For the second year in a row, Honens is hosting Piano Project YYC, an event that brings the joys of piano music to unexpected corners of the city, from libraries and parks to plazas and community hubs. “I think communities are desperate for live music,” said Amanda Smith, Honens president and CEO. “And what an amazing opportunity to bring something that’s so often only heard in concert halls into the communities. It adds cultural vibrancy.” Smith says the informal performances have the ability to remove common barriers associated with traditional concert venues and help people of all ages and backgrounds experience exceptional live music in an accessible way. “It can be a little challenging because of noise; they’re used to working in concert halls,” Smith said. “But [the performers] understand that it’s important they share their music with the world.” The concert series features internationally acclaimed pianists, emerging artists and local students, and was first held last summer. “Don’t you want to listen to live music at your lunch hour?” Smith said. ”That’s what we should all be doing every day, and I think people really enjoy it.” “It’s an opportunity for them to learn a little about who Honens is, because we’re a little bit of a hidden gem in the city.” Honens is a triennial International piano competition that’s considered one of the most prestigious events of its kind. In 1991, Esther Honens gave $5 million to endow the event so generations of Calgarians could enjoy musical excellence. Since its inception, the competition has cultivated piano artistry, supported remarkable young artists and inspired a richer understanding of the piano and its music. “Classical music has a little bit of a stigma around it; it can be a little cold and people might feel disconnected from it and might not come to the concert hall to experience it,” Smith said. “We want to break down those barriers. We want to help people experience classical music as they are, and realize that it connects us, it adds cultural vibrancy to our city, and they might discover that they really loved something they didn’t know anything about.” For more information, visit Honens.com.
