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.
Stevens has more than 20 years of experience in the international classical music world and spent the last seven at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. He is a champion of gender parity, inclusion, and anti-racism throughout arts organizations and sees the Calgary Phil playing a crucial role in healing existing wounds, forming new bonds, and celebrating the diverse music available to us.
Originally from the U.K., Stevens became a Canadian citizen in 2019 and, along with his wife Claire, a collaborative pianist, is already a fan of Calgary from visits to see friends, enjoy the mountains, and hear the Calgary Philharmonic. Since his appointment was announced in July, he has been busy searching for a place to live, meeting members and supporters of the Orchestra and others in the community, and preparing for his new role.
As Stevens gets to know more about the city and its residents, we want to give everyone a chance to get to know him a little better as well. We asked him to answer the following seven questions, followed by a rapid-fire round with one-word (mostly) answers:
What are you most excited about doing in your new role at the Calgary Phil?
Getting to know everyone who's supported the Calgary Phil through the past 18 months, and hearing this amazing group of musicians playing live, in person again.
What are the first three things you look for in a new city/neighbourhood?
1. Great neighbours.
2. Local shops and markets.
3. Cycle paths.
What inspires you?
Other people — family, friends, colleagues, famous folk. My Nana was my hero because she always kept an open mind and was constantly learning. She asked for (and got) an iPad for her 90th birthday.
What is your favourite piece of music/composer?
That's too hard, we have such a wealth to choose from! And we're finding more great music all the time, especially now we're rediscovering female composers and composers from historically excluded communities.
Right now I'm looking forward to each of the Calgary Phil programs this season, from an established masterpiece like Beethoven's Eroica symphony, to exploring a new piece for the first time with Cris Derksen and Sonny-Ray Day Rider's Napi and the Rock. We are so fortunate to have live music.
Tell us something you've learned about Calgary that surprises you.
I just heard that Calgary is Canada's sunniest city. This is good news, and I'll need to invest in a good pair of shades.
How do you like to spend your downtime?
I love being connected with friends and family; reading, thinking and discussing; keeping fit with kettlebells; and skating (poorly). I don't expect to have much downtime for a while in Calgary, but eventually I'd like to start downhill skiing and get on horseback again.
How would your friends describe you?
I think my friends would say that I'm kind and that I care passionately about them. One called me last year prompted by a message on social media that said "Introverts — check your extrovert friends! They need you at the moment." (He was right.) So, they'd say I was extroverted. And they've often observed that I have a lot of energy!
Rapid-fire round — choose one of the following options:
Dogs or cats: Horses
Indoors or outdoors: Outdoors (when I’m not in the concert hall!)
Books or movies: Books
Hike or bike: Hike
Ski or snowboard: Ski
Wine or beer: Room temperature ale please
Ice cream or doughnuts: That's tough! Doughnuts. No, ice cream. Hmmm. Can I have an apple?
