Heroes aren't always caped, celebrated, or larger than life. Sometimes they are people who take risks, stand up for others, make sacrifices, or simply give us the courage to keep going.
On October 17 and 18, the Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra (RMSO) presents Heroes & Heroines, a programme that explores the many ways heroism can take shape. Conducted by Gareth Jones, the concert brings together bold fanfares, cinematic heroes, and the sweeping power of the symphonic repertoire in music filled with courage, resilience, and triumph.
Music with a Story
Each work on the Heroes & Heroines programme offers a different perspective on courage and the people who inspire us.
The concert opens with Joan Tower's Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman, a bold work inspired by Aaron Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man. Tower turns the traditional idea of the heroic figure on its head, celebrating women who are adventurous, courageous, and willing to take risks.
Then comes one of the most recognizable musical heroes of all: John Williams' Superman. With its soaring melodies and unmistakable sense of grandeur, the music has become inseparable from the iconic superhero.
Beethoven's Egmont Overture brings a very different kind of hero to the programme. It is inspired by Goethe's play about Count Egmont, a Flemish nobleman who resists Spanish rule and ultimately sacrifices his life for freedom. Beethoven's dramatic music captures that struggle, moving from darkness and tension to a powerful, triumphant conclusion.
Sibelius' Symphony No. 2 offers another perspective: the heroism of a people. Its powerful and hopeful music resonated deeply with Finnish audiences during a period of Russian rule and became closely associated with Finnish national identity. Rather than telling the story of one individual, the symphony evokes a broader sense of struggle, resilience, and hope.
Together, these works take listeners on a journey through very different ideas of heroism — from the extraordinary individual to the collective strength of a people.
Live Music, Close to Home
For RMSO, bringing this music to communities outside Calgary is an important part of the orchestra's mission.
"We're proud to bring professional orchestral music to communities close to home," says Donna Finley, Chair of the RMSO Board. "Our performances in Airdrie and Okotoks give local audiences the opportunity to experience the energy and excitement of a live orchestra right in their own communities."
The orchestra's regional concerts are designed to make professional orchestral music accessible to a broad range of audiences, with affordable tickets, family-friendly programming, and performances in communities close to home.
Whether it's the unmistakable sound of Superman, the boldness of Tower's uncommon woman, or the sweeping power of Sibelius' Second Symphony, Heroes & Heroines offers audiences the opportunity to experience these works live, together, and in the room with a full orchestra.
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