Supporting our young musicians simply takes a minimum donation of $25 for a year's membership. As a society member you will receive a quarterly newsletter with all the news of the orchestra, upcoming events, player and parent news, and lots more. Donations are entirely tax deductible.

Join the 250 individuals and businesses in our community who care about young people and music by joining the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra Society. Your contribution helps us make music!

Endowments, Bursaries and Scholarships support the GVYO and its players.

The GVYO/Stuart Knussen Endowment – carrying the GVYO into the future

In 2007 the Board of the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra, with assistance from the Vancouver Foundation, through the BC Arts Renaissance Fund, established GVYO/Stuart Knussen Endowment, an operating endowment for the orchestra. The Endowment is named for GVYO founding music director, a distinguished British musician whose vision of high-standard orchestral training for young musicians has been sustained for 23 years, producing an ensemble respected across Canada.

Current Music Director János Sándor, himself an internationally acclaimed conductor, acknowledges the vital importance of the long-term endowment: “The beauty of a youth orchestra is that building the ensemble is an ongoing process. Every year we have literally a new orchestra…. It’s quite common to have 30-40% new players at the first rehearsal, and our work begins again to form a new and capable orchestra. We can be proud that our orchestra has such a strong identity and dedicated focus that our new members become confident in a surprisingly short time. They play wonderfully, and their sparkling eyes after a concert reflect pride and joy. We salute our orchestra’s bright future!”

The grant money is held by the Victoria Foundation as Trustee. Income generated from the endowment will help ensure the long-term financial viability of the orchestra, and enable new opportunities for growth. GVYO Board President John Sterk says, “Our board is grateful for the foresight of the provincial government and the Vancouver and Victoria Community Foundations, in establishing partnership opportunities for the sustainability of our orchestra, as well as for other arts organizations, fostering a healthy cultural climate in our province.”

Tax deductible contributions to the GVYO/Stuart Knussen Endowment may be made directly to the GVYO (cash) or to the Victoria Foundation (cash, stocks, mutual funds or bonds). Specify the GVYO/Stuart Knussen Endowment when making your donation.

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John Money Bursaries – named in honour of our first President, these bursaries are available to student players needing assistance towards payment of annual GVYO membership fees. Specify John Money Bursaries when making your donation.

GVYO Scholarships – a number of awards have been endowed by friends and patrons of the GVYO, to assist outstanding players with their musical studies. Information about these is available from the GVYO Office 250-360-1121.

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A note from our Season Sponsor:

Music was an incredible inspiration for me, whether it was playing my violin, piano, guitar or saxophone, setting up recording equipment or writing MP3 software in the mid-1990s. I think music by nature is an inquisitive language, invoking curiosity in both the listener and the player. Through music I learned to be curious about the world around me. Instead of learning as a student, I wanted to truly understand. This "learned curiosity" has served me well in life and in my career.

I enthusiastically support the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra knowing that each of these students has the opportunity to develop a confidence that will contribute to a fulfilling life and a successful career. All the best for a great season!

Richard E. Hughes, BBA, CIM, CFP
Investment Advisor & Financial Planner
RBC Dominion Securities
The Royal Bank Building
707 Fort St. - 1st Floor

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