The David Foster Foundation’s 40th anniversary concert is moving forward with a change to the evening’s musical lineup. The foundation announced Wednesday that the Victoria Symphony will not be accompanying David Foster and Friends at the free Aug. 8 celebration at Victoria’s Inner Harbour. The two organizations had explored the possibility of collaborating on the large-scale community event, but the Victoria Symphony said the plans could not proceed within the requirements of its collective agreement with its musicians. “We sincerely appreciate the conversations we had and wish the David Foster Foundation every success with what promises to be an extremely exciting event,” Victoria Symphony director of marketing and communications Maya Lohcham said in a statement. The foundation says the concert will continue to feature more than 10 internationally acclaimed performers, including Grammy winners and some of the biggest names in music. The lineup announced so far includes David Foster, Josh Groban, Katharine McPhee, The Tenors, CeeLo Green, Loren Allred, Pia Toscano, Daniel Emmet and Sheléa. Celebrity hosts Melissa Peterman and Erich Bergen are also set to take part, with additional announcements expected ahead of the event. While the concert will bring world-class entertainment to Victoria’s waterfront, the evening is ultimately about the families at the heart of the David Foster Foundation’s mission. For 40 years, the foundation has provided financial support to families of children undergoing major organ transplants, helping cover essential non-medical expenses such as travel, housing, groceries and utilities during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. The foundation has supported more than 1,600 families since it was created, helping ease the financial burden for parents as they focus on their child’s health and recovery. For Foster, the anniversary celebration is also an opportunity to thank the community that has supported the foundation since its beginnings in Victoria. “This concert is about bringing people together through music, and we can’t wait to share an incredible evening with the people of Victoria,” Foster said in a statement. The free David Foster Foundation 40th anniversary concert begins at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 8 at Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Organizers say more event details and announcements will be released in the coming weeks.
