Aug. 27, 2025
For Immediate Release

WATERLOO — In its 2025-26 concert season, Wilfrid Laurier University’s Faculty of Music will celebrate a milestone of 50 years of music at Laurier. The season will feature a 50th anniversary gala concert with multiple student ensembles; the Laurier Guest Artist Series curated by the internationally acclaimed Penderecki String Quartet (PSQ); the much-loved, free Music at Noon concert series; and performances by Laurier’s outstanding student ensembles. Details and tickets are available at wlu.ca/music/events. Performances take place on Laurier’s Waterloo campus, and many are free to attend.

“For 50 years, Laurier’s Faculty of Music has shaped and enriched our community’s cultural landscape, serving as a place of creative possibility for generations of students and faculty,” said President and Vice-Chancellor Deborah MacLatchy. “From world-class performers to groundbreaking scholars and educators, the Faculty of Music’s half-century of excellence reflects Laurier’s commitment to creativity, collaboration and impact. As we celebrate this milestone, we also look ahead with excitement to the future contributions our faculty and students will make.”

Concert season highlights

50th Anniversary Gala Concert

Two performances featuring multiple student ensembles:

• March 21, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
• March 22, 2026, 3 p.m.

Laurier Guest Artist Series

• Oct. 2, 2025: Caity Gyorgy Trio with the Penderecki String Quartet
• Jan. 29, 2026: Gryphon Piano Trio and Nordic Voices
• March 15, 2026: Pentaèdre Wind Quintet, Penderecki String Quartet and Friends — Mahler’s Symphony No. 4

Music at Noon Concert Series

Fridays at noon in the Maureen Forrester Recital Hall. Free and open to the public. Performances run from September 2025 to March 2026 and feature guest artists including Carol Ann Weaver, Ben Bolt-Martin, Adrean Farrugia, Julie Lumsden, Jonathan Rowsell, Kimberly Barber, Katherine Dowling, Diar Band and Daniel Ramjattan.

Student ensembles: Waterloo’s best-kept secret

A cornerstone of Laurier’s concert season is the extraordinary musicianship of its student ensembles, including the Laurier Symphony Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, Choirs, Jazz Orchestra, Opera and Contemporary Music groups. Often called Waterloo’s best-kept secret, these performances showcase the next generation of musical talent in programs ranging from timeless classics to bold new works. “For half a century, our stages, classrooms, rehearsal spaces, labs and practice rooms have been home to extraordinary performances, passionate teaching and creative, bold artistic exploration and research,” said Cynthia Johnston Turner, dean of the Faculty of Music. “This year we honour our legacy with pride and gratitude while looking forward with excitement. Whether you are joining us for the first time or have been part of our remarkable journey for decades, we thank you for being with us. We can’t wait to share more music with you.”

Tickets and information

Details on ticket reservations, performance times and full artist lineups are available at wlu.ca/music/events. Many performances, including the Music at Noon series, are free to attend.