Canadian Music Centre Prairie Region Presents:
ArcherFest, November 22 & 23
Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Violet Archer
The Canadian Music Centre Prairie Region is proud to present: ArcherFest, a celebration dedicated to the life and legacy of visionary Canadian composer Violet Archer! Also recognizing CMC Prairie’s 45th anniversary, this two-day festival brings together artists from across Canada to honour Archer and her contribution to the Canadian classical landscape.
Day 1 – November 22
Join Us for Family Friendly Events!
| Time | Event | Location | Admission Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:45am | Kimball Theatre Organ Demonstration – Catch the live demonstration of Kimball Theatre Organ! Used to soundtrack movies during the silent film era of the 1920s, the Kimball Theatre Organ is one of the most popular items in the National Music Centre collection. | Level 3, Sound Affects | Admission required to access this demonstration |
| 12:30pm | Violet’s Path: a free storytelling event for the whole family! | Level 1, Drop-in Zone | FREE Admission, pre-registration required |
| 1:30pm | Composer Reading Session with the Kensington Sinfonia | Level 1, Drop-in Zone | FREE Admission, pre-registration required |
This interactive storytelling event is written and performed by Léa Plourde-Archer, grandniece of Violet Archer, and features pianist Sandra Joy Friesen. All ages welcome!
“I knew in my soul that I needed to play music every day for the rest of my life. Music brought me so much joy that I didn’t want to think about how hard life could be at the time for a woman trying to make a name for herself in the musical industry.” – Léa Plourde-Archer, Violet’s Path: the melodious life of Violet Balestreri Archer
Violet Archer (1913-2000) earned high honours as a classical music composer beginning in the 1930s. This was a rare career choice, especially for women at the time, so Violet faced many obstacles. Through passion and perseverance, she earned much respect from her peers and built up a catalogue comprising over 300 compositions.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Violet’s death, and her work and life story are as relevant as ever. Inspired by her great-aunt’s legacy, drive, and enthusiasm, writer Léa Plourde-Archer presents a picture book manuscript that will bring Violet’s story to new eyes and ears. Meant to be enjoyed by children and adults alike, this story is one of a great Canadian artist who didn’t set out to be a trailblazer, but became a role model to many simply by following her instincts.
The author will read the full manuscript, which will be accompanied by drawings and photographs illustrating Violet Archer’s life. The reading will also be punctuated with short musical interludes played by live musicians.
About Léa Plourde-Archer:
Léa Plourde-Archer is an experienced content writer and emerging literary voice. Recently, her creative focus has turned toward the life and legacy of her great aunt, celebrated Canadian composer Violet Archer. Fueled by a deep curiosity and a vibrant imagination, Léa is currently developing two manuscripts about Violet’s life: one crafted for young readers and the other intended for adults. She hopes to bring this remarkable musical figure to new audiences through storytelling and research.
The Canadian Music Centre Prairie Region presents Composer’s Reading Session, featuring the Kensington Sinfonia. This interactive session brings selected works by local contemporary composers to life, giving each piece a live reading and immediate response from the musicians. Composers can hear their music performed, experiment with ideas, and work directly with the ensemble to explore nuances of orchestration and interpretation. As a rare live workshop experience, this session provides invaluable feedback from professional musicians.
About Kensington Sinfonia:
The Kensington Sinfonia has been sharing intimate, inspiring chamber music with Calgary since 1988. From timeless Baroque favorites to bold new works, the ensemble creates programs that celebrate both tradition and innovation. With a strong focus on local composers and collaborations, the Sinfonia brings fresh energy to every performance. Now in its fourth decade, Kensington Sinfonia continues to make classical music welcoming, creative, and community-driven — inviting audiences of all ages to connect with the joy of live performance in new and meaningful ways.
Day 2 – November 23 – Ticketed
| Time | Event | Location | Admission Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:30pm | Pre-concert Chat with Janna Sailor and Anton Lindenblatt – As part of an ongoing initiative to promote the works of Violet Archer, Canadian Music Centre (CMC) Prairie Region Director Janna Sailor sits down with CMC Prairie Library Assistant Anton Lindenblatt to discuss the Violet Archer Digital Engraving Project. | Level 2, Performance Hall | Tickets Required |
| 2:00pm | In Violet Light: Celebration Concert of Violet Archer | Level 2, Performance Hall | Tickets Required |
This concert celebrates the luminous legacy of Violet Archer (1913-2000), whose music reflects a vibrant blend of intellect, lyricism, and national identity. Archer’s musical palette is deeply evocative, and this program brings to life her extraordinary concepts of tonality, phrasing, counterpoint, structure, and texture that shaped and solidified her mastery.
In Violet Light invites listeners to trace the pathways of Archer’s creative journey and her lifelong advocacy for new music. Featuring renowned Canadian artists Camryn Dewar (soprano) and Sandra Joy Friesen (piano), experience how her works continue to resonate through solo piano pieces elegantly complemented with songs for mezzo soprano.
About Camryn Dewar
Fulbright scholar and multi-instrumentalist Camryn Dewar is a champion of vocal versatility and accomplished Métis musician, known for her dynamic range across musical genres including contemporary classical, opera, musical theatre, and jazz. Hailed as an “incredible performer and instrument” (Jeffrey Gall), Camryn is passionate about presenting works of living and Indigenous composers, and is committed to using her artistry as a catalyst to uplift and amplify Indigenous voices. After successfully completing a highly-acclaimed tour of her lecture recital on Indigenous female representation in Canadian opera in New Jersey, she is now touring this innovative and unique lecture recital series across Canada.
Recent operatic engagements include: Blind Injustice at Jazz at Lincoln Centre, The Grapes of Wrath at Carnegie Hall with Tony Award winning music director Ted Sperling, Indians on Vacation at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Hansel and Gretel at Montclair State University, Li Keur: Riel’s Heart of the North at Manitoba Opera, and Living Music at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
Camryn has received numerous awards and fellowships, earning her Bachelor of Music (Vocal Performance) from the University of Manitoba, and her Master of Music (Performance) at Montclair State University with Metropolitan Opera mezzo-soprano Barbara Dever.
About Dr. Sandra Joy Friesen
In the early stage of her performing career, Sandra Joy Friesen became intrigued by music that took her beyond the familiar conventions of structure and style, music that required alternative approaches to interpretation and practice, and heightened sensitivity towards musical expressions. As she welcome opportunities that fulfill the creative process, Sandra Joy played a broad range of repertoire from traditional to contemporary, to interpretation of pictorial scores and interdisciplinary collaboration.
In 2009, Sandra Joy’s studies in improvisation and free-interpretation with pianist Douglas Finch (London, England) became a turning point in her musical artistry and this practice continues to feed her inspiration and motivation as a musical artist. Sandra Joy havs promoted the music of Canadian composers since the early 90s and was invited by the Association for Canadian Studies in Mexico and in Brazil to represent the University of Alberta and Canadian composers in solo piano recitals.
Generous awards from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and Edmonton Arts Council allowed Sandra Joy to complete the recording Sound Reflections, Volume 1: Off the Shelf; a project of audio plus video recordings that provide interpretive context and address various challenges in contemporary music. Among her musical passions, the elegantly refined and picturesque style of the French masters features regularly in her solo piano programs. Sandra Joy has always felt a special sensitivity for art song and choir collaborations, performing this vast repertoire throughout her career and, currently, she enjoys being the pianist for the Cantaré Children’s Choir.
This festival is presented in partnership with the National Music Centre and the Alberta Registered Music Teachers Association (ARMTA)
