Upcoming Concerts
BLUE
April 12 2026
Maurice Ravel Bolero
Claude Debussy Fantasy for piano and orchestra
feat. Magdalena von Eccher, piano
George Gershwin An American in Paris
Omar Thomas Come Sunday
The season closes with a program of unbridled joy, centered in the rhythms and character of jazz, pop, and gospel music. Tracing a remarkable musical evolution from the late 19th to the 20th century, Blue connects Ravel’s mesmerizing Boléro to Omar Thomas’ exuberant 2018 work Come Sunday, celebrating new sounds and cultural voices in classical music. PEI’s own Magdalena von Eccher performs Debussy’s seldom-heard Fantaisie for Piano and Orchestra, while Gershwin’s An American in Paris—inspired by Ravel and reimagined here as perhaps a Canadian in Paris—anchors the concert with the vibrant, cosmopolitan energy of 1920s Paris.
Once Upon A Score:
The Music of Hollywood
May 3 2026
PEI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA & CONFEDERATION CENTRE OF THE ARTS PRESENTS
With support from The Accelerando Classical Music Performance Fund
What makes a great story—and what does it sound like?
Once Upon a Score is a witty, heartfelt symphonic experience that blurs the line between concert and theatre. Set in a bustling café, the performance follows a down-on-his-luck screenwriter who reunites with an old friend—sparking a whirlwind conversation about story arcs, artistic purpose, and the blockbuster tales that have shaped our culture. As their banter unfolds, a full orchestra brings their imagination to life with music from some of Hollywood’s most beloved scores.
Created by Jaelem Bhate, award-winning conductor-composer and Music Director of the PEI Symphony Orchestra, this genre-bending production features iconic themes from Harry Potter, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, Titanic, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Avengers, and more. Each musical moment becomes part of the narrative itself—underscoring the emotional arc, adding punchlines, and stirring the soul.
Smart, funny, and surprisingly moving, Once Upon a Score is a celebration of cinema, creativity, and the universal power of storytelling. Whether you’re a film buff, music lover, or just someone who’s ever wrestled with their own creative voice, this unique concert-theatre hybrid will leave you laughing, reflecting— and maybe even inspired to write your own next chapter.
This performance is a co-production and not eligible for a Money-Back Guarantee (but we’re sure you’ll love it).