THE MISSION

At the Vancouver Pops, our goal is to provide a fun, progressive, and uplifting music-making environment for all members of the recreational music community. VPOPS hosts ensemble programs for beginners, intermediates and advanced level participants. Ultimately, we aim to produce enriching, inspiring, and entertaining performances for our members and our audiences.

HISTORY

The idea was first conceived back in 2008 around a small class of theory students. As an experimental project, Tom had a few of his students prepare an arrangement of a Christmas tune to be performed at the year-end recital. The song chosen for the assignment was "All I Want for Christmas is You". The success of this endeavour sparked excitement from both students and parents, who asked for more group performances instead of solo repertoire. Taking his students requests to heart, Tom then arranged 4 more pieces including "Close Every Door to Me", "Time to Say Goodbye", and "You Raise Me Up" for the next concert. Parents and students loved the pizzazz and flare that the ensembles added to traditional solo recitals. Students also enjoyed being able to play with others. It was then suggested by parents and students that more rehearsals and a larger orchestral ensemble be featured for the next recital. 

It became quickly apparent that both students and audiences enjoyed the group ensemble and "popular" repertoire a great deal. By the start of the next school year in 2009, rehearsals were scheduled on a weekly basis. Popular music was programmed, and more musicians were recruited. Instead of limiting the participants to just students, it was then opened up to anyone in the community and that's where we took on our first name, the "Vancouver Orchestra Club". Our debut performance was held on June 20, 2010, where we featured our first orchestral pop concert performing titles like "Phantom of the Opera" and "Pirates of the Caribbean".

Over the years we have gone full circle, touching all genres of music, from Disney's "Aladdin", the 2011 Grammy Award Winning "Baba Yetu", Broadway's "Fiddler on the Roof" to classical masterpieces like "William Tell Overture", and Dvorak's "New World" Symphony.

The Vancouver Pops is a special place where musical ideas can be expressed and valued, where members can enjoy a carefree environment to make music and develop their skill. It is a place where we can put aside our cultural differences and come together for the joy of making music together. Through all the rehearsals, classes, and performances, you will meet many people and make numerous friends and heart-warming memories along the way. 

Over the years, the organization has gone through a couple name changes as it found its direction and speciality in the community, from Vancouver Orchestra Club in 2008, to Vancouver International Performing Arts Society in 2012, and finally, Vancouver Pops Performing Arts Society in 2015. Today, 2024, we continue to grow and welcome new members with 3 levels of orchestra and instrumental training, and 4 levels of vocal and choir ensembles.

NON PROFIT CHARITY

The Vancouver Pops Performing Arts Society is a registered non-profit charity organization serving the musical and educational needs of youth and adults in our community. It provides outlets for musicians of all ages through classes, rehearsals, coaching and performing opportunities with concerts each year.

The Vancouver Pops is not a professional or for-profit organization. We operate financially on the revenue from membership, concert revenue, government funding, and donor contributions. We have a board of directors who govern our operations, and a team of staff members and large community of volunteers who help execute our mission. The Vancouver Pops is member driven, and fundamentally member directed.

TOM KUO, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Tom Kuo is a violinist, violist, instructor of music, and conductor from Vancouver, BC. Born to a Taiwanese family which moved to Canada in 1989. Tom graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Music in 2008. His passionate and varied interest in teaching, performing, and conducting eventually led him to found the Vancouver Orchestra Club in 2010 (which was officially renamed Vancouver Pops in 2015) as a sanctuary for the Metro's burgeoning population of musicians seeking opportunities to rehearse and perform popular and refreshing repertoires. Now in his 13th year as Artistic Director of the Vancouver Pops, Tom continues to seek out unique and engaging music and venues for musicians young and old to perform and experience.

Tom enjoys being physically active through tennis, volleyball, and ultimate frisbee, spending time outdoors hiking and explore scenic vistas. In his spare time, he dabbles in home cooking, woodworking and DIY home improvement projects. Grateful for the amazing success and support the organization has received, Tom makes sure that new and returning members are welcomed to the VPOPS with warmth and enthusiasm.