EARLY MUSIC VOICES CONCERT SOCIETY IN ELBOW PARK

Early Music Voices Concert Society in Elbow Park (EMV), a not-for-profit organization, was formed under the Societies Act of Alberta in June 2000. EMV is a registered charity under the Income Tax Act, and, accordingly is exempt from income taxes provided certain requirements of that Act are met.

EMV's Vision is "a vibrant cultural community nourished by Early Music".

EMV's Values are:
Artistic Integrity: Presenting outstanding historically-informed performances by Early Music specialists.
Community: Creating community through live performances of Early Music.
Education: Expanding knowledge and appreciation of Early Music.
Sustainability: Maintaining financial, operational and governance systems that efficiently support our Vision.

During the last twenty-two years, the concert series presented by EMV (commencing with 3 concerts in the first year, and 4 concerts (generally) thereafter until the 2018-2019 season and thereafter, when 5 concerts have been held - except for the 2020-2021 season when, due to COVID-19, four taped concerts were presented over the Internet but Handel's "Messiah" was unfortunately cancelled ) has developed into a well-known venue for early music in Canada. EMV now fields requests from agents and artists from around the world, given that touring performers seek opportunities when planning tours through the US and Canada. EMV is happy to offer them a venue in Calgary.

As well as providing opportunities for touring performers, EMV also engages local professional musicians and singers. It has been involved several times with co-productions with other groups, such as the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra and, more recently, Rosa Barocca (a relatively new period instrument ensemble in Alberta), for pieces such as Purcell's "Ode on St. Cecilia's Day", Bach's "Magnificat", Handel's "Messiah" and Monteverdi's "Vespers of 1610".

Over the last two decades plus, EMV has played a significant part in the development of the period instrument scene in Calgary, offering professional musicians the opportunity to gain experience, particularly in the baroque style. And, from the beginning, local professional singing opportunities have been created in a landscape that offered very few such opportunities in the world of early music in Calgary before the series began.