UBC Reports | Vol. 49 | No. 6 | Jun. 5, 2003

UBC Alumni

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

June Goldsmith BA’56

Classical music concerts usually conjure up images of well-heeled audiences, furrow-browed intellectuals and black-tie formality. But June Goldsmith has succeeded in airing out this stuffy image and making classical music fun and accessible. Eighteen years ago she founded Music in the Morning, a non-profit organization that arranges and promotes classical music concerts at various venues in Vancouver including the Chan Centre. It thrives in a cash-strapped Arts scene by offering quality performances to daytime audiences.

What singles out the performances is the communication between artist and audience, and the casual, coffee-morning atmosphere. Before performing, the artists will offer their commentary on the piece, the composer, or their experiences as a musician -- giving their audience a refreshing perspective, and a new way to appreciate the music when it is performed. Another key to the program’s success is variety. Chamber music, ballet, opera -- all have been examined by a voracious and growing following.

Goldsmith introduces the concerts and has also presented on-stage conversations with the likes of Judith Forst and Karen Kain. This year saw the introduction of Rush Hour at the Vancouver Art Gallery: one-hour concerts for downtown workers to catch before heading home. Goldsmith hopes to tap a younger audience and, to this end, the organization also holds workshops at local schools.

Before founding Music in the Morning, Goldsmith taught music appreciation for UBC’s Continuing Studies. She holds an MA in Music from Stanford and was inducted into the B.C. Entertainment Hall of fame in 2000.