National Music Centre | Centre National de Musique

The National Music Centre is teaming up with @BowValley for a one-of-a-kind experience during #DesignWeek Calgary. YYC Soundscapes: In Tune with Motion on August 7 is an interactive experience where your movements become music. 🎶 Step into a motion-capture environment in Bow Valley College's Production Hub and help create a live soundtrack inspired by the sounds of Calgary, guided by a jazz trio – pianist Chris Tauchner, bassist Jeff Gammon, and drummer Afo Fapujuwo – performing in real time. No experience needed; just curiosity, and a willingness to move. Choose from three sessions at 12:00 pm, 1:30 pm, and 3:00 pm. Space is limited. 🔗 Register now: bit.ly/4h7M7hx

Make the most of your #HeritageDay and explore some Alberta music history today! #StudioBell, home of the National Music Centre, is open today from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Journey through five floors of exhibitions that tell that story of music in Canada – including the stories of many Alberta-bred artists – check out the free PlayLab music playground on the main floor, and bring the family along for a fun day out. 🔗 Head to studiobell.ca to plan your visit.

Synth Soundbath, NMC’s new monthly series, explores the intersection of wellness and music technology – and it’s not your typical soundbath experience. Each hour-long session begins with an educational deep dive into the history of music in wellness practices, the science of sound, and the technology behind an iconic synthesizer from NMC's collection. Participants are then invited to get comfortable and settle in for a sensory soundbath experience. Upcoming sessions: 🎹: Aug. 30: Focuses on the Alesis Andromeda A6, regarded for its expansive sonic palette that combines 16 voices of true analog synthesis. 🎹: Sept. 27: Highlights the Waldorf Wave, known for creating rich, animated textures that feel dynamic and ever-changing, making it especially well suited to immersive listening environments. 🎹: Oct. 25: Focuses on the Buchla 200e, whose lineage is tied to electronic music that treats sound as a physical, expressive medium. Visit studiobell.ca/whats-on/synth… toet tickets.

Congratulations to @wilkinsonsmusic on their induction into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame! 🤠 @CCMAofficial has announced the beloved country trio as the 2026 Artist inductees. Over their celebrated career, they've earned international acclaim with an enduring catalogue of hits, including "26 Cents" and “Nothing But Love,” along with two GRAMMY nominations, a JUNO Award win, and 11 CCMA Awards. They will be formally inducted during Country Music Week 2026, Sept. 16-19 in Saskatoon, alongside 2026 Stan Klees Builder inductee Ron Kitchener. As the permanent home of the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, the National Music Centre will celebrate their legacy with a new exhibition opening at #StudioBell in the fall.

Hiroki Tanaka, the former Yamantaka // Sonic Titan guitarist, knows his effects. For the latest in the Instrumental series, Tanaka walks through how obscure hymns became the vehicle for his new record. Read more on NMC Amplify: bit.ly/4fzwqx6

Peu d'artistes ont incarné la grâce, le talent et l'esprit comme Oliver Jones, qui nous a quittés cette semaine. Né dans le quartier de la Petite-Bourgogne à Montréal et guidé par Daisy Peterson Sweeney, sœur aînée d'Oscar Peterson, le légendaire pianiste de jazz a partagé son talent sur les plus grandes scènes du monde tout au long de sa carrière. Présence chaleureuse au Festival International de Jazz de Montréal pendant plus de 30 ans et récipiendaire de plusieurs prix Juno et Félix, sa musique perdurera à travers les générations d'artistes qu'il a inspirés. En tant qu'intronisé au Panthéon de la musique canadienne, l'héritage de Jones est honoré à Studio Bell, maison du Centre national de la musique, où son histoire est préservée aux côtés des artistes les plus célébrés du Canada. Les visiteurs peuvent y découvrir sa partition de « Saskatchewan Suite », actuellement exposée dans l'exposition du Panthéon de la musique canadienne. Nos pensées accompagnent sa famille, ses amis et tous ceux que sa musique a touchés. ----- Few artists embodied grace, musicianship, and spirit quite like Oliver Jones, who passed away this week. Born in Montreal's Little Burgundy neighbourhood and mentored by Daisy Peterson Sweeney, older sister of Oscar Peterson, the legendary jazz pianist brought his talents to the world's greatest stages over his decades-long career. A faithful presence at the Montreal International Jazz Festival for over 30 years and a multiple Juno and Félix Award winner, his music will live on through the generations of artists he inspired. As an inductee of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, Jones' legacy is celebrated at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, where his story is preserved alongside Canada's most celebrated artists. Visitors can see his sheet music for "Saskatchewan Suite" currently on display in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame exhibition. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all those touched by his music. 📷: Neil Zeller

We're hiring! 🎶 The National Music Centre is looking for two part-time team members to join us at Studio Bell: 💼 Visitor Experience Ambassador — Be the welcoming face of Studio Bell, helping guests discover Canada's music story through outstanding hospitality and audience engagement. Ideal for someone who loves connecting with people and creating memorable experiences. 💼 Barista and Retail Associate — Keep the NMC Café & Gift Shop running smoothly while delivering warm hospitality and helping guests engage with everything Studio Bell has to offer. At least one year of barista experience is required. If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you! Apply by July 31 at studiobell.ca/careers.

Few buildings have witnessed Calgary’s evolution quite like the #KingEddyYYC. Over its 120-year history, it’s been everything from a railway-era hotel and prohibition hotspot to “Calgary’s Home of the Blues.” Today, it’s a thriving live music venue where history continues to be made. Celebrate over 120 years of King Eddy history with NMC Presents: Eddy Fest, from Aug. 14-16, and honour every era of this legendary venue’s story. Get tickets at kingeddy.ca/whats-on.

🎤 The second wave of confirmed speakers has just been announced for the Alberta Music Cities Convention 2026, which is bringing together some of the world's leading voices in music policy, and economic and urban development. Make sure to grab your tickets for the convention at the early bird rate of $249 until July 24. After that, tickets will go up to $349. Join us September 29-October 1 at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, in Calgary, for three days exploring how music drives jobs, wellbeing, and thriving cities. 🎟️ Secure your tickets before the price goes up: musiccitiesevents.com/alberta

Following a sold-out debut, Nigerian-Canadian composer King Udofia will host the second edition of Gbèdu: An Afro-Jazz Orchestral Experience at Studio Bell, home of the #NationalMusicCentre, on September 4. 🎶 His 21-piece orchestra takes the stage for an immersive evening of horn-driven grooves, heavy percussion, and lush orchestral strings, encouraging audiences to sing, clap, and dance as they experience a contemporary celebration of African music and culture. 🔗 Get your tickets: bit.ly/4pHxbsQ

For #HistoricCalgaryWeek, the National Music Centre is highlighting the innovators who laid the groundwork for modern music technology. 🎶 On July 31, join us at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, for Made in Canada: Pioneers of Sound. Discover the inventions of visionaries like Hugh Le Caine and Frank Morse Robb while getting up close with the instruments they created, and see how their technological breakthroughs continue to influence the tools, techniques, and sounds that define music today. This program is free for Historic Calgary Week attendees. Tickets are limited and registration is required. 🔗 Register: bit.ly/4bRbm3Z

"The idea is that surely someone out there was looking for a song like that. They just don't know it yet." Three-time JUNO Award-winning songwriter #RonSexsmith reflects on the delicate balance between personal and universal songwriting, and why the most meaningful payoff is when a stranger tells you your song helped them through something.

PlayLab, National Music Centre’s free community space, is jam packed with free and fun events all summer long. From dance workshops to live performances and hands-on activities, there’s always something to take in. Here's what's coming up: 🎻 July 25 and Aug. 29, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm – PlayLab: Circuit Jam 🎵 Aug. 1, 11:00 am & 1:00 pm – PlayLab: Feet to the Beat 🎻 Aug. 1, 2:00 pm – CIBC Backbeat: Bow & Tell with James Watson 🎵 Aug. 8, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm – PlayLab: DIY Sound Factory 🎻 Aug. 8, 2:00 pm – CIBC Backbeat: Bow & Tell with James Watson 🎵 Aug. 15, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm – PlayLab: Kitchen Party 🎻 Aug. 15, 2:00 pm – CIBC Backbeat: Bow & Tell with James Watson 🎵 Aug. 22, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm – PlayLab: Rattle and Strum 🎻 Aug. 22, 2:00 pm – CIBC Backbeat: Bow & Tell with Genevieve Micheletti All programs are free and open to everyone on the main floor of Studio Bell. 🔗 Head to studiobell.ca/whats-on to your visit.

⏰ Eddy Fest is a month away. Join us August 14-16 as we celebrate 120 years of the @KingEddyYYC with three days of live music, community, and lots of fond (and wild) memories. Individual tickets and weekend wristbands are still available. 🔗 Get your tickets: bit.ly/3RJJU1k

They say never meet your heroes, but for the late David Clayton-Thomas, meeting his hero turned out to be a pivotal moment in his career. That choice led to #Grammys, #Junos, and a spot in the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. Read the full story: bit.ly/4fFeBOl

Ever wonder where the ukelele originated? Check out a brief history on the instrument and its global influence. And come on down to PlayLab, National Music Centre’s free community space, where you can try out a ukulele at a learn-to-play station, with local musician and educator Jason Valleau guiding beginner or advanced-level journeys. Head to studiobell.ca/exhibitions/pl… to plan your visit.

Breakfast sandwiches just dropped at the NMC Café. 🥚🎶 For the first time ever, we're serving toasted English muffin breakfast sandwiches. Go classic with egg and fried cheese, or level up with egg, fried cheese, and back bacon. Start your day on a tasty note. Available Tuesdays and Wednesdays only.

You won't meet anyone more passionate about music (or the power of preserving it) than Andrew Mosker. Check out our conversation with the @nmc_canada CEO and see why this place is one of Canada's true gems! 👀 FULL: rtrj.info/070626NMC 🎧 FULL: rtrj.info/070626 #yyc

A rare vintage microphone. A brand-new song. @jjshiplett debuts A Land Full of Giants as the #RealTalkRJ Road Trip rolls on from @nmc_canada. Watch the full interview here: rtrj.info/070926Shiplett #yyc

On July 23, join JUNO Award-winning producer, engineer, and musician Will Maclellan for an immersive half-day music production workshop inside National Music Centre’s Recording Studios. Drawing on his work with artists like Sarah McLachlan, this is a rare opportunity to learn directly from one of Canada's most accomplished producers. Maclellan will explore the creative and technical decisions that shape a finished recording, from arrangement and engineering to mixing and performance. 🔗 Get your tickets: bit.ly/4fdadEK