Calgary Philharmonic and Cenovus team to bring music to local schools

    In June, string quartets from the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra will travel throughout southern Alberta to bring music to over 1,000 students in rural areas. Made possible through the generous support of Cenovus Energy, the tour will introduce youth to expressive orchestral repertoire in an educational setting that makes classical music fun and approachable.      This Education and Outreach initiative begins in Drumheller on June 13 with performances at Greentree Elementary, St. Anthony’s and Drumheller Valley Secondary School. The featured ensemble is Bell’arte Strings, a group of four CPO musicians including Steven Lubiarz, violin, Donovan Seidle, violin, Michael Bursey, viola, and Kirill Kalmykov, cello. Students will be treated to a one-hour concert, with the chance to interact with the musicians in a question and answer period.
     The tour continues on June 16 with a stop at Hussar School followed by Brooks Central School, where students from nearby Eastbrook will join the audience. The day wraps up with an afternoon performance for the kids at Jenner School. On June 17, the musicians again hit the road to visit the Margaret Wooding School in Redcliff then to Ralston School.
     “We’re thrilled that we can bring the CPO musicians to students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience this type of performance,” says Lynne Douglas, Cenovus Group Lead, Community Investment. “We’re always looking for opportunities to work with schools through our education outreach programs as we believe groups like the CPO help to enrich students’ learning experience.’’
     “The CPO is very fortunate to be so closely involved with Cenovus Energy” says Ann Lewis-Luppino, President & CEO of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. “These recitals make a lasting impact on the students and teachers who attend, and for many, this is their first introduction to classical music. It is because of Cenovus Energy’s strong commitment to the communities in which they operate that these performances are possible.”