UBC Opera’s 2025/2026 season celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Old Auditorium, honouring the veterans and community who helped build the Point Grey campus. Join us for two special events to start the celebrations!
100 Years of the Old Auditorium
UBC Opera Ensemble
UBC Opera Alumni
Jonathan Girard conductor
Guest Speakers and Alumni of the UBC School of Music
Honorary Degree Holder Judith Forst
Dr. Hussein Janmohamed
October 14, 2025
7:00pm, Old Audtiorium
Our 100th Anniversary Celebration on October 14 will recognize the first official opening day of the Old Auditorium, complete with anniversary cake and refreshments! The “Old Aud” has served as a special place for students, alumni and members of the community and has, over the past 100 years, hosted artists and politicians such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Paul Robson, Dylan Thomas, and UBC Opera alumni such as Judith Forst and Ben Heppner. It has served as a training ground for generations of musicians and performers, and as a valued social space for student activity and assembly.
Join us for stories, music, laughter and excerpts from shows presented at the Old Auditorium from 1925 to 2025. You will hear from special guests such as Judith Forst, performers, production staff, directors, conductors, coaches and many who have called and still call the Old Auditorium their home. The UBC Opera Ensemble will also be joined on stage by many Alumni from our Opera Program. Welcoming them back to where it all began!
Honouring the Great Trek
‘The True North Strong and Free’ Recognition Event: The Veteran Trek to UBC Continues – Then, Now and Going Forward
UBC Opera Ensemble
Jonathan Girard conductor
October 15, 2025
7:00pm, Old Audtiorium
The UBC Opera Ensemble, Historians of UBC and Members of the Veterans Transition Program present an evening of music, stories and film from 1925 to 2025.
On this second night of celebration, we honour some of UBC’s earliest and most influential students—the 197 World War I soldiers and veterans who enrolled at the university. These pioneers formed the Returned Soldiers’ Club and, alongside alumni, faculty, the Senate, Board of Governors, and President Klinck, successfully appealed to the Dominion Government for financial aid so veterans could pursue their education. By 1944–45, UBC had 3,058 students, including 150 ex-service personnel. One year later, enrollment nearly doubled, with 2,254 veterans among 5,621 students. Twenty-five years ago, Dr. Marv Westwood founded the Veterans Transition Program at UBC’s Faculty of Education, a groundbreaking initiative that has since transformed thousands of lives—not only in British Columbia and Canada, but also in the United States, England, and Germany.
We pay tribute to all veterans—past and present—whose courage and resilience helped shape UBC and our society. We honour the Armed Forces who continue to protect us at home and abroad, and we applaud those who make the Veterans Transition Program possible, enabling veterans to return to meaningful and productive civilian lives.
Reception to follow.
Bundle deal
Tickets to each event range from $20–$35 ea. Join us for one event or bundle both events to save $10!
Photo by Stuart Thomson (1925) / UBC Archives [UBC 1.1/1436]
Photo by Dominic Schaefer Photography (2007)
Photo by Brian Hawkes (2010)
