Studio Bell

Studio Bell opened in 2016 as the home of the National Music Centre, in a building of nine curved towers clad in terracotta by Allied Works, wrapped around a preserved 1905 hotel. The collection runs to over two thousand instruments and artefacts, including rare synthesisers, a working Kimball theatre organ and the mobile recording studio the Rolling Stones used in the 1970s, which was shipped from Britain and reassembled. One of Elton John's pianos is in the collection too. Visitors can play many of the instruments, which is unusual for a collection of this value.

History

The collection began with the Carthy Organ installed in Calgary's Jack Singer Concert Hall in 1987, which led to an international organ festival and, in 1996, to the Chinook Keyboard Centre, later the Cantos Music Museum, which added electronic instruments from 2000. Cantos moved into the historic Customs House in 2003 and became the National Music Centre in February 2012; construction of its new building, designed by the Portland architect Brad Cloepfil, began on 22 February 2013, and Studio Bell opened on 1 July 2016 (Wikipedia, National Music Centre).

What's there

• The playable instruments - much of the collection is hands-on.
• The Rolling Stones mobile studio - the 1970s recording truck reassembled inside.
• Elton John's piano - one of his pianos in the collection.
• The Canadian halls of fame - country, songwriters and broadcast collections.

When to go

Year-round; it closes Mondays and Tuesdays in some seasons. Live performances and recording sessions run in the venue. Allow two to three hours for the five floors.

Practical notes

Ticket prices are high for the size. Not every instrument is playable and some rooms are behind glass. The collection is strong on Canadian music, which may be unfamiliar to visitors.

Nearby

Heritage Park lies southwest; the Calgary Tower is a short walk.