Feature story

Ring my bell
Bob Clark, Calgary Herald, July 7, 2011

July means Stampede for most Calgarians, but in the realm of classical music it also means Mount Royal Conservatory's annual Morningside Music Bridge (MMB) exchange program – a kind of summer boot camp for some of the world's most gifted artists-in-the-making.

The month-long program of master classes and concerts celebrates its 15th anniversary this year.

The international contingent of students taking part in the 2011 edition of MMB includes 57 teenage musicians from China, Poland, the United States and across Canada.

In addition to 13 free student recitals, there are two ticketed events -the Concerto Concert with the Calgary Philharmonic on July 12 and the Gala Concert on July 18.

There are also three faculty concerts: a concert on July 9 featuring three Morningside Music Bridge alumni and seven additional faculty members; a recital given by cellist Tomasz Strahl and pianist Krzysztof Jablonski (July 16); and a July 24 piano recital by an acknowledged master of virtuoso Romantic repertoire, Andre Laplante.

For info on all MMB goings-on, visit mtroyal.ca/musicbridge

More details are also available on the Herald's Eye on the Arts blog.

Of special imminent note, there will be an MMB promotional event tonight at Art Central, beginning at 6 p.m., featuring classical guitarists, opera singers and an MMB ensemble.

Original source