It's World Piano Day! Celebrate 325 years of piano history with Honens and enjoy performances from the next generation of musicians, featuring iconic instruments from the National Music Centre’s collection in the new Piano 325 exhibition.
The 88th day of the year calls for celebration!
This year, we're joining the global celebration of Piano Day with a series of inspiring performances from Calgary's next generation of musicians. This event showcases the piano's ability to connect, inspire, and transform public spaces into stages for shared musical experiences.
On March 29, Honens is proud to present students from the University of Calgary's School of Creative & Performing Arts, Mount Royal University Conservatory, the Alberta Registered Music Teachers’ Association (ARMTA), and their very own Keys for Newcomers program.
About Honens
Honens, home of Canada’s international piano competition, fosters the art of piano performance, identifies and supports outstanding young artists, and sparks and enhances appreciation and understanding of the piano and piano music.
Esther Honens created a legacy of musical excellence to be enjoyed for generations. In 1991, Mrs. Honens gave $5 million to endow an international piano competition in her hometown of Calgary, Canada. Today, the triennial Honens International Piano Competition is considered one of the world’s most prestigious events of its kind. Honens prepares its Laureates, who embody the philosophy of the Complete Artist, for professional careers in music, through a comprehensive and customizable three-year artistic development and career accelerator program which creates opportunities for exposure and holistic growth. Driven by its commitment to responsibility to competitors, the community, and the art music ecosphere, Honens provides a runway for Laureates to set themselves apart from other artists as skilled performers who are also leaders, educators, advocates, and citizen artists.
The annual Honens Festival as well as community events and initiatives are intended to share Mrs. Honens’ love of world-renowned music, and provide every Calgarian access to barrier free, enriching musical experiences. Her generosity, vision, and love of music continue to touch the lives of musicians and music-lovers at home and around the world.
Honens Legacy Partners support the ongoing growth and development of Esther Honens’ vision by securing the organization’s future. The Legacy Partners Endowment Fund enables Honens to provide wide-reaching programming through its annual festival and other enriching community education and outreach initiatives.
About Piano 325
Piano 325 is a new National Music Centre exhibition celebrating the 325th anniversary of the piano, opening in time for World Piano Day on March 29.
Over three centuries, the piano — shaped by the innovations of countless builders and manufacturers — has remained one of the most important and versatile instruments in music, influencing nearly every genre and artists from Beethoven to Elton John.
Piano 325 spotlights the stories of the builders and manufacturers who played key roles in the instrument’s evolution and lasting impact on music. The exhibition will feature renowned names like Broadwood & Sons, Erard, Heintzman & Co., and Steinway & Sons, alongside lesser-known pioneers like Johannes Zumpe. A rotating selection of rare and historic instruments from NMC’s collection will also be showcased, including an 1899 Broadwood grand piano.