Featured Photo by David Beale on Unsplash
A Unique Centre Showcasing Music
The Studio Bell, located in downtown Calgary, opened in 2016. It is a massive museum showcasing the National Music Centre’s collections of rare instruments and artifacts, including various Canadian musical artists’ stories of their careers. It truly offers a modern feel for everyone passionate or interested in Canadian musical and cultural heritage.
The National Music Centre (NMC) has a long history of collecting musical artifacts, especially keyboard, electronic, and sound equipment. According to the NMC, their “four pillars” of purpose are, exhibitions, artist development, performance, and education. In fact, one can book to experience live performances in the Studio Bell building, including musical pieces performed by artists with various instruments. Visitors can also learn more about music, through the “diverse range of inclusive and collaborative learning opportunities,” such as certain modules on the history of Canadian musical groups, as well as how the sound acoustics affect one’s perception of music or their emotional health.
Exhibitions
However, Studio Bell is still largely known for its exhibitions, such as the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. This exhibition features the tributes and musical artifacts of many well-known artists, ranging across a long historical period, from Oscar Peterson’s generation to even Nickelback (which was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame just last year).
Located on the fifth floor of the building, the Hall of Fame recognizes Canadian artists who “have attained commercial success while making a positive impact on the music scene in Canada and beyond.” On the fourth floor, we also have the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, dedicated to a more specific musical genre. Additionally, we have the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the ADISQ (French: Association québécoise de l’industrie du disque, du spectacle et de la video; English: Québec Association for the Recording, Concert and Video Industries) Hall of Fame, which “promotes the development of the music industry in the province of Quebec and recognizes the achievements of Quebecois musicians.
My Experience
I visited the Studio Bell personally last spring, and the experience left me with sharp memories that I still look back to even today. As I visited the Studio Bell with a few friends, we had a good time trying out the section designed for kids and adolescents, for example. Specifically, there was a room for visitors to create drums, and even guitar strings, from the materials provided. Also, there was wonderful and uplifting music playing throughout many of the exhibitions, helping each of us relax right before a critical exam season. Generally, the Studio Bell costs approximately twenty dollars to explore, but my friends and I certainly had some of the best times we could expect in a museum!
The wonderful thing about Studio Bell is that it is also relatively quiet and not crowded, allowing us to relax and stroll (without any rush) onto each floor, to discover more about Canadian music history. We listened to various songs and observed technicians unboxing antique music equipment, such as drums, guitars, and sound boxes. The overall atmosphere was extremely calm and chill, and the employees were also friendly and approachable. Definitely, I would say it was a worthwhile experience!
Conclusion
Whether you are a youth who is extremely interested in rock-n-roll music, or a senior who wishes to relax pleasingly, I believe that Calgary’s Studio Bell is for you! The Studio Bell is truly a unique museum, with many different features, all in a building with a modern design. If you would like any more information, you could also check their website here. Have fun exploring all the music and fun!