Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra offering engaging cultural programme

Jan 10 2019, 2:55 am

The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra is starting 2019 in style.

The CPO is hosting a wide variety of powerful performances over the upcoming months, but even more exciting is the possibility of joining its Wolfgang Patron Programme.

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The programme offers the opportunity for young professionals to get involved in the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra’s thriving culture, socialize at events and themed concerts with like-minded attendees, and to learn more about the music being created by some of the city’s most talented musicians.

Stephanie Ridge, a five-year member of the programme, said in an interview with Daily Hive that, while amazing seats at five CPO shows a year are a definite highlight, one of her favourite things offered through the programme would be the afterparties.

“Our afterparties are always just a blast,” she said. “We’ve got a pretty large group, so it’s nice to see familiar faces every time, and I’ve met some people that I never would have otherwise met.”

Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra

Wolfgang patron programme (Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra)

Ridge has noted that many members of the orchestra are on the younger side themselves, so they will often come out for drinks alongside the Wolfgang Patron Programme.

“The Calgary Phil is actually a really young orchestra, so many of the musicians come out and join us, too,” she said.

“I’ve gotten to meet a lot of professional musicians in classical music, which you’d never get to do otherwise, and they make for some great friends.”

Ridge joined the programme in her mid-twenties and has since seen an influx of youth in the classical music scene in Calgary. She said the shift may be due in part to CPO consistently offering different and exciting musical experiences.

“I think what is particularly great about the CPO, and Wolfgang in particular, is that you get such a variety of performances,” she said.

In fact, the first Wolfgang event in 2019 will be a concert titled: Music of the Movies: Avengers, Frozen, Titanic, and more on Friday, January 18, where members of the program will be able to meet, greet, and converse over cocktails as well as hear some of their favourite movie soundtracks performed live.

Another way that CPO has expanded their offering is with the aptly named Rush Hour series, which features a shortened concert but includes a pre-show happy hour where those hoping to avoid rush hour traffic can stop by, enjoy a craft beer or cocktail, take in an hour-long performance, and then zip home on clear highways.

The first 2019 show in the series will be a Valentine’s Day event held on (you guessed it) February 14 under the title Rush Hour: Romance, while the second, Rush Hour: Brahms, will be held on March 7.

Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra

Composer Steve Hackman (Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra)

Both upcoming shows will be held at the Jack Singer Concert Hall, with Happy Hour at 5:30 pm and performances beginning at 6:30 pm.

During the Rush Hour concerts, the CPO will be hosting a curated Q&A over Twitter, which means that they’re actually encouraging people to leave their phones on during the performance so that they can follow along with the informative tweets and add to the communal discussion.

“I like the idea that there’s that curated information kind of coming at you while you’re listening to the concert,” Ridge said of the Rush Hour concerts.

“I’m really looking forward to going to one in the new year.”

Tickets for Rush Hour events can be found online and are being sold for just $30.

Those hoping to become part of the Wolfgang Patron programme can do so by signing up at the CPO’s website.

Upcoming CPO events

Music at the Movies Wolfgang Patron Programme event

When: Friday, January 18 and Saturday, January 19, 2019

Time: 7:30 pm

Where: Jack Singer Concert Hall — 225 8th Avenue SE, Calgary

Tickets: Available online, $50+, or membership with the Wolfgang Patron Programme

Rush Hour: Romance

When: Thursday, February 14, 2019

Time: Happy Hour at 5:30 pm, Performance from 6:30 to 7:30 pm

Where: Jack Singer Concert Hall — 225 8th Avenue SE, Calgary

Tickets: Available online, $30

Rush Hour: Brahms

When: Thursday, March 7, 2019

Time: Happy Hour at 5:30 pm, Performance from 6:30 to 7:30 pm

Where: Jack Singer Concert Hall — 225 8th Avenue SE, Calgary

Tickets: Available online, $30

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