Home to the Pacific Baroque Orchestra, Early Music Vancouver (EMV) is a non-profit performing arts organization specializing in classical music from yesteryear.

Part of the local music scene for over 50 years, Early Music Vancouver hosts concerts that showcase music from the Medieval to Baroque periods as well as from the 19th Century. At its concerts, you can expect to hear music originating from between 500 AD and the 21st Century, including lots from between the 1500s and 1800s. The concerts are beautiful, entertaining and educational.

Early Music Vancouver has concerts at various times throughout the year. It also hosts the EMV Summer Festival in late July and early August as well as a Festive Cantatas concert in December during the Christmas season.

To learn more about the concerts and the organization behind them, either keep reading or visit the earlymusic.bc.ca website.

Early Music Vancouver Concert Series

Early Music Vancouver had its first season back in 1970. Since then it has provided regular concerts with between one and three dozen or so per year.

The term “early music” generally refers to classical music from between around 500 and 1800 AD. Much of the music performed at EMV concerts is European in origin. Some, though, is from other cultures, including from Asia and the Middle East.

Celebrating its 56th season in 2026, Early Music Vancouver showcases classical music from around the world from between 100 and 1,500 years ago. Musicians in its concerts often play the same types of instruments used when the music was first composed, including restored fortepianos. It’s like going back in time to hear music as it was originally played!

EMV concerts take place throughout the year, from January until December. Performances often include pre-concert talks, or commentary by the conductor after specific pieces, so you can learn about the music as well as enjoy it.

The main season each year runs from September until April or May. There are concerts in the summer too, though, including the Early Music Vancouver Summer Festival (which years ago used to be called the Vancouver Bach Festival).

Early Music Vancouver uses a number of venues throughout the city for its performances. They include the Chan Centre at UBC, the Orpheum, the Kay Meek Centre, Christ Church Cathedral and other prestigious places.

Visit earlymusic.bc.ca for full details about the organization and its concerts.

Alexander Weimann (by Collide Entertainment) — A. Weimann (Photo by Collide Entertainment)

EMV 2026-27 Main Season Schedule

The EMV 2026-27 season officially kicks off in mid-September and runs until the end of April. Below is a list of the concerts happening this season.

Prior to the fall, there’s the EMV Summer Festival which features close to a dozen concerts between July 31st and August 7th. For details on those shows, click Early Music Vancouver Summer Festival.

Below is the schedule for Early Music Vancouver’s main concerts during the 2026/2027 season with links to each of its concerts.