Laurier Faculty of Music to celebrate five decades with 50th Anniversary Gala Concerts

March 4, 2026
For Immediate Release

WATERLOO – Wilfrid Laurier University’s Faculty of Music invites the community to celebrate 50 years of musical excellence by attending its 50th Anniversary Gala Concerts, taking place March 21 and 22 in the Savvas Chamberlain Music Building on the university’s Waterloo campus. Tickets to both performances are now on sale.

Marking a landmark moment in the faculty’s history, the gala concerts will bring together Laurier’s outstanding large ensembles – including the Laurier Symphony, Wind and Jazz Orchestra, Laurier Singers and Concert Choir – for powerful and celebratory performances that honour five decades of artistry, innovation and community impact.

Under the direction of Laurier’s esteemed faculty conductors, the concerts will feature a thrilling and diverse program that showcases the breadth of the university’s music program and the exceptional talent of its students and faculty. A special highlight of the concerts will be a vibrant work by distinguished alum and Juno-nominated composer John Estacio (BMus ’89), one of Canada’s most frequently performed composers.

Audiences will also experience a performance by renowned tuba professor and Laurier musician-in-residence Jonathan Rowsell, as well as be invited to take part in a university tradition by learning and singing the Laurier Song together.

“This gala concert is a celebration of our past, present and future,” said Cynthia Johnston Turner, dean of Laurier’s Faculty of Music. “For 50 years, our faculty has nurtured generations of musicians, educators and creative leaders who have made a profound impact in Canada and around the world. These concerts bring our community together to honour that legacy and to share in the extraordinary music-making that defines Laurier.”

Held in the Savvas Chamberlain Music Building, home to Laurier’s performance and music learning spaces, the 50th Anniversary Gala Concerts promise an inspiring and unforgettable musical experience for all members of the Laurier and wider communities.

Join as the Faculty of Music celebrates its legacy, honours its community and marks an extraordinary milestone in Laurier’s musical history.

Event Details

50th Anniversary Gala Concerts – Laurier Faculty of Music

• Savvas Chamberlain Music Building: Concert begins at Maureen Forrester Recital Hall and moves to the Theatre Auditorium for the second half
• 75 University Ave. W., Waterloo
• Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.: Purchase Tickets
• Sunday, March 22, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.: Purchase Tickets