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VAM Symphony Orchestra: How the Grinch Stole Christmas hits the Orpheum and Kay Meek Arts Centre, December 10 and 17

The festive concert also features Vivaldi’s Four Seasons

By Gail Johnson

VAM Symphony Orchestra: How the Grinch Stole Christmas takes place December 10 at 2 pm at the Orpheum and December 17 at 2 pm at the Kay Meek Arts Centre

“YOU’RE A MEAN ONE, Mr. Grinch/You really are a heel/You're as cuddly as a cactus, you're as charming as an eel/Mr. Grinch/You're a bad banana with a greasy black peel!” The 1966 How the Grinch Stole Christmas is iconic, and so is the original score by Albert Hague.

Vancouver Academy of Music (VAM) Symphony Orchestra will perform the score as part of its 2023 seasonal offering.

Also on the program is Vivaldi’s timeless 1723 Four Seasons. The four violin concerti are based on sonnets describing each of the seasons; no one is sure where the text originated, with many assuming Vivaldi wrote the words himself.

VAM is made up of some of Canada’s most promising young orchestral players. Conducting the orchestra is maestro Ian Parker. Parker is also a pianist who has appeared with top Canadian orchestras such as the symphonies of Toronto, Quebec, Vancouver, Victoria, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Orchestre Métropolitain, and the Calgary Philharmonic.

More information is at https://vancouveracademyofmusic.com/events/.

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Gail Johnson

Gail Johnson is cofounder and associate editor of Stir. She is a Vancouver-based journalist who has earned local and national nominations and awards for her work. She is a certified Gladue Report writer via Indigenous Perspectives Society in partnership with Royal Roads University and is a member of a judging panel for top Vancouver restaurants.

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