is committed to providing a productive, professional and collegial work environment based on the principles of fairness and respect. Read our Discrimination and Harassment Policy here.
To read EMV’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols, click here.
For our latest Annual Report, click here.
EMV acknowledges that we operate on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples – the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.
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