Welcome to Calgary Performing Arts Festival (CPAF)

TAKE THE STAGE. BE HEARD.

Registrations will open Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023

A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

Calgary preforming arts sponsor logos, Calgary Foundation, St.John's Music, Yamaha, Calgary arts, Calgary Musicians association, cadme, Long & McQuade, Canadian College of Preforming Arts and Optimist International.

We’re excited to announce our 2024 Festival dates! Live performances will begin on April 15 and run until May 3, 2024.

We welcome our performing arts community to join us! At CPAF, our mission is to enrich our community by cultivating and celebrating aspiring performers. This is something we’ve been passionate about for the past 94 years.

Our premier event has allowed young Alberta artists to experience the richest musical experience at the early stages of their performing careers.

Solo, Ensemble, and Chamber performances across multi-disciplinary performing arts are eligible to participate in our music festival.

WHY GET INVOLVED?

The reasons you participate might be different than others

IF YOU’RE A PERFORMER

If you love to perform, being in front of an audience improves your confidence and comfort in front of a large group of people.

The training you receive is about more than just performing on a stage. It is also about a focus on work ethic, discipline, kindness, being positive, collaboration, community, and being confident in who you are. These are all transferable skills which will be useful wherever you go in life.

Receive empowering, in-person, impartial feedback from reputable adjudicators. These important recommendations allow you to play and compete at the next level.

Have the prestigious CPAF on your resumé.

Relationship-building: Meet others in the Alberta youth arts community and industry, and build your network.

IF YOU’RE A MUSIC TEACHER

This gives your students the critical experience of performing in front of other performers and receiving impartial feedback from reputable, international adjudicators.

This is a rare opportunity for your students to perform in a professional space, on a large stage. Taking this stage can inspire them to go further than even they imagined.

If your students plan to take exams to further their musical journey, this is a perfect opportunity to practice and receive feedback.

IF YOU’RE A PARENT

CPAF is a prestigious event with the opportunity to win up to $40,000 worth of scholarships.

It helps with goal-setting. With a performance date in mind, there is something to work towards. It’s not just more practice.

This isn’t just about playing an instrument; it’s about developing life skills: leadership, confidence, time management, etc.

Participants get critical, impartial feedback from reputable, international adjudicators.

THEIR STORY

“My most memorable moment with CPAF was when I was performing in a recital, and my piece did not go
as expected. I got nervous and completely forgot where I was in my piece! I very

Emily Black - Alumna- Piano Performance

“My most memorable moment with CPAF was when I was performing in a recital, and my piece did not go
as expected. I got nervous and completely forgot where I was in my piece! I very

Emily Black - Alumna- Piano Performance

“My most memorable moment with CPAF was when I was performing in a recital, and my piece did not go
as expected. I got nervous and completely forgot where I was in my piece! I very

Emily Black - Alumna- Piano Performance

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

In 1931, a small group of eager musicians decided to take their love of music to the next level by creating an event called The Calgary Music Festival.

The Festival began as a small competition but quickly grew so large that this small group of musicians approached the Kiwanis Clubs of Calgary to take ownership of the Festival, giving it the new title: The Calgary Kiwanis Festival.

Since then, the Festival has become one of Calgary’s greatest performing arts events and one of the largest amateur competitive festivals in North America. In 2014, the Calgary Kiwanis Festival underwent another name change and became The Calgary Performing Arts Festival.

948

Performances in 2023

$177K

Scholarships disbursed
since 2017

8255

Performance time
(in minutes) in 2023

STARS OF THE FESTIVAL GALA

Celebrating today’s aspiring talent and tomorrow’s future stars. Each year, CPAF culminates in an aspirational evening of celebration. Audience members are treated to the best performances across multiple performing arts from participants chosen throughout the annual Festival.

During this celebratory evening, the winner of the prestigious Rose Bowl is also declared. Presented to the performer who earned the highest aggregate score, the Rose Bowl is a sought-after award for excellence in the winner’s chosen discipline.

The Stars of the Festival Gala CPAF 2024 takes place on May 12, 2024 (Mother’s Day!)

What better way to show your mom you care than to treat her to an evening of music and festivity? Admission is free, with a donation at the door.

Former Winners of The Rose Bowl

HELP BUILD
THE NEXT
GENERATION
OF OUR
PERFORMING
ARTS
COMMUNITY

Your generous support will help us nurture a strong and vibrant performing arts scene. Art gives us meaning and helps us understand our world. Art appreciation improves our quality of life and makes us feel good. We elevate our mood, improve our ability to problem solve and open our minds to new ideas.

Funds raised each year allow opportunities for aspiring young performers through reputable, international adjudication, quality programming, and experiences that build performing arts in our community. For years to come.

As well, your donation helps young performers who may not otherwise be able to participate.

SCHOLARSHIPS

CPAF continues to develop our scholarship program to help Alberta’s most outstanding young artists achieve their performance goals. The festival is pleased to offer up to $40,000 in individual scholarships.

SCHOLARSHIP DONATIONS & CHARITABLE TAX RECEIPTS

Do you want to establish a scholarship in your name? Newly named scholarships require a minimum donation of $20,000.

CPAF is a registered charitable organization and official income tax receipts are issued for donations over $25.

CRA #129539235RR0001