Join us in the Roedde House for a Concert in the Parlour – an intimate concert experience in our concert series collaboration with the Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra!

This April we will be featuring Farshid Samandari and Sina Ettehad who will perform a selection of their original repertoire, as well as folk songs. The performance will include improvised connecting sections and mood painting, adding depth and texture to the music.

Tea and Cookies will be served at the end of the concert.

Ticket holders should arrive no later than 10 minutes before showtime to secure seats.
Seating is limited.

Artist Bios:

Farshid Samandari was born in Iran in 1971 into a Bahà’i family. This meant that he was not allowed to pursue academic studies in a university, was not allowed to leave the country as other citizens, and in general was deprived of basic human rights. He witnessed the imprisonment, tribulation, and martyrdom of many friends and scholars. It took him about nine years to legally obtain a passport to leave his homeland. Notwithstanding these conditions he pursued his music studies, eventually teaching, and founding a choir. In April 2001 he arrived in Canada where he continued his studies in composition and electroacoustics at UBC. His music reflects his interest in contemporary classical vocabulary, spectral analysis, and extended techniques. In addition his profound faith in unity and diversity has stirred him to utilize elements from a variety of non-western musical traditions, and integrate different cultural music and vocabularies in his compositions. This vision has directed him to collaborate with a variety of choirs and ensembles including Tehran National Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra, and many others. His Apogee for the flute received an award from Vancouver New Music 06; other half, an aria from his upcoming chamber opera SunarcanuS, was awarded CUMS09 best composition; and coming home, a trio for flute, double bass and percussion, won CUMS/CLC11.

Sina Ettehad began his musical journey at the age of 12, learning violin and music theory under the guidance of Master Atabaki. Four years later, he delved into the ancient Iranian fiddle, the Kamancheh, studying with Master Ardeshir Kamkar.
After moving to Canada, Sina continued his musical education at Vancouver Community College (VCC). As a core member of the Gomaan Ensemble, Sina is actively involved in several musical groups, including the Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra, Kereshmeh Ensemble, and Zaryab Ensemble, which fuse Persian and Flamenco styles. He also plays in the Wind Band, known for its blend of Jazz and Middle Eastern music. Over the past eight years, Sina has composed and performed for various film and theatre productions. A significant milestone in his career came in 2010, when he and the Kereshmeh Ensemble performed with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra—marking the first collaboration of a Persian ensemble with the VSO. This concert featured the renowned Iranian singer Ali Reza Ghorbani and received outstanding reviews. Shortly thereafter, Sina and the Kereshmeh Ensemble toured Canada, concluding with two live recording sessions for CBC. In recent years, Sina has initiated a fusion music series called “Fusik.” He is also passionate about teaching and currently offers lessons at his private studio in North Vancouver.

About VICO:

Since repertoire for the VICO’s unusual and diverse instrumentation does not already exist, creating new work is an integral component of all our programming. Developing new commissions (over 50 new Canadian works since 2001, and counting!) provides a necessary framework for bringing musicians and composers together to learn from each other, in a uniquely collaborative process. Since its inaugural performance in 2001, the VICO has developed and performed over 50 new intercultural pieces by ground-breaking Canadian composers.
For more info: http://vi-co.org

Parking:

Limited street parking is available on Robson and in the West End. Parking spots are scarce in the neighbourhood, so give yourself some extra time or use public transportation. (Closest Skytrain station: Burrard. We are on the #5 Robson bus route).

Purchase Tickets Here