Vision

A vibrant cultural community nourished by Early Music.

 

Mission

To foster a passion for Early Music through outstanding performances and educational experiences.

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Reviews

Click here to read some reviews from past concerts.

 

History

When Julie Harris returned to Calgary in 1999 from living in Toronto and The Netherlands, she brought with her a desire to start a concert series dedicated to early music.  In the first year, she presented three Sunday afternoon concerts (each 1 hour long).  From that small start the Early Music Voices Concert Series has developed into a well-known venue for early music in Canada.  Today the series fields requests from agents and artists around the world. Over the years EMV has hosted ensembles from France, Norway, the UK and the US, Montreal, and in the 20th Anniversary season countertenor, Andreas Scholl from Germany.  Touring performers look for venues when planning tours through the US and Canada, and Early Music Voices is happy to be able to invite them to Calgary.

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Early Music Voices has also organised and presented many concerts of local and regional musicians over the last two decades. Some of these have been co-productions, such as Purcell’s Ode on St. Cecilia’s Day with Red Deer Symphony Orchestra or Bach’s Mass in B Minor with the CPO.  As time passed, EMV began presenting large projects alone, often in exciting collaborations with Rosa Barocca and VoiceScapes (Bach’s Magnificat in 2018 and Handel’s Messiah between 2019 & 2022). Going forward, EMV continues to play an important part in the early music scene, and proudly creating many professional musical opportunities for Calgary singers and players.

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Artistic Director

Soprano Julie Harris holds an Artist Diploma from the University of Toronto and a Master of Music degree from the University of Calgary.  She also spent a year studying early music at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. Julie has appeared as a soloist with many choirs and orchestras, including the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, Toronto Chamber Choir, the Elora Festival Singers, the Aradia Ensemble, Alberta Baroque (Edmonton) and La Cetra (Vancouver). Julie has been engaged for roles in Baroque Opera with Opera Atelier, Toronto Consort and Early Music Alberta. She was also a soloist in Richard Einhorn's Voices of Light with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. She has recorded with Il Furioso on Toccata Classics released in 2006. In 1999, Julie founded the Early Music Voices Concert Series. She was a founding member of Calgary's VoiceScapes and performed often as Duo Seraphim with Toronto-based soprano Katherine Hill. She is currently director of the Collegium Musicum at the University of Calgary and teaches voice at UCalgary and Mount Royal University.  Julie also maintains a private voice studio and enjoys coaching local community choirs and high schools .

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Board of Directors

President: Chellan Hoffman

Vice President: Marcia Epstein

Secretary: Rachel Fast

Treasurer: Sean Wood

Directors: Michael Cecile, George Chaconas, Elwyn Brown, Reed Hammond

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Staff & Other Important People

Administrator: Louisa Adria

Front of House Coordinator: Carol Airey

Marketing Assistant: Satoko Onoda

Web Design & Support: Amanda Massey

Programs & Design: Lia O'Hara

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Banana Bread

We know many of you appreciate the delicious banana bread offered at our after-concert receptions at Christ Church.  This is a tradition begun by our long-time board member, Beverley Peters, and is continued by Louisa Adria as she has taken over this task. 

 

After many requests for Bev’s secret recipe, we decided to make it available here.  Enjoy!

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Early Music Voices has the annual support of numerous generous individuals as well as the following organizations: