Tommy Banks Campus

Tommy Banks believed that music has the power to change lives. We at the Winspear Centre and ESO believe this too. The Tommy Banks Campus builds upon Tommy’s legacy and our reputation for innovative educational programs to offer deeper access to musical discovery for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Through a range of immersive programs, the Tommy Banks Campus encourages people from all walks of life to discover the joy of musical exploration, creation, and connection. From school field trips and summer camps, to Music Box Babies and concerts for toddlers, to a range of adult classes and workshops, all members of Edmonton’s diverse public have the opportunity to immerse themselves in music – as spectators, as apprentices, as creators.

Tommy Banks Campus delivers revolutionary musical arts enrichment programs that act as catalysts for musical discovery and exploration, so that current and future generations can experience the transformative power of music on a personal level.

The Legacy of the Conservatory of Music

Since its humble beginnings in 1903 as the music department of Alberta College, the Conservatory of Music has existed as one of Canada’s largest music schools for much of its history.

Vernon Barford was the first music teacher at the Conservatory of Music in Edmonton. By 1913, full courses in instruments and voice were offered, and by 1920, an orchestral program existed. The Conservatory of Music continued to grow and by the 1970’s, over 50 teachers provided instruction in various musical disciplines. A range of programs were introduced for a diverse range of learners, and masterclasses and workshops were presented in collaboration with the University of Alberta and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.

In 2002, the Alberta College integrated with Grant MacEwan University where the Conservatory of Music operated for 23 years at the Alberta College campus. In 2025, the Conservatory was in search of a new home, and the Winspear Centre opened its doors for the Conservatory’s programs, instructors, and students.

The Winspear is proud to be the Conservatory’s newest home, and to continue supporting the exceptional music education that has been the Conservatory’s legacy for over 120 years.