Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Opens Its Student Discount Program for the 07-08 Academic Year

Today, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra's student Access Pass program is open for registration again. Students at any school can sign up for the free Access Pass program, which gives card-holders steep discounts on any of the orchestra's events. Individuals with an Access Pass card can purchase Vancouver Symphony Orchestra tickets for only $10 and will receive the best open seating in the house (A-section or better) for the evening. In other words, a university student can get a $499 seat in Beethoven's No. 9 for only $10. That's 99% off the regular price of a symphony ticket, an obviously incredible deal.

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is British Columbia's 90-year-old organization who says that its out to "enhance the quality of life in our city...by presenting high-quality performances of classical and popular music." According to their website, they host approximately 150 concerts per season that entertain over 200,000 people yearly, 50,000 of which are students. Most of these concerts are eligible for the Access Pass discount.

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra performs in several venues around Canada. My favorite location is the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Vancouver, a beautiful building that does justice to the equally stunning acoustics of the symphony. The orchestra also meats in the Michael J. Fox Theatre, South Delta Baptist Church, St. Andrews Wesley Church, Deer Lake Park, West Chan Centre for the Performing Arts (at the University of British Columbia), Bell Centre for the Performing Arts, Roundhouse Community Centre, Centennial Theatre, Arts Centre Theatre, Terry Fox Theatre, Stanley Park and the Kay Meek Centre. For those unable to make it to a physical performance, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra also hosts eighteen radio programs.

To sign-up for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra's Access Pass student program, visit the following address: http://www.vancouversymphony.ca/edu_vsoaccesspass_form.php

You will need your student ID number from your school (unless you are in elementary or secondary school, for which only proof of age is required). The orchestra will verify that you are indeed a student by checking with your school's registrar before mailing you your Access Pass card.

Students with an Access Pass card can also purchase tickets for non-students and receive half off of the regular orchestra ticket price.

Fill out the Access Pass form and wait about a week to receive your Access Pass package via the postal service. If you are unable to fill out the form online, you can also call the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra's Customer Service at (604) 876 - 3434 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on any weekday.

It's very important that you do not lose your Access Pass card. After purchasing your tickets online or via telephone, you will pickup your tickets at the orchestra's venue and must present your Access Pass card to receive them.