The Vancouver Contemporary Orchestra (VCO) is a classical music ensemble based in Vancouver, Canada. Founded in 1977 by conductor and composer Owen Underhill, the VCO has become one of the most respected and innovative contemporary music ensembles in Canada. Underhill, who served as the VCO's artistic director until 2018, was inspired to create the ensemble after attending a concert by the New Music Ensemble at the University of British Columbia. He saw a need for a professional ensemble that could perform contemporary music with the same level of skill and dedication as traditional classical music. The VCO's early years were marked by a series of groundbreaking performances that showcased the ensemble's commitment to contemporary music. In 1978, the VCO performed the Canadian premiere of György Ligeti's "Chamber Concerto," a complex and challenging work that had never been performed in Canada before. The ensemble also premiered works by Canadian composers such as Murray Adaskin, Jean Coulthard, and Michael Conway Baker. Over the years, the VCO has attracted some of the most talented musicians in Canada, many of whom have gone on to successful careers as soloists and chamber musicians. Some of the ensemble's most notable members have included violinist Marc Destrubé, cellist Peggy Lee, and pianist Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa. One of the VCO's most significant achievements was the creation of the Sonic Boom Festival, an annual event that showcases the work of emerging composers and performers. The festival, which began in 1989, has become a vital part of Vancouver's contemporary music scene and has helped to launch the careers of many young musicians. The VCO has also collaborated with some of the world's most renowned composers and performers. In 1990, the ensemble performed with composer John Cage, who conducted his own work "Fourteen." The VCO has also worked with composers such as Steve Reich, John Zorn, and Kaija Saariaho. In addition to its performances, the VCO has also been recognized for its recordings. The ensemble's 1995 recording of works by Canadian composer Claude Vivier was nominated for a Juno Award, Canada's top music award. The VCO has also released recordings of works by other Canadian composers, including R. Murray Schafer and Rodney Sharman. In recent years, the VCO has continued to push the boundaries of contemporary music. In 2016, the ensemble premiered "The Mute Canary," a multimedia work by composer and visual artist Nicole Lizée that combined live performance with video and electronic music. The work was hailed as a "tour de force" by critics and showcased the VCO's ability to embrace new technologies and artistic forms. Today, the VCO continues to be a vital part of Vancouver's cultural landscape. The ensemble's commitment to contemporary music and its dedication to nurturing young talent have made it a beacon of creativity and innovation in the Canadian music scene.

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