NAC orchestra Canada 150 tour

Prairie Provinces

From October 19 –28, the National Arts Centre Orchestra will continue its Canada 150 Tour, beginning in Winnipeg, then travelling to Saskatoon, Calgary and Edmonton. The tour will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation through music, by engaging with audiences, young audiences and young artists.

This is the first tour led by the NAC Orchestra’s highly acclaimed Music Director, Alexander Shelley, and will feature the Calgary-based pianist, Jan Lisiecki and NAC Orchestra violinist Jessica Linnebach.

Featured artists

In your classroom and in your community

The tour includes 150 education and community engagement activities in all western provinces and northern territories that will unite the musicians of the Orchestra with students, educators, community leaders and artists.

Learn more about our Prairie Provinces education activities

Featured events

Winnipeg, MB

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Saskatoon, SK

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Calgary, AB

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Edmonton, AB

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Education & outreach

Celebrating the artists, educators and youth who will shape our future. 

The NAC Orchestra’s Music Director, Alexander Shelley will work with community bands, youth orchestras, students and young artists. Cross-cultural engagement activities will focus on giving students the opportunity for understanding and exchange with a focus on creative expression through the arts.

Inspiring collaborations

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    University of Manitoba Residency

    Alexander Shelley, Jan Lisiecki, John Estacio and NAC Orchestra musicians will be in residence at the Desautels Faculty of Music at the University… Alexander Shelley, Jan Lisiecki, John Estacio and NAC Orchestra… Alexander Shelley, Jan Lisiecki, John Estacio and NAC Orchestra musicians will be in residence at the Desautels Faculty of Music at the University of Manitoba from October 17-20.  The residency will include instrument specific masterclasses, sectional rehearsals, lectures, conducting and composition workshops and a special recital performance.

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    Residency at the Mount Royal University Conservatory

    Alexander Shelley and NACO musicians will offer masterclasses to students including a two-day residency with the Mount Royal University Conservatory's… Alexander Shelley and NACO musicians will offer masterclasses… Alexander Shelley and NACO musicians will offer masterclasses to students including a two-day residency with the Mount Royal University Conservatory's internationally acclaimed ensemble and one of Canada’s leading community youth orchestras: the Calgary Youth Orchestra.

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    Arts and Community: A Summit for Indigenous Musicians

    Ten outstanding Winnipeg artists representing diverse Indigenous cultures and musical genres will attend a Summit for Indigenous Musicians led… Ten outstanding Winnipeg artists representing diverse Indigenous… Ten outstanding Winnipeg artists representing diverse Indigenous cultures and musical genres will attend a Summit for Indigenous Musicians led by Winnipeg’s Leonard Sumner and Montreal’s Moe Clark, which will conclude with a community performance event at the iconic Thunderbird House.

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    Building community with Zoey Roy

    The award-winning Indigenous youth leader and MAP Teaching Artist Zoey Roy will lead two events in Saskatoon, a talk and Q&A for young people… The award-winning Indigenous youth leader and MAP Teaching… The award-winning Indigenous youth leader and MAP Teaching Artist Zoey Roy will lead two events in Saskatoon, a talk and Q&A for young people interested in careers in the arts, and a hip-hop creation workshop at a local First Nations elementary school.

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    Métis celebration with Daniel Gervais

    Celebrated Métis Fiddler and MAP Teaching Artist Daniel Gervais will lead school and community events in Edmonton, sharing Métis… Celebrated Métis Fiddler and MAP Teaching Artist Daniel… Celebrated Métis Fiddler and MAP Teaching Artist Daniel Gervais will lead school and community events in Edmonton, sharing Métis culture with students and mentoring the next generation of fiddlers.

Music Alive Program


The NAC’s Music Alive Program has reached over 100,000 students, teachers, and community members in mostly rural and remote communities in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nunavut, and the Atlantic provinces. The program promotes musical and cultural diversity and will be featured throughout the tour as MAP teaching artists lead innovative education events with schools and community organizations.

Engaging musical education

  • Masterclasses & workshops

    Music Director Alexander Shelley, pianist Jan Lisiecki, concertmaster Yosuke Kawasaki, and guest artists offer masterclasses and workshops at… Music Director Alexander Shelley, pianist Jan Lisiecki, concertmaster… Music Director Alexander Shelley, pianist Jan Lisiecki, concertmaster Yosuke Kawasaki, and guest artists offer masterclasses and workshops at the Universities of Manitoba, Regina, Saskatchewan, and Calgary, Mount Royal University Conservatory.

  • Musical encounters

    The tour will include student showcasing opportunities, masterclasses, workshops, coaching sessions and school performances. NAC Orchestra musicians… The tour will include student showcasing opportunities, masterclasses,… The tour will include student showcasing opportunities, masterclasses, workshops, coaching sessions and school performances. NAC Orchestra musicians will perform in-school concerts for Francophone elementary students in every city.