The Vancouver Society for Early Music is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and performance of historically informed early music. Established in 1969, it is one of the oldest and most active early music societies in North America, fostering appreciation for medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque music. The organization originally operated under the name Vancouver Society for Early Music before adopting the public identity Early Music Vancouver (EMV).

History and Mission

Founded by David Skulski, Ray Nurse, Jon Washburn, Hans-Karl Piltz, and Cuyler Page, the organization was created to cultivate interest in early music and to provide a platform for performance and education related to the repertoire spanning from the Middle Ages through the Baroque periods. Over more than fifty years, EMV has played a pivotal role in Vancouver's cultural scene and has gained international recognition as one of the largest and most successful early music organizations in North America[2][5].

Activities and Programs

Early Music Vancouver presents a robust annual schedule of over 40 live and digital performances each year, featuring internationally renowned early music artists and ensembles. Unique among classical music organizations, it combines presenting visiting artists with producing its own concerts, specifically through its 'house band,' the Pacific Baroque Orchestra (PBO). Under the direction of Alexander Weimann, PBO is acclaimed as one of Canada's most innovative early music ensembles, touring extensively across Canada and the United States[2].

The organization also hosts an annual 10-day Bach Festival that includes an artist-in-residence program, produces educational podcasts entitled Notations, and offers online courses. Its educational outreach extends to a Baroque Orchestra Mentorship Programme and a British Columbia Scholarship Programme designed to support music students and professional musicians developing skills in early music performance[2][3].

Repertoire and Contributions

While primarily focused on music from the medieval to late Baroque eras, Early Music Vancouver has expanded its scope to include repertoire from the 19th and early 20th centuries performed on period instruments. The organization also explores new compositions for early instruments and embraces early music traditions from non-Western cultures, broadening the definition and audience of early music[5].

Recognition

EMV has hosted over a thousand concerts featuring many of the world's leading early music artists and ensembles. Its successes include sold-out concerts at Vancouver's Orpheum Theatre by internationally renowned groups such as Musica Antique Köln and the Tallis Scholars. The organization is recognized for promoting historically informed performance practices and delivering inspirational musical experiences, contributing significantly to the cultural fabric both locally and internationally[2][5].

Legal Status: Registered Canadian nonprofit with business registration number 108167776RR0001.

[1] https://www.earlymusic.bc.ca [2] https://www.earlymusicamerica.org/organizations/early-music-vancouver/ [3] https://causes.benevity.org/causes/124-108167776RR0001 [4] https://www.instagram.com/earlymusicvancouver/ [5] https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/early-music-vancouver-emc