Sounds Like Alberta Brings Community, Creativity, and Music Together
The Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra’s Sounds Like Alberta performance was a celebration of music, creativity, and community connection, bringing together audiences, volunteers, artists, and musicians in a shared live experience. The program paired new Alberta compositions inspired by the province’s landscapes with Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony No. 6, creating a meaningful dialogue between contemporary works and a classical piece similarly rooted in nature.
Held as part of RMSO’s 2025–26 season, Sounds Like Alberta welcomed a diverse audience that included families, seniors, first-time concertgoers, and returning supporters. The performance reflected RMSO’s ongoing commitment to making live orchestral music accessible, welcoming, and rooted in community participation.
Community involvement was central to the success of the event. RMSO was supported by volunteers from Airdrie 1st and NOW Youth, whose energy, professionalism, and generosity helped ensure a welcoming experience for audience members from arrival to departure. Youth volunteers played an especially important role, contributing to event logistics while gaining exposure to live arts production and community leadership.
A Special Thanks to Our Fabulous Volunteers, Airdrie 1st and NOW Youth!
Airdrie 1st
NOW Youth
A unique feature of Sounds Like Alberta was the inclusion of a live visual artist, Amelia Hills, who created an original artwork during the performance in response to the music unfolding on stage. This real-time creative process added a powerful visual dimension to the concert and underscored the connection between different artistic disciplines.
The completed artwork was later shared with the audience through a live auction, with the winning bidder taking home a one-of-a-kind piece created in the moment. Proceeds from the auction directly support RMSO’s programming and accessibility initiatives.
Artist Amelia Hills
And the winner is… Candice Ritchie!
Sounds Like Alberta exemplifies RMSO’s mission to embed orchestral music within the life of the community, as a shared cultural gathering that welcomes curiosity, creativity, and participation. The success of this performance reinforces the value of community partnerships, volunteer engagement, and innovative programming in building meaningful connections through music.
RMSO extends sincere thanks to its musicians, volunteers, creative collaborators, community partners, and audiences for making Sounds Like Alberta such a vibrant and memorable experience.
Sounds Like Alberta is part of RMSO’s broader commitment to accessible, community-based orchestral experiences across Calgary and beyond.