Christ Church - Calgary

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 our previous concerts.

History

When Julie Harris returned to her native Calgary in 1999, 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. In recent years EMV has hosted an ensemble from France, many groups from Montreal, and in the 20th Anniversary season countertenor, Andreas Scholl from Germany.  Touring performers are always looking for venues when they plan 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. Increasingly, EMV has presented large projects alone, often in exciting collaborations with Rosa Barocca (Bach’s Magnificat  in 2018 and Handel’s Messiah in 2019&20). Over the years, EMV has played a significant part in the development of Calgary’s early music scene, 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 is a member of Calgary's VoiceScapes and also Duo Seraphim with Toronto-based soprano Katherine Hill. She is director of the Collegium Musicum at the University of Calgary and teaches voice at UCalgary and Mount Royal University.  She maintains a private voice studio and has coached many local community choirs and high schools .

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Board of Directors

President: Keith Courtney

Vice President: John Bulger

Secretary: Simone Brosig

Treasurer: John Partridge

Director: Louisa Adria

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Banana Bread

We know many of you appreciate the delicious banana bread offered at our after-concert receptions.  This treat is a tradition begun by our long-time board member, Beverley Peters.  It has been carried on by our new reception coordinator, Diana Klaassen who has also brought her own twist to the offerings at our receptions.  She continues to help make them special.  Thank you, Diana!

After many requests for Bev’s secret recipe, we decided to make it available here.  It should help you get through the weeks between EMV concerts.  

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