From Bach to brand-new works, intimate chamber music to the full force of chorus and orchestra, the University of Victoria School of Music’s 2026/27 concert season celebrates the ways musical traditions continue to evolve.
The season opens with celebrated pianist Minsoo Sohn performing J.S. Bach’s monumental Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I over two evenings (Sept. 22–23). On Sept. 26, acclaimed new music ensemble Thin Edge New Music Collective presents a world premiere by Anthony Tan for violin, piano, and electronics.
Throughout the season, a new generation of award-winning string quartets brings fresh perspectives to the chamber music tradition. The Katarina String Quartet (Oct. 15), New Orford String Quartet (Jan. 26), and Viano Quartet (Mar. 19) pair works by the greats of the repertoire with newly written music, revealing the string quartet as a tradition that remains very much alive and evolving.
For audiences drawn to intimate chamber music, School of Music faculty and guests offer programs that invite close listening. Cello professor Pamela Highbaugh Aloni performs with violinist Kerry DuWors and pianist Futaba Niekawa (Oct. 8), while Aloni and pianist Arthur Rowe explore Beethoven, Stravinsky, and Brahms (Nov. 5).
The School’s large ensembles offer some of our most powerful musical experiences. The Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Concert Band, and Chorus perform repertoire spanning centuries, featuring student soloists, commissioned works and premieres, guest conductors, and community collaborations. The Wind Symphony joins The Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy (Feb. 5), while the UVic Chorus and Orchestra bring Carl Orff’s epic Carmina Burana to the stage (Apr. 4).
The concert calendar is also filled with student recitals, where traditional repertoire shares programs with brand new works by student composers. These performances offer a glimpse into musicians finding their own voices while building on the traditions that came before them.
With masterpieces to rediscover, new music to encounter, and artists at every stage of their careers, the 2026/27 season invites audiences to experience live music as a meeting place between where we’ve been and where we’re going.
Make UVic Music Part of Your Season
Many events are free or by donation. Ticketed concerts offer special pricing and pay-what-you-can options. View the full calendar and purchase tickets at
uvic.ca/music/events.
