History of the Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra

Our Journey

The Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra (RMSO) was founded in 2016 with a vision to bring the rich, emotive power of orchestral music to communities in the shadow of the Rockies. Established by passionate musicians and community leaders, the RMSO has quickly evolved from a community ensemble into a 45-member symphony orchestra with a robust season averaging 12 concerts annually, captivating audiences with its dynamic and captivating performances.

Sometimes called the RMSO, the Rocky Mountain Symphony is unique due to our cross-section of both professional and accomplished amateur musicians. A number of our musicians play with various other orchestras in the region as their schedule allows, including the Calgary Philharmonic, Red Deer Symphony, Lethbridge Symphony, Symphony of the Kootenays, Firebird Symphony & Chorus, University of Calgary Orchestra, and the Calgary Youth Orchestra.

Founding and Early Years

Starting out as the “Calgary Community Orchestra”, which met together just monthly for a playthrough and a potluck, the seeds of the RMSO were sown by a group of dedicated musicians and friends who noticed a space for an orchestra that fell somewhere between an amateur community orchestra (with weekly rehearsals) and a full-time professional orchestra.

• The first few years saw incredible growth. We performed in many varied locations, building a dedicated audience.

• The pandemic changed a few things, but did not slow us down. We created a variety of recorded and socially-distanced performances, providing important work for musicians in a time when paid work was nearly impossible.

• Post-pandemic, audiences are returning stronger-than-ever. The majority of performances happen at the Polaris Theatre.

Vision for the Future

The RMSO is dedicated to broadening the accessibility of orchestral music in the region, within the city of Calgary and beyond.

Our long-term 'Dream Big' initiative aims to supplement our regular programming with a series of outdoor summer concerts, fostering civic pride and community support. We envision a future where music becomes a unifying force, bringing joy and inspiration to all.