Last season, we were charmed to report that Toronto’s Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra had an asteroid named in its honour.  We’re equally delighted to report that Tafelmusik will now have some company in outer space:  at its concerts this weekend, the Victoria Symphony will be presented with a certificate confirming that it’s got its own asteroid, dubbed VicSympho, named in recognition for the Victoria Symphony’s strong contributions towards music and science education during the International Year of Astronomy.
 
According to Jim Hesser, Director of the National Research Council’s Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, Victoria, and Chair of the IYA Canada Committee, “This international honour reflects the gratitude of the astronomical community for the Orchestra’s early and inspirational commitment to marrying the arts and sciences to help children appreciate the majesty of music and of the skies during the International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009).”  
 
This weekend’s performances of Gustav Holst‘s The Planets (complete with simultaneous projection of Dr. José Francisco Salgado’s video suite) are just one of the may ways the Victoria Symphony has supported and contributed to music and science education throughout IYA2009.  From performing Holst’s dramatic masterpiece, to hosting the COU‘s telescopes at the Bayview Residences Victoria Symphony Splash, to creating an educational concert, Music of the Spheres, the Victoria Symphony made strong efforts to bridge music and science for children and families for Canadian communities.
 
For more information about the Victoria Symphony, you can visit their website here.