National Music Centre | Centre National de Musique

10/19/2026

What a ride it’s been since PlayLab opened to the public! 🥁

From hands-on activities and workshops to plenty of musical experimentation, we’ve packed a lot of play into this free, interactive space. Families, kids, and curious music lovers of all ages have been discovering how sound works the best way we know how – by making it.

And we’re only getting started. ✨

Bring the family back on the weekend for new activities, workshops, and more opportunities to make some noise.

Find out what’s on: bit.ly/4B3qRks

🎶 Song by Rattle & Strum.

10/16/2026

A rare piece of music history is now on display at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre. 🎹

Check out this Oscar Peterson Signature Edition Grand by Bösendorfer. On loan from Qualico Properties, it’s one of 12 ever made worldwide – and the only one in Canada!

Peterson once said a Bösendorfer piano "spoke to him" the moment he touched it, and this instrument was created in his honour as one of the most accomplished pianists Canada has ever produced. Adding to its legacy, this piano was also played by late Alberta jazz pianist Tommy Banks.

Visit this rare piano as part of Timeless: 100 Years of Oscar Peterson on now at Studio Bell until August 2027.

10/16/2026

🎄 Le Noël d’Andy Kim, présenté par le Centre national de musique (CNM) et evenko, est de retour à Montréal le 5 décembre.

Ce concert des Fêtes spécial mettra à l’honneur certains des plus grands talents musicaux du Canada et du Québec, tout en aidant le CNM à bâtir des ponts créatifs partout au pays.

La programmation réunit les membres du Panthéon de la musique canadienne Andy Kim et Alan Frew, de Glass Tiger; la chanteuse acadienne et « reine canadienne du disco » Patsy Gallant; Neil Donell, natif de Montréal et ancien ténor principal du groupe Chicago; l’auteur-compositeur-interprète né en Nouvelle-Écosse J.D. Fortune, gagnant de Rock Star: INXS; la chanteuse et comédienne lauréate d’un prix Félix Joe Bocan; Fred Dionne, lauréat d’un prix de la CCMA; Katrine Sansregret, nommée aux prix Félix; ainsi que l’ancienne VJ de MusiquePlus Geneviève Borne, qui animera la soirée.

Tous les profits seront versés aux programmes du CNM à Montréal ainsi qu’au programme de musicothérapie de la Fondation de l’Hôpital de Montréal pour enfants.

🎟️ Procurez-vous vos billets: bit.ly/3U0wTl6

🎄 The Andy Kim Christmas, presented by the National Music Centre (NMC), returns to Montreal on Dec. 5.

This special holiday concert will celebrate some of Canada and Quebec's brightest musical talents, while helping NMC build creative bridges across the country.

The lineup features Canadian Music Hall of Famers Andy Kim and Alan Frew of Glass Tiger; Acadian singer and Canada’s “Queen of Disco” Patsy Gallant (Patsy Gallant Fan Club); Montreal-born Neil Donell, the former lead tenor vocalist of Chicago; Nova Scotia-born singer-songwriter JD Fortune, winner of Rock Star: INXS; Félix Award-winning singer and actress Joe Bocan; CCMA Award-winning artist Fred Dionne; Félix Award nominee Katrine Sansregret-Artiste; and former MusiquePlus Geneviève Borne PAGE OFFICIELLE will host the evening.

All proceeds support NMC's programs in Montreal and The Montreal La Fondation du Children - The Children's Foundation's Music Therapy Program.

🎟️ Get your tickets: bit.ly/3U0wTl6

10/16/2026

Are you a teacher looking to take learning beyond the classroom? We've got a field trip that'll strike a chord with your students.

At the National Music Centre, we bring Alberta’s curriculum to life through hands-on lessons led by talented musician educators. Students can explore, experiment, and discover exciting connections between music and the world around them.

Inspire your class through the lens of music! Head to studiobell.ca/schools to book your field trip.

10/15/2026

What's coming up in PlayLab? From dancing to circuit building, there's something new to discover each week. 🎶

🎶 Oct. 17 – PlayLab: Feet to the Beat – Move and groove to a new style of dance each session, led by longtime dance educator Kym Butler. This week's session will be a street dance class for all ages, featuring DJ Evgeniy (of Sargeant X Comrade). Sessions run at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.
🎶 Oct. 24 – PlayLab: Circuit Jam – Kids ages 9-12 build simple circuits and experiment with synthesizers, discovering how electricity becomes music. Drop-in run from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm.

All PlayLab programs are free on the main floor of Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre.

🔗 Plan your visit: bit.ly/4B3qRks

10/15/2026

Cumberland House Cree Nation artist and motivational speaker Ger Carriere’s song “Can I Be Her” is a love letter to her younger self, who dreamed that she could one day be like the women she saw on her TV screen. It’s also an inspiring message to other women to dream big, believe in themselves, and go after what they want.

Captured during the OHSOTO’KINO Music Incubator at the National Music Centre (NMC) in Calgary, watch the full performance on NMC Amplify: bit.ly/4jVFDn9

Special thanks to TD for its support of NMC’s OHSOTO’KINO Indigenous Programming Initiative.

10/14/2026

Mudmen Celtic Rock Band are bringing their “East Coast kitchen party with guitars” to Calgary this Sunday, Oct. 18!

For nearly 30 years, they've built a reputation as one of Canada's most entertaining live acts. Expect a full-throttle night of bagpipes, Celtic rock, and good times!

🔗 Get tickets: bit.ly/3VPw67d

10/14/2026

Congratulations to former National Music Centre (NMC) staff member Sarah Davachi, who has been awarded the Silver Lion at the 2026 Biennale Musica in Venice! 🏆

Called “one of the most interesting and coherent voices in the contemporary musical landscape, centred on the innovative hybridisation of electronic and acoustic languages,” Davachi spent a decade with NMC, teaching education programs, developing content, and archiving data about our collection, before building an international career that has resulted in her compositions being commissioned and performed by major ensembles and orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Brussels Philharmonic, the London Contemporary Orchestra, and more.

In 2021, Davachi spent a week as the National Music Centre’s Stingray Classical Artist in Residence, experimenting with our living collection of musical instruments.

We’re so proud of you, Sarah! We’ve loved following your journey and seeing your incredible talent recognized around the world.

The Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement goes to the poet of noise Keiji Haino; the Silver Lion to Canadian composer and organist Sarah Davachi. Awards Ceremony on 12 October at Ca’ Giustinian.

10/14/2026

Montreal-based electronic artist Tess Roby has a new single out today. “Dream Q” was written and recorded during her 2024 residency at the National Music Centre, presented by Partake Brewing. We are absolutely spellbound at the result.

Watch her self-directed video for the track, and find her new single out everywhere today.

𖦹 Stream everywhere: https://orcd.co/dreamq𖦹 Buy: http://tessroby....

10/13/2026

It's almost showtime! 🎬 One hundred years after it premiered, F. W. Murnau's Faust returns to the big screen with a live organist in the room on Oct. 15, 16, and 17 at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre (NMC).

Presented with Calgary Cinematheque, the silent cinema masterpiece will be brought to life with multi-instrumentalist Chris Maric playing a live score on NMC’s Allen Theatre Organ.

🔗 Get tickets: bit.ly/3Wo0w0u

Illustration: Leetia (Leechuts)