Canadian Music: Timeline
Year |
Event |
---|---|
1867 |
Confederation: Music-making in Canada started before Confederation. Early settlers brought their own traditions. Aboriginal peoples also performed music socially and ceremonially for centuries. |
1890 |
Canadian piano boom begins: Canadian pianos became popular because they were strong and could handle tough weather. |
1902 |
Oldest orchestra in Canada formed: The Société symphonique de Québec was the first orchestra in Canada. |
1918 |
Sir Ernest MacMillan earns Oxford doctorate while interned as prisoner of war: During WWI, he was a prisoner of war in Germany and still led music performances. |
1920 |
Robert Nathaniel Dett writes essay “The Emancipation of Negro Music”: A Canadian composer wrote a famous essay about African American music. |
1923 |
Toronto Symphony Orchestra forms: The Toronto Symphony Orchestra gave its first concert. |
1939 |
Claude Champagne returns to Montreal: A composer comes back to Montreal and teaches music. |
1945 |
Hugh Le Caine invents the “electronic sackbut”: A Canadian made the first voltage-controlled synthesizer. |
1960 |
The rise of Canadian female composers: Women composers became more important in Canada. |
1962 |
Oscar Peterson writes “Hymn To Freedom”: A song he wrote became important during the civil rights movement. |
1964 |
Buffy Sainte-Marie releases “Universal Soldier” |
1965 |
Anne of Green Gables–The Musical opens in PEI |
1968 |
Robert Charlebois releases “Lindberg” |
1970 |
Anne Murray’s “Snowbird” is certified gold by the RIAA |
1970 |
The Guess Who releases “American Woman” |
1971 |
R. Murray Schafer composes No Longer Than 10 Minutes |
1978 |
TSO becomes the first Canadian orchestra to tour China after the Cultural Revolution |
1979 |
National Film Board releases Log Driver’s Waltz |
1980 |
Healey Willan & Emma Albani become first Canadian musicians featured on a Canada Post stamp |
1980 |
“O Canada” becomes official national anthem |
1981 |
Rush releases Moving Pictures |
1983 |
The Tragically Hip forms in Kingston |
1984 |
Leonard Cohen releases “Hallelujah” |
1985 |
Angela Hewitt wins Toronto International Bach Competition |
1996 |
Canadian women dominate the GRAMMY® Awards |
1997 |
Lilith Fair goes on tour |
1999 |
Céline Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” wins two GRAMMY® Awards |
1999 |
Howard Cable appointed member of the Order of Canada |
2006 |
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts opens in Toronto |
2013 |
Mychael Danna wins an Oscar and Golden Globe for Life of Pi score |
2014 |
Tanya Tagaq wins the Polaris Music Prize |
2016 |
Yannick Nézet-Séguin named Music Director of the Metropolitan Opera |
2016 |
Drake releases his fourth studio album, Views |
2017 |
Canada Mosaic |
Canadian Music: From Folk Traditions to International Pop Stars
Canadian Music: Music in Canada reflects a blend of influences from Indigenous Peoples, Irish, British, and French cultures, as well as American influences due to proximity. America also influences Canadian music because they are close. Since the 1600s, Canada has had its composers and musicians. Different parts of Canada have their music scenes.
The Juno Awards and the Canadian Music Hall of Fame celebrate Canadian musicians. “O Canada” became Canada’s national anthem in 1980, but patriotic music in Canada has been around for over 200 years. Let us learn more!
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