Dear friends,

It is my pleasure to invite you to explore our 2022/2023 Season and join us in the concert hall for an experience unlike any other. Music brings light and colour to the world — it is the soundtrack of our lives. Whether it’s joy or sorrow, passion or adventure, when you come to a live orchestra performance, the music will take you on a journey as you see the musicians performing onstage and feel the reactions of everyone around you. This is what drives us to play music of all kinds for all people — and you are part of making that magic happen.

This Season you can choose from brilliant guest artists, classical giants, new discoveries, pop favourites, family fun, and much more. We open with one of the most uplifting pieces of all time, Beethoven’s ninth symphony. Known as Ode to Joy, this work brings our Orchestra and Chorus together in a performance that will bring you to your feet. We are lucky to have such an incredible Chorus made up of local volunteers, and we will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2023 with a special concert in April.

It’s hard to imagine movies without music. The score is what brings a film to life, and starting from childhood, that music is woven through our lives. This Season, you will hear the Orchestra play live while family favourites like Frozen, Home Alone, Harry Potter, and Black Panther are shown on the big screen. You will also enjoy an evening of works by the great Italian composer Ennio Morricone, whose film soundtracks are legendary.

Once again, you have a chance to see some of the world’s top musicians perform with your Orchestra. One of the must-see concerts of the Season features superstar saxophonist Branford Marsalis. This concert is made possible by the extraordinary generosity of Heather Edwards. You can also look forward to performances with drag queen extraordinaire Tynomi Banks, violin virtuoso Karen Gomyo, singer LaKisha Jones of American Idol fame, acclaimed pianists Charles Richard-Hamelin and Katherine Chi, and two of Alberta’s fastest rising stars Celeigh Cardinal and Shawnee Kish, among others. We welcome back to the stage acclaimed guest conductors, including Music Director Laureate Roberto Minczuk and Mei-Ann Chen.

Of course, there are many more experiences to be discovered this Season. Light up your life and join us on the journey.

Rune Bergmann,
Music Director