The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra has announced a new free community concert series that will bring live orchestral music to 24 neighbourhoods across the city that have historically had limited access to performing arts programming.
The "Music for All" initiative, launching in October, will see small ensembles of CPO musicians perform at community centres, school gymnasiums, public libraries, and seniors’ residences in communities including Forest Lawn, Marlborough, Falconridge, Penbrooke Meadows, and Dover.
Breaking Down Barriers
"There’s a perception that orchestral music is only for certain people in certain places, and we want to shatter that," said CPO music director Rune Bergmann. "Great music belongs to everyone, and we’re going to prove that by showing up in communities where we’ve never performed before."
The program is funded through a combination of Canada Council for the Arts grants, corporate sponsorship from Calgary-based energy company Enbridge, and a portion of the CPO’s annual fundraising campaign. Each concert will be approximately 60 minutes and will include audience interaction and opportunities for children to try instruments.
Community Partnerships
The CPO developed the series in partnership with the Calgary Public Library, Calgary Housing Company, and several immigrant-serving organizations. Programming will include works by Canadian and Indigenous composers alongside classical repertoire.
"When we talked to community leaders about what they wanted, the answer was clear: don’t just play for us, play with us," said CPO executive director Marc Stevens. "Every concert will include a participatory element — clapping rhythms, sing-alongs, instrument demonstrations."
The initiative aligns with Calgary’s Cultural Plan, which identifies equitable access to arts experiences as a priority. City officials have praised the CPO’s approach as a model for other cultural organizations.