Calgary Civic Symphony
Founded in 1976, the Calgary Civic Symphony has been a proud part of Calgary’s arts and culture community for nearly 50 years!
Conducted by Music Director Rolf Bertsch, the Civic presents an annual five-concert season that showcases a wide range of musical styles and repertoire. Audiences can expect a thoughtfully curated mix of beloved classical masterworks, contemporary pieces, popular film scores, holiday favourites, and hidden gems from the orchestral repertoire.
In addition to the concert season, the Civic is actively involved in the broader Calgary arts community. Performances regularly collaborate with soloists and performing arts groups from Calgary and across the province, including The Heebee-Jeebies, Anna Pompeeva, Barbara King, Beth Root Sandvoss, Benjamin Butterfield, Chellan Hoffman, Jeremy Brown, Kathleen Morrison, Lauren Woods, Penny Sanborn, Stephania Romaniuk, Calgary Concert Opera, Spiritus Chamber Choir, Mount Royal Kantorei, and many more!
The orchestra also fosters the next generation of musicians through the Rotary Calgary Concerto Competition (RC3), which gives outstanding young artists the rare opportunity to perform as soloists with a full orchestra at Civic’s annual Rising Stars season finale. This initiative not only supports emerging talent, but also introduces new audiences to the power and potential of classical music.
| What sets the Calgary Civic Symphony apart is its people. The orchestra is made up of dedicated musicians who are not only skilled artists, but also everyday Calgarians—friends, neighbours, colleagues—drawn together by a shared passion for music. Among them are professional performers, music educators, therapists, luthiers, doctors, and scientists, all contributing their time and talent to create memorable musical experiences. While our orchestra represents a diverse crowd of Calgarians from many walks of life, we are united in our love of music, passion, and commitment to performing exceptional music for their communities. | “Amateur” Noun a person who takes part in an activity for pleasure, not as a job - - borrowed from French, "one who loves," from the Latin amāre, ‘to love’. |
The Civic is committed to providing mentorship and growth opportunities for musicians at all stages of their musical journey - and also providing accessible and affordable opportunities for our community to enjoy the music they create!
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