Alberta

2022 was Alberta’s most active year to date, with 243 live concerts across the province. We also continued our Concerts in Care Online program in partnership with the Health Arts Society of BC with 52 digital concerts distributed. In an effort to reach more populations with limited access to live music, we expanded to offer concerts at the Edmonton Public Library and several psychiatric facilities.

Live and Online Concerts: The mainstay of our programming continues to be our in-person concerts. This year we performed 243 concerts, reaching approximately 9,500 seniors living in care. Although the majority of our concerts are performed in Edmonton, Calgary and Red Deer, we had our largest geographic reach to date with many live concerts performed in smaller centres. Albertan artists performed in facilities in communities including Canmore, Camrose, Evansburg, Innisfail, Lacombe, Lethbridge, Mayerthorpe, Morinville, Olds, Raymond, Rocky Mountain House, Slave Lake, Stettler, Taber, Tofield, Westlock, Wetaskiwin, and Whitecourt. A new partnership with the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra enabled us to bring concerts free of charge to many facilities throughout central Alberta.

While our digital platform, Concerts in Care Online, began as a way to reach seniors during COVID lockdown, it has now become an important part of our regular programming. Working together with the Health Arts Society of BC, we produced 52 digital concerts featuring local artists and distributed them to seniors across the province.

Expanding Our Reach: An important part of our strategic plan is continuing to explore how to reach new audiences. In 2022 we launched two new programs: concerts in psychiatric facilities and Library Lunchtime Concerts at the Edmonton Public Library. Working with Alberta Hospital, a psychiatric facility in Edmonton, we performed five concerts for patients living at the hospital. We also performed a pilot program at Prosper Place, a peer-led mental health day program that offers support to those experiencing mental illness in the community. Both programs were highly successful with more concerts planned in 2023.

Launched in August 2022, our Library Lunchtime program features performances at the Edmonton Public Library’s Stanley Milner Branch, an inner-city library that serves the downtown core. Each concert has been well-attended, with many exceeding capacity. Concerts are fully accessible, free and are attended by a wide cross-section of the public. We are thrilled to see local seniors’ groups accessing these performances as well as members of the downtown transient community.

Funders: We are grateful for the continued support of BMO Financial, the Azrieli Foundation, the Stollery Foundation, Community Foundations of Canada, the Edmonton Community Foundation, the Rozsa Foundation, and London Drugs. As always, we could not do what we do without the support of our government funders, The Province of Alberta, The Canada Council for the Arts, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Edmonton Arts Council and Calgary Arts Development.

Organizational Development: Led by our President, Karen Lynch and Vice-President, Aliya Rota, we focused this year on expanding our reach and public awareness of our work. A communication and fundraising plan supported by the Rozsa Foundation and Parker PR resulted in a successful first annual fundraising drive to “donate a concert” and an increased media presence across Alberta.

Board of Directors: Karen Lynch (President), Aliya Rota (Vice-President), Bernie Bolton (Secretary/ Treasurer), Faith Boka-Gwinji, Kieran F. Ryan, Alexander Sabharwal, Dr Jeffrey Steed, Bruce Munro Wright, O.B.C., Dr Roger Yao

Staff: Meran Currie-Roberts (Executive and Artistic Director)

“Our concert last week was absolutely amazing! We were blown away at the talent from the two musicians. Thank you so much for everything you do!”

Emily Reitsma, Recreation Manager, Seasons Wetaskiwin

“We especially loved playing in Westlock, where, after our performance, a few people came up to us in tears saying how much they enjoyed it. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that what we do matters and I’m so grateful that I got to be reminded of that this week.”

Christina Barry, violinist

“ used to attend concerts at the Banff Centre with my husband, but he passed away and now I am all alone. Thank you for bringing the music to me.”

Resident, Canmore General Hospital Wetaskiwin

“[These concerts] at Alberta Hospital Edmonton’s Forensics Psychiatry program are an opportunity for individuals who experience addiction and mental health illness and have come into conflict with the law to experience music in a secure and therapeutic atmosphere as community re-integration strategy. Programs and events like this provide recovery-oriented therapeutic experiences to facilitate healing during the patient’s recovery journey.”

Lindsey Pearson, Alberta Health Services

“It was very moving. I got a classical CD as a gift and never opened it. I’m going home to listen to it now. ”

Peer Member, Prosper Place

“I cannot fully express how much I deeply value your generosity and kindness, the music was incredible and patients truly loved it. Thank you so, so much!!! Looking forward to continue working with you in the future to spread the love for music that heals hearts.”

Dr. Maryana Kravtsenyuk, Forensic Psychiatrist, Alberta Hospital Edmonton

“As a senior, I don’t have a lot of extra income for concerts, but I love them. I will be coming to every single one of these concerts. Waves of sound and energy engulfed us, holding us captive throughout the concert. It was magic.”

Audience members, Library Lunchtime Concerts