Baroque Strings of Vancouver

Baroque Strings of Vancouver

The Baroque Strings of Vancouver. Founded in 1966. The ensemble made its debut at the opening of the JMC (YMC) national string competition in June 1967 and performed with the harpsichordist George Malcolm at the 1967 Vancouver International Festival. Besides broadcasting frequently, it presented series of concerts at the Vancouver Art Gallery and the Vancouver Academy of Music and performed throughout British Columbia. The ensemble gave few performances after 1980, and in 1988, when it disbanded officially, its harpsichord and other assets were given to the Vancouver Academy, where a scholarship was established in its name. Leaders and first violinists of the 14-member ensemble were Norman Nelson (1966-72, 1976), Vaclav Benkovic (1972-6), and Gwen Thompson (1977 on).