Dear Friends, With wondrous anticipation we invite you to join us for Sonic Playground, Sound Atlas New Music Festival’s third annual Summer festival. A musical expedition for adventurous listeners, composers, and artists, Sonic Playground revels in a state of play where whimsy meets the unexpected in a veritable feast for curious ears and imagination!
Sonic Playground brings the best of contemporary art music to Calgary in June 2025 taking place at Calgary’s home for modern and contemporary art, Contemporary Calgary. This year we are delighted to feature the spirited genius of our featured Korean-American composer Juri Seo, a “modern original” whose music has been praised for its extraordinary charm and inventiveness. While we can’t reveal the all-star lineup of composers and festival artists just yet, you can expect a wondrous and eclectic experience in music and sound, featuring performances from Sound Atlas Festival’s host ensemble Latitude 49, local Calgary performers, and guests from across North America and beyond in a joyful explosion of friendship and creativity.We invite you to join our mailing list and be the first to receive important updates and announcements, explore, and come play with us this year in our Sonic Playground! Artistic Directors:Jani Parsons and Chris Sies
What is Sound Atlas Festival?
SAF is Calgary's landmark contemporary art music festival - an experimental adventure in sound taking place in Calgary each June. SAF offers composers, artists, and our treasured community an annual sonic Pilgrimage, exploring the best of today’s art music through world-class and unforgettable concert experiences. It is hosted by the powerhouse mixed chamber ensemble Latitude 49 in partnership with Contemporary Calgary, a vibrant destination dedicated to modern and contemporary art.
Our Mission?
Together, we seek to:
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Create a meeting place for creative minds including composers, acclaimed and emerging artists, and adventurous listeners
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Celebrate the creation and performance of remarkable new music by living composers
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Present a powerful journey of expression, moving freely to challenge, delight, and engage
What can I expect at the Sound Atlas Festival?
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Unforgettable performances by world-class artists and ensembles
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Brand new art music - most every concert features World or Canadian premieres of new works!
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Engaging experiences with the community of composers including an annual featured festival composer
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Multiple concerts featured on each day of the festival, as a feast for the ears!
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Plenty of time between concerts to grab a drink, mingle, and engage with a creatively inspired community
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Connections with emerging student fellows through the Contemporary Performance Lab
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An arts-forward experience that allows you to explore visual and sonic/performance arts in the various gallery spaces