On a sunny long weekend we had a family stay-cation, heading to the Telus Spark Science Center, the Calgary Zoo, and finishing with the National Music Center.
I was immediately drawn to the building with its nod to art deco architecture. This beautiful historic building houses some amazingly historic pieces of musical history.
There was also Accompanying the instruments was equally exciting (for me, anyways) vintage furniture. These chairs called for me to sit down.
The tour guide was very helpful in explaining how pianos worked, and how it influenced the design, size, shape, and sound of the different instruments. There were even some instruments that we were allowed to play!
I would say the most famous or well known resident of the Nation Music Center is this white piano used by Elton John to write his first four albums including the famous songs including “Your Song” and “Tiny Dancer”. “Original piano/Lots of success with it,” he signed. I bit more poetic, his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin signed it: “Within this piano lay the ghosts of 100 songs. Take care of them. They love you.”
As a piano player of many years, I loved being able to play so many different instruments and seeing the history and styles of pianos. I don’t think the guided tour held the attention of my 5 year old all that well, but it would be wonderful for school aged kids and kids who are into music, as they would enjoy playing the different choices.
The National Music Centre is located at:
134 11 Avenue SE
Calgary, AB T2G 0X5
Phone: (403) 543-5115
Fax: (403) 543-5129
email: info@nmc.ca
Website: https://www.nmc.ca/
Public tours are available Sundays at 1:30 and cost $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students. The first Thursday of each month is a free tour, starting at 6pm. You can also request a private tour.
Disclosure: I am part of the Calgary Hotel Association Blogger Campaign and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this campaign. The opinions on this blog are my own.
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