Young pianist helps tell the tale of the boy genius Mozart

Remarkable young pianist joins Tania Miller

to tell the tale of the boy genius Mozart

Victoria, BC – At 8pm on May 6^th at the Marriott Hotel, Shanna Fong, a gifted and award winning young pianist, joins the Victoria Symphony’s Music Director Tania Miller for Miller, Mozart and Martinis a special addition to the 2008 Mozart Festival.

Tania Miller will be discussing the life of Mozart and the impact his music has had on her and the world of music during this intimate social evening. Miller will tell the story of Mozart’s life including his travels through Europe as a young soloist. To enhance the tale of the young genius Shanna Fong will perform one of Mozart’s most popular keyboard works, Sonata K330, which was composed between 1780 and 1784 in Munich or during Mozart’s early years in Vienna.

Maestra Miller will be sharing her love for Mozart’s music with attendees, as well as relaxing with a special ‘Mozart Martini’ and mingling with guests. She is looking forward to the event, “Mozart would be most amused to see us getting together to toast him with a few martinis! I’m looking forward to celebrating with fellow Mozart lovers and spending some time sharing my love for his music.”

There are a limited number of tickets left for this event. Tickets can be purchased for $50 by calling 385-6515.

Shanna Fong began piano lessons at the age of six with her current teacher, Mrs. Ingrid L. Henderson at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. Now only 13 years old Shanna has won numerous awards in the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival including the Junior Piano Concerto Cup in 2003, 2004 and 2005, and the Intermediate Concerto Cup in 2006. In addition, she was awarded the Intermediate Nathan Geminiano Cup for most distinguished piano performer and selected to represent Victoria in the B.C. Performing Arts Festival June 2006 receiving the

Runner-up award.

In July 2004 Shanna performed Mozart Piano Concerto No.8, K246, at the University of Victoria Piano Summer School concerto and chamber concert with string ensemble and again in 2007 performing the first movement of Mozart Piano Concerto No.13, K459. Recently, Shanna was invited to perform on stage in collaboration with world renowned violinist Moshe Hammer April 18^th at the Alix Goolden Performance Hall.

Celebrating the extraordinary genius of Mozart and his contemporaries, the third annual Mozart Festival brings the incredible pianists of the Parker family to Victoria and includes a host of other events to appeal to everyone with a special affinity for everything Mozart.

The Victoria Symphony is Vancouver Island’s largest and most active arts organization offering its audiences 67 years of tradition, a commitment to fostering new music and a dedication to community involvement through music education. Showcasing the outstanding talents of its musicians and guest artists the Victoria Symphony’s 2007-2008 season offers a diverse and exciting line-up of over 100 concerts led by its vibrant Music Director Tania Miller.

Single ticket prices:

Orchestral concerts $25 to $60

Chamber concerts $25

Miller, Mozart and Martinis $50

Movie In Search of Mozart $10

Festival passes are also available. All passes and tickets can be purchased through the Victoria Symphony box office 385-6515 or www.victoriasymphony.ca

Calendar of Events

Saturday, May 3, 8pm, Royal Theatre

Orchestral concert: Jon Kimura Parker, piano Tania Miller, conductor

Sunday, May 4, 1pm – SOLD OUT

Children’s concert: The Magic Flute, The Victoria Music Corner Ensemble

Sunday, May 4, 7:30pm Alix Goolden Hall

Chamber concert:: Colin Tilney and Friends

Tuesday, May 6, 8pm Marriott Hotel

Social event with Tania Miller, ‘Miller, Mozart and Martinis’

Wednesday, May 7 8pm

Film screening: In Search of Mozart, documentary, Marriott Hotel

Thursday, May 8, 8pm Royal Theatre

Orchestral concert: Ian Parker, piano Tania Miller, conductor

Saturday, May 10, 7:30pm Alix Goolden Hall

Chamber concert: Gryphon Trio

Sunday May 11, 2:30pm and Monday, May 12, 8pm Royal Theatre

Orchestral concert: Ian, James and Edward Parker, piano Tania Miller, conductor

For tickets and venue information contact 385-6515 or visit www.victoriasymphony.ca