An inspiring story will be retold in a special concert by the Victoria Symphony this October in the Bay Street Armoury, to commemorate the centenary of the First World War.
Scots-born British Columbian James Cleland Richardson was a piper in the Canadian Scottish Regiment. In 1916 at the Somme, the company came under intense fire. Richardson obtained permission to play them “over the top.”
As he strode up and down outside the wire playing his pipes, he so motivated the men that they rushed the enemy and captured the position. Later, he was helping wounded comrades when he insisted on turning back to recover his pipes. He was never seen again.
He received a Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry.
When words are not able to say adequately what must be said, music communicates our deepest feelings. When Richardson sought to inspire people who desperately needed to be inspired, he used the power of music. A century later, we too use music and the arts to tell our stories, move our thoughts and emotions, and form a community.
Through a new work, commissioned with the help of the Victoria Foundation, the Victoria Symphony will tell Richardson’s story. Through music, we will mourn and celebrate and remember.
Last season, the Victoria Foundation supported another Victoria Symphony initiative: To celebrate the heritage of our city through a recreation of its Chinatown, the oldest in Canada. Again, that project represents the timeless message of music. As we listen, we are transported in time, and understand in an instant other people, other cultures.
One of the greatest joys for me as music director of this orchestra is working with so many wonderful organizations and individuals in this city to create meaningful and impactful community events together. We are all richer for our collaboration. Together, we create a beautiful tapestry that is our community.
I believe that a city is made great by the beauty of its surroundings, the diversity of its people, and the quality of its cultural life. The arts bring people together. Symphony Splash brings people together. Pacific Opera, Ballet Victoria, our theatre companies and museums all shape us into a community that is unique and blessed. Music and the arts enrich and transform us.
One of the most challenging, yet important, things that the symphony or any arts organization does is create new works. To present music of our time is to capture who we are now, what our culture is today, and to share it with the future.
We cherish the roots of classical music; to perform Brahms and Beethoven is an experience that constantly inspires us as musicians. But to reach new audiences, build new bridges within the community, and connect to what is important in our contemporary lives is an equally high priority.
In the last concert of this season, the Victoria Symphony will première the final movement of a new New World Symphony by our composer-in-residence, Michael Oesterle. In this work, Michael takes us on the journey of a boy immigrating to Canada. It’s his own story, a story of our time, a story of Canada’s multiculturalism.
We have nurtured a new musical voice to stand beside that of Antonin Dvorak, who wrote the first New World Symphony 120 years ago.
I believe we must share the precious gift of the arts with young people, so they may have it all their lives. This is more important than ever as contemporary culture tempts them into mindless diversions and music is less supported in the schools. As the 75th anniversary of the Victoria Symphony approaches, it’s a key goal to expand our programs for children. Currently, we reach about 7,000 of them every year, but there is much more to be done.
To support an orchestra or any arts organization is an enormous and expensive responsibility. I’m thankful that it’s one this community takes seriously. This city boasts a quality and range of culture far beyond its size, because of the support you give it. In return, we in the arts endeavour to give back to the community something that is beautiful and precious.
But none of us must ever take these gifts for granted — neither the gift of the arts, nor the gift of support. We need each other to make Victoria a magnificent place to call home.
Maestra Tania Miller is music director of the Victoria Symphony. This is an edited version of remarks delivered to the Victoria Foundation on April 3.
