Music

Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me But Banjos Saved My Life, created by Keith Alessi, and directed by Edmontonian Erika Conway, tells the inspiring story of how a life-threatening cancer diagnosis led Keith to leave the corporate world and embrace his passion for the banjo. 

This heartfelt, humorous, and deeply moving hit celebrates resilience, music, and the power of following your dreams. What started as a personal mission has become a fundraising phenomenon, raising more than  $990,000 for cancer, music, and theatre charities around the world. Our goal is to help Keith hit $1 million dollars in charitable fundraising right here in Edmonton, during the run of this show at WWPT!  Five shows only - don't miss this limited-time event!

TICKETS: $25 (+GST) available at www.workshopwest.org

Showtimes:
February 19 - 730 pm
February 20 - 730 pm
February 21 - 730 pm
February 22 - 730 pm
Februrary 23 - 130 pm

Location: The Gateway Theatre (8529 Gateway Blvd, Edmonton AB)

Land’s End Ensemble and students of Mount Royal University’s Conservatory Program perform exciting works that push the boundaries of today’s performance practices and sonic experiences.

Featured works include Steve Reich’s classic work Clapping Music, Frank Ticheli’s minimalist-inspired In C Dorian, and Mary Kouyoumdjian’s Moerae inspired by the Greek mythology of the three fates. 

Experience two world premieres: A Species of Wonder, a new work for mixed ensemble by acclaimed JUNO Award-winning composer Allan Gordon Bell, and Dragonfly, an exhilarating trio by Michael van der Sloot. The program also features Four Paintings by Leestemaker, a richly textured piano sextet by Vincent Ho.

The concert will conclude with Louis Andriessen’s Workers Union. Written for “any loud-sounding group of instruments,” this politically charged work unites all performers on stage for an unforgettable conclusion.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m., with a pre-concert chat at 6:45 p.m.

The Calgary Philharmonic has been a pillar of Calgary’s vibrant arts scene since 1955 and in that time has grown to be one of Canada’s most celebrated live music ensembles. Led by Music Director Rune Bergmann, the Orchestra presents a wide range of concerts, inspiring education programs, and reaches audiences worldwide through free and accessible digital programming. In addition to 66 full-time orchestra musicians, the Calgary Phil is one of two major symphony orchestras in Canada that has its own chorus of over 120 volunteer singers. In a typical season, the Calgary Phil welcomes over 100,000 visitors, connecting audiences to live music experiences, and serves the city of Calgary by fostering creativity and belonging. Your Phil. Your Music.

The Role

We are looking for an experienced Orchestra Personnel Manager to join the Calgary Philharmonic’s Orchestra Operations team. This position oversees the planning and administration of all orchestra personnel for the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. You will report to the Director, Orchestra Operations, and work closely with all members of the Calgary Philharmonic’s administrative team and Orchestra musicians.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage all aspects of orchestra personnel, ensuring compliance with applicable employment laws, the Collective Bargaining Agreement (“CBA”), and organizational policies.
• Hire extra musicians for all required services in a timely manner.
• Create and distribute orchestra rosters for all Calgary Phil projects ensuring string rotation is compliant with the CBA.
• Coordinate all aspects of the Orchestra audition process.
• Coordinate all aspects of the tenure review process.
• Develop and manage the annual budget for personnel costs, including extra musicians’ costs, workload mitigation, step ups & doubling and overtime.
• Maintain all player personnel files and records.
• Process and submit player payroll to Finance and act as the liaison between musicians and the Finance department.
• Communicate rehearsal orders in accordance with the CBA
• Attend all meetings between the Orchestra Committee and the administration team.
• Human Resources Management – Serve as a primary contact for musicians (with assistance from HR contractor), handling daily HR functions such as employee relations, policy enforcement, and workplace concerns to foster a supportive and respectful organizational culture.
• Communicate with Music Director and guest conductors regarding all personnel and contractual issues.
• Communicate and advise on personnel and contractual issues with administrative team.
• Liaise with the musicians’ union to resolve contractual issues.
• Attend all Orchestra services.

Desired Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience working in an Orchestra Personnel Manager role for a performing arts organization
• A sincere interest in arts and culture
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail.
• Proactive, industrious, and capable of managing multiple projects within necessary timelines
• Demonstrated leadership abilities, strong communication skills, and capable of working collaboratively within a team
• Collaborative mindset and desire to contribute to culture change aligned with Calgary Phil’s strategic plan.

Additional Details

• Employment Type: Full-time
• Salary Range: $75,000 to $85,000 annually depending on experience.
• Schedule: This position will require evening and weekend work.
• Hybrid Work Policy: The Calgary Phil offers a hybrid remote work program. Employees who are eligible for this program can work up to three days/week from an appropriate remote location. This role is required to be on site for all Orchestra services, but other times are more flexible.
• Benefits: As part of our total compensation package, Calgary Phil offers 3 weeks’ paid vacation, a comprehensive benefits package that includes RRSP contributions, health coverage, an employee assistance program, bonus days off, and other non-cash benefits.
• Office Location: Arts Commons, Floor 2, 205 8 Avenue SE Calgary AB T2G 0K9

Application Process Deadline: 24 February 2025

This posting will remain open until the position is filled.

Please send cover letter, resume, portfolio, and salary expectations to:

Michael Thomson

Director, Orchestra Operations

HR@calgaryphil.com

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: The Calgary Phil is committed to fostering an anti-racist, equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment. We encourage qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply. If you require accommodations during the recruitment or interview process, please let us know so we can meet your needs.

We thank all applicants for their interest in the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

LATE HOURS: Western Canada Tour 2025

Date & Time: Wednesday, March 5, 2025 @ 7:00 - 8:30PM

Location: Garneau Theatre/Metro Cinema - 8712 109 Street, Edmonton

Tickets: $18-20 @ metrocinema.org/production/late-hours

An evening of live music and experimental film with Karl Hirzer (piano/synthesizer) and Josué Valdepeñas (cello), featuring the premiere of Braden Dereniwski’s music film, Crystal Clear, and Vicki Van Chau’s award-winning short film, In Tandem.

Prominent figures in the Canadian classical music scene, Karl Hirzer and Josué Valdepeñas perform standard works from the modern and classical repertoire in addition to original songs, mixing electronic and acoustic instruments. Drawing from a wide variety of influences, their music has been described as “heady and psychedelic” and “Satie meets Radiohead”.

Based on Hirzer and Valdepeñas’ track of the same name, Crystal Clear is an innovative and gripping music and dance film. It follows a young woman who undertakes a visceral journey through her own psyche as she reflects on both her actions and the events that will decide her fate. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Braden Dereniwski, it features captivating performances by Kelsie Vanstone and Ashley Mae Johnston, with choreography by Yukichi Hattori. We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and Calgary Arts Development for this film.

​​Featuring and inspired by Hirzer's track Daphne and Desmond, off his new album Relaxer Distractor, In Tandem is a short film shot on Super 8 by award-winning filmmaker Vicki Van Chau, and is a love letter to the meaningful spaces between two cities, where Hirzer found sources of inspiration, nostalgia and the feeling of home. It recently received the ‘Best Experimental’ award at the 2024 Edmonton Short Film Festival. This film is supported by the Alberta Media Arts Alliance Society and the Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers.

For more info, go to:  https://metrocinema.org/production/late-hours/

Da Camera Singers upcoming concert features Edmonton singer/songwriter sensation Mallory Chipman, who will join us to share her research and her beautiful music about Alberta’s endangered and at-risk birds. Mallory’s 2023 album, As though I had wings is a solo EP reflecting her love of nature, and specifically, bird calls. As described on her website: 

“Each of the four songs on As Though I Had Wings is based on sounds of birds native to Alberta, all of which are endangered or threatened, such as the burrowing owl, the black tern, the red-winged blackbird, and the peregrine falcon. Mallory says that the inspiration for the project struck one day when she heard a common birdcall and it suddenly reminded her of a film score buried deep in her memory. From there, she began tuning in more closely to birdcalls on her regular hikes, while thinking of how to transcribe them into playable music by establishing a key and making sense of their rhythm.​”

​As simply a songwriting experiment, the results are stunning, but on another level, Mallory’s approach perhaps opens up previously unexplored ways of thinking about melody—melodies that only birds can produce.

The concert program is shaped around Mallory’s music and presentation, from which we’ll learn about the origins of birdsong in music, her creative process, music as activism, interspecies kinship, and of course about many of Alberta’s at-risk birds. Our music will frame and complement each of these topics, and we are thrilled to combine musical forces, bringing the choir together with Mallory to perform some of her music as part of her band!

Bring along your birding journal for this feathery feast of fabulous folk and fine choral works from the Renaissance to today, including the premiere of a stunning new commission by BC composer Nicholas Ryan Kelly!

We are very excited to also announce our concert sponsor – Wild Birds Unlimited! www.mywbu.com/edmonton

Tickets: https://www.showpass.com/bird-sanctuary/