Tom Jackson is on a mission to create health. The much-loved Canadian singer-songwriter, humanitarian, and activist has given a lot of thought to what that means, and how to include as many people as possible within that circle of well-being.
All in Calgary Philharmonic
Collaboration with Making Treaty 7 tells traditional Blackfoot story through music and drama
A new online production combining drama and music is bringing a traditional Blackfoot story to life. Napi and the Rock, a collaboration between Making Treaty 7 Cultural Society and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, celebrates local Indigenous culture through an engaging musical performance for families. The concert was pre-recorded in the Jack Singer Concert Hall and will be available to the public for free at calgaryphil.com starting Saturday, November 20.
The Family Behind Season of Gratitude
Long-time patrons of Arts Commons, as well as avid supporters of the arts, Rodney and Karen McCann along with their family, wanted to find a meaningful way to give back to our essential workers who have given so much to get us safely through the pandemic. The idea that they came up with, in collaboration with Arts Commons, is the Season of Gratitude program which aims to bring essential workers to productions by the Resident Companies of Arts Commons.
Calgary Philharmonic Welcomes New President + CEO - Meet Marc Stevens
When the Calgary Philharmonic performs for a live audience for the first time in a year and a half, it will signify a new beginning in more ways than one. Marc Stevens officially joins the organization as President + CEO in September 2021, following the retirement of Paul Dornian, and is just as eager and excited as the musicians to see the Orchestra back onstage this month and to get Fall 2021 Concerts off and running.
Calgary Phil’s City Spaces series returns with new performances at local landmarks
The Calgary Philharmonic’s popular City Spaces series is back with three new virtual concerts recorded at three different local landmarks. Following the success of the first three concerts at The BOW, Contemporary Calgary, and the Fairmont Palliser, the next two concerts travel beyond the downtown to two of the city’s favourite destinations — one that celebrates advancements in science and technology, and one that explores the history of the Canadian West — before wrapping up the 2020-21 Season at home.
Behind the Scenes of Calgary Phil's Virtual Concert Series
Not long after COVID-19 shut down live performances last spring, it became clear the Calgary Philharmonic would not be able to present its 2020/2021 Season to live audiences as planned. The focus quickly shifted to creating the quality musical experiences people from our community and beyond were seeking online. Fortunately, due to the live-stream initiative launched by the Orchestra in 2017, all the people and pieces needed to record virtual concerts were already in place — and the musicians were eager to start playing again.
Jack Singer Concert Hall Receives Upgrades, Replacements, and the Full Spa Treatment
As the doors of Arts Commons have been closed, the beloved Jack Singer Concert Hall has received more than its fair share of attention.
“When a pandemic shuts down a performing arts centre, does that mean that the staff has nothing to do?” asks Brian Beaulieu, Production Manager for the Jack Singer Concert Hall. “The answer is not at all. We’ve used that time to undo over 30 years of wear and tear on the Jack Singer Concert Hall. You won’t recognize it when we open the doors again.”
The Music Goes On
Sixty-six members strong, employing musicians from all over Canada and the world, Calgary Philharmonic has filled the Jack Singer Concert Hall with powerful music for over 37 years and been a member of Calgary’s vibrant arts community for 65 years. Like all performing arts organizations in Calgary, they were forced to close their doors when the pandemic hit, but these past couple months they’ve been anything but idle. With the start of the 2020-21 season, they’re announcing a new fall series of free online concerts.