Laurier Music launches 2026-27 concert season, invites community to experience live music on campus

Aug. 19, 2026
For Immediate Release

WATERLOO — Wilfrid Laurier University’s Faculty of Music is inviting audiences from across Waterloo Region and beyond to experience a new season of live music with the launch of its 2026-27 concert calendar.

Building on the momentum of Laurier Music’s 50th anniversary, the new season brings together student musicians, faculty and internationally recognized guest artists for a year of performances spanning classical, jazz, contemporary music, opera, chamber music, global music and more.

From student recitals and free lunchtime concerts to large ensemble performances and special collaborations with renowned Canadian artists, the season offers opportunities for audiences of all ages to experience music at Laurier.

“At Laurier, performance is an essential part of how our students learn, grow and discover who they are as musicians,” said Jerzy Kaplanek, associate dean of performance in Laurier’s Faculty of Music. “When we welcome an audience into our concert halls, they become part of that experience. We hope our community will join us throughout the year, discover something new and support the incredible work happening on our stages.”

Students take centre stage

Laurier’s student musicians are at the heart of the 2026-27 season, with performances by the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, Jazz Orchestra, Concert Choir and Laurier Singers, VOX, chamber ensembles, student composers and more, alongside student recitals throughout the academic year.

Audiences will also experience two new Laurier ensembles this season: Stagecraft: Music Theatre, directed by Amanda Brunk, and Laurier’s Funk Ensemble, directed by Kelly Jefferson. The ensembles broaden the range of performance opportunities available to Laurier students and add more variety to the music audiences can experience on campus.

In February, Laurier Opera Theatre presents Love Stories: Denied, Discovered, Concealed, featuring works by Donizetti, Shelley Marwood and J. Strauss II, with four performances from Feb. 24 to 27.

The popular Music at Noon series also returns, offering free lunchtime concerts in the Maureen Forrester Recital Hall throughout the year. The series begins Sept. 11 with a Faculty Showcase and features Laurier faculty and guest musicians throughout the season.

Jully Black among artists coming to Laurier

The Laurier Guest Artist Series brings a lineup of acclaimed artists to Waterloo this season. Curated by Christine Vlajk of Laurier’s internationally renowned Penderecki String Quartet, the series creates opportunities for audiences to experience collaborations between visiting artists and musicians connected to Laurier.

A highlight comes Nov. 8 when Canadian music icon and Laurier Honorary Doctor of Music recipient Jully Black performs with the Penderecki String Quartet in the Theatre Auditorium.

The four-concert series begins Oct. 1 with the Oscar Peterson Centennial Project, featuring Mike McLean on drums, Robi Botos on piano and Mike Downes on bass. On Jan. 24, the Toronto Mass Choir, directed by Karen Burke, joins the Penderecki String Quartet. Pianists Anya Alexeyev and Dmitri Alexeev close the series April 11.

An invitation to the community

With a combination of free and ticketed events throughout the season, Laurier’s Faculty of Music is encouraging community members to make its concert halls a regular destination for live music.

Schools, music studios and community organizations are especially encouraged to attend as a group. The Faculty of Music can work with groups to co-ordinate bus drop-off, arrival times and ticket reservations and, when possible, enhance the experience with a campus tour, a question-and-answer session with Laurier students or faculty, or a behind-the-scenes look at Faculty of Music spaces.

Laurier Music’s 2026-27 concert season begins Sept. 11 and continues through April.

For the complete 2026-27 concert calendar, event details and ticket information, visit the Faculty of Music's Events web page.

Hard copies of the 2026-27 concert calendar are available upon request. Community members can also sign up to receive Laurier Music’s monthly newsletter for concert announcements, upcoming events and other Faculty of Music news. To request a concert calendar, join the newsletter or arrange a group visit, email concerts@wlu.ca.