Vetta Chamber Music’s 2026-27 season blends tradition with a focus on the future
In his first season as the ensemble’s artistic director, violist Hung-Wei Huang is bringing back a few familiar faces and tapping into the creativity of kids from local schools
(Left to right) Joan Blackman, Jane Coop, Hung-Wei Huang
VETTA CHAMBER MUSIC’s 2026–27 season, its 41st, honours the ensemble’s past while looking toward the future.
In the season opener (September 25 to 28), Vetta’s incoming artistic director, violist Hung-Wei Huang, welcomes some familiar faces to the stage. In the concert, aptly titled Legacy, pianist Jane Coop and violinist Joan Blackman—Vetta’s artistic director for 19 years—join Huang to perform two of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s duos for violin and viola, plus sonatas by Leoš Janáček and Paul Hindemith.
Vetta closes the year with another appropriately titled concert, Lineage (November 13 to 16), headed up by violist Jacob van der Sloot. This one’s a family affair, with Jacob joined by his siblings Grace, Sophie, and Paul van der Sloot (on viola and cellos respectively) along with his cousin, Maria van der Sloot, and his sister-in-law, Sarah Douglass (Paul’s wife), both on violin. Together, the fam plays string sextets by Antonin Dvořák and Johannes Brahms.
Huang kicks off 2027 with his first recital as Vetta’s artistic director. Accompanied by pianist Bogdan Dulu, the violist plays pieces by Robert C. Rival, Rebecca Clark, and Brahms in a program titled Responsibility, which takes place January 22 to 25.
Privilege (March 5 to 8) showcases the expressive range of the oboe, with VSO principal oboist Joo Bin Yi joining Huang and violinist Rebecca Ruthven and cellist Cristian Márkos, to perform works by Georg Druschetzky, Astor Piazzolla, Malcolm Arnold, Benjamin Britten, and Mozart.
Season finale Value (April 30 to May 3) explores the relationship between music and visual art, pairing works inspired by celebrated paintings with artwork created by local students in response to music. The student paintings will be displayed during the performances, which feature violinists Blackman and Jenny Lim, violists Huang and Peter Ing, cellists Joseph Elworthy and Zoltan Rozsnyai, and pianist Raphael Cheng.
All concerts take place at West Point Grey United Church, West Vancouver United Church, Pyatt Hall, and ArtSpring (on Salt Spring Island). For tickets and info, visit the Vetta Chamber Music website. ![]()
John Lucas has covered music and the arts for longer than he cares to think about. He can also be found playing his guitar in dodgy rehearsal spaces and low-rent venues in and around Vancouver.
Related Articles
In his first season as the ensemble’s artistic director, violist Hung-Wei Huang is bringing back a few familiar faces and tapping into the creativity of kids from local schools
The eclectic program mixes masterpieces by Renaissance composer John Dowland and Joni MItchell at Early Music Vancouver’s Summer Festival
The series includes appearances by Canadian and international artists, including throat-singing duo Silla, composer Kelly Moran, and experimental rock act Xiu Xiu
Tackling the title role in Monteverdi’s Orfeo as part of EMV’s Summer Festival requires a different approach, the French singer says—and a willingness to push beyond beautiful singing
As part of VIFF Live, Juno-nominated artist will perform a set of classic Burt Bacharach material before a screening of Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
Brass-band fusion, soul-stirring singer-songwriters, fiery fiddle, and more spread across the fest’s five stages on the scenic shores of the Fraser River
Stellar sets from Aysanabee, Hazlett, and Sahra Halgan got the 49th annual fest off to a great start, and the weather certainly didn’t hurt
Conducted by Jacques Lacombe, free outdoor concert goes Italian with a team of strong soloists
Performing at the Eastside Arts Festival, the indie-rock band says it has no intention of being pegged as strictly a ’90s throwback
The American singer-songwriter plays rock ’n’ roll, blues, folk, gospel, and country, along with well-chosen cover versions of songs by Nick Cave, Gillian Welch, and Duran Duran
The Ukrainian-born performer distills influences from Slavic folk to jazz and R&B into her music, as heard on her solo debut, Kyiv Soul
The Vancouver Folk Music Festival performer also tells us about his kick-ass band and the pressure he has put on himself as an award-winning recording artist
Intellectual-property disputes behind it, the project formerly known as Computer plays the Burrard Stage at this year’s Khatsahlano Street Party
For Tarun Nayar’s performance at VanDusen Botanical Garden, the festival invites attendees to settle in picnic-style and get into a meditative headspace
The Indian Summer Festival performer, who has collaborated with Major Lazer and contributed to Bollywood soundtracks, has forged some creative links to Canada’s West Coast
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra moves its wildly popular, free outdoor concert to David Lam Park this year
Hawksley Workman, plus mesmerizing cultural melds from El Balcón, Benin International Musical, and more
Headlining the Khatsahlano Street Party’s Burrard Stage, the fast-rising band is unafraid to spice up its surf-inspired indie rock with country, funk, and Latin elements
From Cloverdale to West Vancouver and all points in between, festivities span live music, drumming, kids’ activities, and no shortage of national pride
Violinist and guest director Rachel Podger performs alongside the Pacific Baroque Orchestra
Indie-rockers Uncle Strut, post-punk stars Concrete Vehicles, and soul powerhouse Leo D.E Johnson are among the talents hitting the Burrard Stage
