Over 60K spectators experienced Victoria's 'magical' return of Symphony Splash

The much-anticipated return of Symphony Splash presented by the Victoria Symphony on the August long weekend was nothing short of magical, maestro Sean O'Loughlin said. "Seeing music connect the community in such a transcendent way was inspiring, both on land and on water!" The two-day concert series, on Aug. 2 and 3, took place on a floating barge in the Inner Harbour, making it the only event of its kind in North America. This year, the festival drew an estimated 60,000+ spectators. Two sets of music filled the Inner Harbour each day, with a lineup featuring 91 members of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, Juno Award-winning and nominated Indigenous artists Celeigh Cardinal and Shawnee Kish, B.C. Hall of Fame percussionist Sal Ferreras, Cuban vocalist Adonis Puentes, a Latin jazz sextet and the Victoria Symphony. Three hundred and forty-five volunteers poured effort and a total of 1,464 hours into the event. Island Savings sponsored the Symphony Splash Volunteer Program. Victoria Symphony CEO Matthew White highlighted in a press release the feat that Symphony Splash is produced entirely by the symphony.  "Getting it back on the barge has been a multi-year effort, which for a local not-for-profit arts organization is a monumental task. Without our volunteers, this event simply wouldn’t happen.” Victoria Symphony partnered with the Victoria Native Friendship Centre on a new initiative, In Harmony, with all donations collected during Splash! split equally between the two organizations to support youth programming and music education. Also new this year were Community Stage performances around the harbour, sponsored by Peninsula Co-op and the Royal BC Museum. National Youth Orchestra's participation in the event marked the end of its 65th anniversary tour. CEO Christie Gray said the moment was a momentous one for the musical group. "Performing from a floating stage, surrounded by water and thousands of people gathered around the harbour, created an energy you simply can't find anywhere else,” she said in a press release.