VPO History

The VPO celebrated its 40th season in 2003/2004. The orchestra's survival is owing to the talents of many committed people, including our predecessors. We look back and admire their foresight and dedication.

Our beginning is marked as the coming together of two string orchestras of the early sixties. These were the Dunbar Community Centre Orchestra, conducted by Jean Glazer and the Jewish Community Centre Orchestra conducted by Jerry Glass. The addition of wind players in 1963-4 created a full symphony under the direction of Annette Coates.

In 1965 Leonard Camplin was appointed Music Director and the following year the symphony was incorporated as the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra, becoming the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra in 1972.

Since then the orchestra has had several conductors, notably Jerry Domer who directed the ensemble for eighteen years, 1976-1993, in which time a solid repertoire was established and the orchestra was giving four or five concerts a year.

The late Wallace Leung was an inspiration to us all. Under his direction, from 1996-2001, the orchestra grew in strength and moved forward musically. His sudden death was a tragic loss, both to us and to the musical world which was deprived of a young man of great promise.

The search for a new conductor over the following year brought to the podium an impressive range of talent. Jean Castelao was selected and he conducted the orchestra from 2003 to 2006. On his return to Spain the position was filled by Jin Zhang who continues to lead us in exciting and challenging programmes.

Over the years we have provided opportunities for soloists to perform with us. We have also partnered with community choirs and had joint concerts with other orchestras. From 1998 to 2004 we collaborated with the UBC Opera Program to mount a fully staged opera at the Chan Centre.

We are now a full symphony 50-60 players strong. Our founders would be proud of us.

VPO has been honoured to attract talented, dedicated Music Directors / Conductors to nurture the orchestra and help us bring out the best of the music we play. This talented alumni includes:

• Annette Coates 1964-66
• Leonard Camplin 1966-72
• Paul Douglas 1972-76
• Jerry Domer 1976-93
• Jesse Read 1993-95
• Wallace Leung 1996-2001
• Juan Castelao 2003-2006
• Jin (Jack) Zhang - Current