News

Cantos Sends Army of Buskers to Thank City Hall for $25 million Commitment to National Music Centre Project

Nearly 30 Calgary buskers hit the downtown core on January 26 to thank City Council for its unanimous decision to support the National Music Centre project with a $25 million commitment.

Donning bright green t-shirts that said City Hall Rocks!, the buskers caught the attention of passers by while volunteer busker buddies shared information about the project..

Community Leaders Feel the Music

Seven respected Calgary business leaders join Cantos Music Foundation Board of Directors as King Eddy project gains momentum

November 3, 2009 Calgary, AB – As Cantos Music Foundation continues to build support for its national music centre vision at the site of the King Edward Hotel, Calgary’s community leaders are marching to the beat of the organization’s rhythm.
The non-profit announced today the appointment of six business luminaries to its Board of Directors including:
 
• Desiree Bombenon, PDL Contact Centres
• Roman Cooney, Alberta Health Services
• Cam Crawford, Catalyst Chartered Accountants
• Charlie Fischer, Retired (formerly of Nexen)
• Jamie Leong-Huxley, Canada West Foundation
• Ron Mannix, Coril Holdings
• Ric Singleton, Architect

“Having leaders of this caliber on board is inspiring and exciting,” says Roger Jackson, chair of Cantos Music Foundation’s board of directors. “It speaks to the bold vision and the bright future of our organization as it expands the scope of its one-of-a-kind collection and community programming to reflect our vision to be a national catalyst for discovery, innovation and renewal through music and Canada’s only national music centre.”

The new directors each bring a specific area of expertise to the board giving the organization depth and breadth that will guide it through this phase of growth and development. Bombenon, who, in addition to being appointed a director, has also agreed to co-lead Cantos’ volunteer fundraising team to help build the national music centre. She says Cantos’ vision appealed to her professionally and personally.

“I’m very much looking forward to working with this impressive group of leaders,” she says. “And to be a part of an organization that will be a catalyst for development in the East Village as well as for music and arts locally, provincially and nationally is a thrilling opportunity.”

Desiree Bombenon is the president and COO of PDL Contact Centres Ltd., and is recognized as one of Calgary’s young business leaders. 

Roman Cooney is SVP Communications for Alberta Health Services and has a long and impressive record as a professional communicator in Calgary.

Cam Crawford is managing partner of Catalyst Chartered Accountants and Consultants and has been involved with the Canadian Country Music Historical Society, High River Economic Development Commission and the Olds College Centre for Innovation Board.

Charlie Fischer retired from his position as president and CEO of Nexen in 2008. During his time with Nexen, he helped the company become a leading oilsands player.

Jamie Leong-Huxley joined Canada West Foundation in January 2009 as its first Communication Manager, and six months later was appointed to the new role of Director of Community Engagement. A proud, fourth generation western Canadian, Jamie brings 24 years’ business, strategic planning and communication experience to the board.

Ron Mannix‘s work with his family's business has literally helped to build Alberta, while his record of community leadership has helped many of his fellow Albertans find the same balance he strives for in his own life. Ron believes that music has the most universal ability of all the arts to strengthen the human spirit. That belief, along with the love of music he inherited from his mother, led to efforts that have made Calgary an internationally-recognized centre for music.

Ric Singleton has lived and worked in Calgary for 58 of his 62 years and was a respected practicing architect for 36 years before retiring in 2008.

The seven new members join Roger C. Jackson (Chair), Mary Rozsa de Coquet, Freida Butcher (Treasurer) and Ken Bossenkool.

Cantos Music Foundation is a registered charitable organization whose vision it is to be a national catalyst for discovery, innovation and renewal through music. Cantos serves nearly 30,000 people per year – a number that’s expected to more than triple in the new facility.

Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame Becomes Part of National Music Centre Vision

Cantos Music Foundation acquires Hall of Fame memorabilia to expand existing collection and tell Canada's national country music story. 

Calgary, June 24, 2009 - As part of its vision to build a national music centre on the site of the King Edward Hotel, Cantos Music Foundation has acquired the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame currently located on the Stampede Grounds.

"This acquisition marks a major milestone for Cantos," says Andrew Mosker, Cantos' executive director. "It allows us to tell an important Canadian music story and brings us one step closer to realizing our vision of creating a national music centre in Calgary's East Village."

Previously owned by Deb Buck, widow of legendary Alberta artist, producer and Hall of Fame founder Gary Buck, the acquisition builds on Cantos' one-of-a-kind music collection and will be used extensively in programming for children, seniors and everyone in between. A fact Buck says convinced her that Cantos and the Hall of Fame were a perfect fit.

"When I spent some time at Cantos and saw the way they use their collection to bring music to children, I knew this is what Gary would have wanted for the Hall of Fame," says Buck. "He wanted the artifacts and memorabilia to teach people, especially children, about country music in Canada - and Cantos is the perfect organization to do just that."

The Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame includes photographs and memorabilia from Canadian Country stars ranging from Hank Snow to Terri Clark as well as people who contributed to growing Canada's country music scene in other ways.  Global Country, an organization that has collected country music memorabilia of its own and displayed them in the Hall of Fame building at Stampede Park, has transferred custodianship of its artifacts to Cantos as well.

The Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame will be open throughout the 2009 Calgary Stampede July 3-12 at its usual location. Cantos is also currently in discussions with the Canadian Country Music Association to explore opportunities to work together in the future.

 "The possibilities are limitless," he says. "We're very much looking forward to working with the country music community in Canada and playing a role in its future as well as in its legacy."