In early 2005, President and master luthier Christopher Sandvoss approached the players and Board of Directors of the Land's End Chamber Society of Calgary with an idea concerning Alberta's Centennial. Part of the Land's End mandate is to perform works by contemporary Alberta composers. As such, we have our finger on the pulse of new music in Alberta, making us ideal spokespersons for composers and musicians who write and perform new music of today. Chris suggested that we broaden that mandate, in celebration of the Alberta Centennial, and dedicate our 2005-2006 season to exploring music from the early days of the province.

The idea gained momentum, and soon the project expanded to include works by composers from the last 107 years in Alberta and Saskatchewan, with a Centennial CD, tour, and educational package for schools and libraries in both provinces. Land's End has commissioned two new compositions for this CD, one by Shane Fage of Calgary and the other by Neil Currie of Saskatoon. This project would not have been possible without the research and dedication of Kat Hammer, the tireless efforts of Past President Paul Fielding, the amazing energy and musicianship of John Lowry, and the vital contribution of board member Angela Kempf. We are grateful to Canadian Heritage, Alberta Lottery Fund, Canada Council, and Calgary Regional Arts Foundation for providing the funding for this venture. Sarah Sandham has coordinated the marshalling of resources for the CD and the tour.

We know you will enjoy this musical portrait of the first 100 years of music composed in Alberta and Saskatchewan. We hope this music will inspire you to go to a new music concert in your community, and support the incredibly talented composers who live and work in Alberta and Saskatchewan today.

Dr. Mark Hopkins
Artistic Adviser/Conductor