FR
OLYMPIC SYMPHONY
Start
Design: Marie-Claude Codsi
OlympiC symphonY
The Artists
The repertoire
Spotlight on the Olympic Games
Games and activities
Sports and music
Illustration: Mathilde Filippi
A look back at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Montreal Summer Olympic Games.
The Emblem
Amik, the Mascot
The Medals
The Torch
Highlight
The Olympic Stadium
Spotlight on the Olympic Games
Did you know...
The Rings
Olympic Anthem
Pierre de Coubertin
Citius, Altius, Fortius – Communiter
Paralympic Games
Arts and the Olympic Games
The Olympic Motto
The Artists
Actor
Emma Bao Linh
Conductor
Adam Johnson
Flute (soloist)
Christopher James
Actor
Gabriel Proulx-Duguay
Actor
Maxime de Munck
Athor and stage manager
Louis-François Grenier
Assistant stage manager
Martin Gougeon
Location:Maison symphonique de Montréal
The Maison symphonique de Montréal
The OSM’s home is the Maison symphonique, which was inaugurated on September 7, 2011, with a concert conducted by Kent Nagano. The hall has several unique features that make it one of a kind.
The repertoire
Millions of people cheer on athletes from around the world during the Olympic Games. During this concert, you will be able to feel the fervor of an anthem, and the importance of rhythm and breathing. Discover here the 8 works you will be able to hear.
Chariots of Fire Vangelis
This music was composed for the film Chariots of Fire in 1981. The film is based on the story of two English athletes who take part in the 1924 Paris Olympic Games. The film’s theme, which notably uses a synthesizer, quickly became popular and became synonymous with the Olympic Games and inspiring moments. The composer also won the Oscar for the film’s music thanks to its originality.
Listen to the Piece
Olympic Fanfare and ThemeJohn Williams
The work was commissioned for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. John Williams wanted the piece to be a musical representation of "the spirit of cooperation, of heroic achievement, all the striving and preparation that go before the events and all the applause that comes after them." Note that a fanfare is generally a short, dynamic piece of music featuring the brass family, announcing someone or something important.
Listen to the piece
Divertimento no. 1 for Solo Flute and String OrchestraJohn Weinzweig
John Weinzweig won the silver medal for this work in the chamber music category during the art competitions at the 1948 London Summer Olympic Games, the highest distinction awarded that year (no gold medal was given). Weinzweig is one of only two Canadians ever to have won a medal in the Olympic art competitions.
Listen to the piece
Ô CanadaCalixa Lavallée
O Canada was composed by Calixa Lavallée in 1880 with lyrics by Adolphe-Basile Routhier. The first performance of the piece took place on Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day of the same year at the Skaters’ Pavilion in Quebec during a reception. O Canada officially became Canada’s national anthem in 1967, following the approval of a committee composed of members of the Senate and the House of Commons. This was later confirmed by the National Anthem Act in 1980.
Listen to the piece
United Anthems Maxime Goulet
Commissioned to highlight the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation, the piece begins, of course, with Canada’s national anthem. Next, we hear the anthems of France and the United Kingdom, then that of the United States . The piece goes on to pay homage to many nations that contributed to the founding of Canada, particularly Scotland and Ireland. It’s a total of 35 excerpts from different anthems that you will hear.
Listen to the piece
Symphony no. 9, « The New World» : IV. Allegro con fuocoAntonín Dvořák
The New World Symphony was composed in 1893, while Dvořák was the director of the National Conservatory of Music in New York. It is one of his best-known works. In this movement, listen to how Dvořák uses the different families of instruments to create tension and captivate the audience.
Listen to the piece
Symphony no. 9 (excerpts) Ludwig van Beethoven
Beethoven’s Symphony no. 9, with its famous Ode to Joy, is probably one of the most performed and beloved classical works in the world. In 1971, it became the official anthem of the European Union. Interestingly, this symphony was the first to use a choir in its final movement. It was composed toward the end of Beethoven’s life, when he was almost completely deaf.
Listen to the piece
Guillaume Tell : Overture (excerpt) Gioachino Rossini
The overture you are about to hear is from his final opera: William Tell.This opera, told in French, follows the story of the Swiss hero William Tell, who inspires his people to rebel against the Austrian governor Gessler. Forced to shoot an arrow at an apple placed on his son’s head for defying authority, William Tell succeeds and then manages to escape in order to kill Gessler. His act sparks a Swiss uprising that leads to the liberation of the country.
Listen to the piece
SPORTS And MUSICUNITE
Team Spirit vs Soloists
MusicalSports
The OSM in the world of sports
MUSICAL SPORTS
Artistic swimming
Formerly known as synchronized swimming, artistic swimming is a team sport combining the disciplines of swimming, gymnastics and dance. Music plays an important role, as a team's choreography is based on it. Competitions are held in solo, duo, 8-person or 10-person teams.
In video
Musical SPORTS
Figure skating
There are 4 figure skating disciplines: singles, pairs, ice dancing and synchronized skating. Music plays an important role in all 4 disciplines, accompanying the skaters in their choreography. The music is chosen by the skaters in consultation with their coaches. They may hear this music for over 6-12 months during their training and competitions, so it's important that they like it!
In vidEo
Musical sports
Artistic Gymnastics
During artistic gymnastics competitions, gymnasts must take part in various events, including a floor routine. For this floor routine, female gymnasts must perform a series of choreographed movements to music in under 90 seconds. The whole routine must be performed in a confined space of 12 square meters. This event showcases the gymnasts' power, technique and artistic talent.
In vidEo
Team Spirit
Just as in a sports team, OSM musicians need team spirit to play the symphonic repertoire together. Although musicians don't play offense or defense, they are also part of sub-groups. An orchestra is made up of 4 families of instruments, each with its own position and role on stage.
Strings
Percussions
Woodwinds
Brass
Soloist
You may know that some sports are considered as individual sports, such as tennis, swimming and judo. Musicians can also decide to play solo and perform as soloists in concerts and even take part in competitions. Every year, the OSM organizes its own competition for young Canadian artists. Created in 1940, the OSM Competition is open to all orchestral families and to singers, on a rotating basis.
The OSM in the world of sports
Games and activities
Challenge!
Try to guess which anthem is being played in less than 15 seconds
Musicolympic Quiz
It’s time to test your symphonic Olympic knowledge!
École en réseau Workshop
Take part in a pre-concert workshop (in French only)
Visual GuideYouth Concert
Use this guide to prepare for your concert, step by step, with pictures and sounds.
École en réseau WOrkshop
Come discover the fascinating profession of conductor with Maestro Adam Johnson, conductor for the Olympic Symphony school matinees (in French only). Date: 20th of January 2026, 9.30am
To sign up for the virtual workshop!
Here we see Rafael Payare conducting a short excerpt during the OSM’s Virée classique.Credit: André Robitaille
01:00
Challenge Which anthem is it?
Try to guess which anthem is being played in less than 15 seconds! Will you be able to guess them all?”
Start
00:15
01/10
02/10
03/10
04/10
05/10
06/10
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08/10
09/10
10/10
Thank you for playing!
MusicOLYMPIC Quiz
START
Question 1/5
Which composer won an olympic medal for his music?
John Williams
Maxime Goulet
John Weinzweig
Question 2/5
What is the Olympic Games' motto?
Citius, altius, fortius - communiter
Altius, maximus fortius!
Sibelius maximus
Question 3/5
I am a musical sport!
Volleyball
Alpine skiing
Artistic swimming
Question 4/5
The OSM took part in a concert celebrating this team's 100th anniversary!
The Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Expos
Question 5/5
Canada's national anthem was composed in which province?
Ontario
Quebec
Manitoba
"Citius, altius, fortius - communiter"
BONUS
You've COMPLETED the musicolympic quiz!
WRONG ANSWER
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10
PIECES OF MUSIC INSPIRED BY
sportS
Rugby
Citius, Altius, Fortius!
Ping Pong Concerto
Concerto for Football and Orchestra
Boxe boxe
We are the champions
Les Expos sont là
Take me out to the ball game
Maurice Richard
Le but
Do you notice how the musical theme from John Williams’ Jaws is noticeably inspired by the very first notes of the 4th movement?
Pierre de Coubertin
Baron Pierre de Coubertin was born on January 1, 1863, into a French aristocratic family. He embarked on a quest to provide French children with what young English students already enjoyed—that is, sports as part of their schooling. In 1889, during the Paris Exposition Universelle, he organized the First Congress on Physical Exercises and School Competitions. Five years later, on June 23, 1894, in the great amphitheater of the Sorbonne, 2,000 people rose spontaneously to acclaim his proposal to revive the Olympic Games.”
1896
The Olympic Games of the modern era are being celebrated for the first time on their land of origin, Greece. They bring together athletes from 14 countries; the largest delegations come from Greece, Germany, France, and Great Britain.
Source: International Olympic Committee
Did you know...
what's the difference between the 4 disciplines? Ice dancing is performed in duets. In this discipline, skaters don't do jumps (like the triple axel), but they can do lifts. Conversely, singles and pairs skating must include jumps. Synchronized skating is performed in groups of 8 to 16 people.
The octobass is the largest and lowest-pitched string instrument, so big that its notes are on the very edge of what the human ear can perceive. Standing 3.6 metres tall and weighing 290 pounds, it requires the musician to use a small step stool and a system of levers and pedals (or a keyboard, depending on the instrument) to play it. The OSM is the only orchestra in the world that owns three of these rare instruments.
All potential noise sources in the building—like the heating systems, elevators, and even the restrooms—were specially designed to prevent sound propagation and ensure a quiet environment.
On the occasion of La Victoire’s home opener on November 25, 2025, musicians from the OSM performed the national anthem.
Did you know...
From the ancient Greek Games to the modern Olympic Games, music has always held an important place. From 1912 to 1948, athletes didn’t only win medals by running or jumping… they could also win by creating music. To compete, composers had to write pieces that were about sport or the Olympic spirit. These musical events have since disappeared, but they left the idea that at the Olympic Games, it’s not just sport that matters, but also creativity and music, which bring people from all over the world together.
Artistic Competitions
Five artistic disciplines were represented at the Olympic Games: architecture, sculpture, painting, literature, and music. Two Canadians won a medal: John Weinzweig (music) and Robert Tait McKenzie (sculpture).
The meeting
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Montreal Canadiens, the CH organized a big event at the Bell Centre on April 2, 2009. The OSM accompanied the artists throughout the evening.
of the century
The OSM closed the show with Beethoven's Ode to Joy, featuring over 1000 choristers and 4 international soloists: Measha Brueggergosman, Susan Platts, Gordon Gietz and John Relyea.
The Brass
family!
The brass family includes horns, trumpets, trombones and tuba. These instruments are placed at the back of the orchestra, as they are louder than the strings and woodwinds. Like the woodwinds and the strings, the brass instruments are placed in order of register, with the highest pitched instruments placed on the left and the lowest pitched instruments on the right. Listen to Pierre Beaudry talk about the brass family:
Watch Simone Biles' performance at the 2016 Rio Olympics here.
Free grand concert at the Olympic Park’s Esplanade
Every summer since its first edition in 2012, the OSM has hosted a free concert at the Olympic Park’s Esplanade. These concerts are a wonderful tradition that draws thousands of spectators, filling an iconic Montreal landmark with the power of music.
BIOGRAPHY
Antonín Dvořák
1841-1904
Dvořák is one of the best-known Czech composers. His use of elements from Slavic folk songs, combined with grand orchestration, made him a sensation in his time. His music is also often used as inspiration for film scores and television commercials.
The Woodwind
family!
The woodwind family includes flutes, clarinets, oboes and bassoons. These instruments are placed in the center of the orchestra. Like the strings, the instruments are placed in order of register, with the highest pitched instruments placed to the left of the section and the lowest pitched instruments to the right. The woodwinds are placed in front of the brass and percussion instruments, as they are less sonorous than the latter. Listen to Mathieu Harel talk about the woodwind family:
Symphonic Crossing
Do you know Mylène Paquette? This Quebecker rowed solo across the Atlantic Ocean from Canada to France in 129 days! The OSM was inspired by her story for a concert. You can watch the report (in French) here:
This music was comically used during the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games, with help from the London Symphony Orchestra and the character Mr. Bean.
The Emblem
It is made up of the Olympic rings mounted on an Olympic podium, which is also the graphic interpretation of the letter M, the initial of Montreal. In the centre, the athletics track, the focal point of the Games.This emblem invokes the universal fraternity offered by the Olympic Ideal, as well as the glory of the winners, the gallant spirit of their battles and the accession of Montreal to the rank of Olympic city.
Source: International Olympic Committee
Adam Johnson
Conductor
The conductor is the person who stands in front of the musicians, with their back to the audience. One of their tasks is to indicate to the instrumentalists when to start and stop playing, when to play louder or softer (dynamics), and when to play faster or slower (tempo).
OSM Classical Flight
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the OSM organized an outdoor concert at Montréal-Trudeau airport for 400 motorists, 2 years in a row.
Watch a documentary (in French) on the first edition of the event here:
Mikaël Kingsbury, freestyle skier and World Cup podium record-holder, hosted the second edition of this event on June 5, 2021.
Listen to Mikaël Kinsbury talk about the links between music and sports with OSM musician André Moisan in this video (in French):
The Olympic Stadium
Designed by French architect Roger Taillibert, the Olympic Stadium—with its tower—is the tallest inclined structure in the world! Construction of the stadium began in 1973. Unfortunately, due to a series of problems, the tower could not be completed in time for the start of the Games. After the Olympic Games, the stadium became the home of the Expos, Montreal’s baseball team, from 1977 until they left the city in 2004.
Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony of the Montreal Games took place on July 17, 1976, before more than 73,000 spectators. It began with the arrival of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by Prince Philip, the IOC President, Lord Killanin, and the Games Commissioner, Roger Rousseau.
Did you know...
Rossini didn’t just create music; he also loved cooking! He is credited with inventing the Tournedos Rossini!
With its prominent position in the hall, the Grand Orgue Pierre-Béique takes full advantage of the exceptional acoustics. This incredible instrument boasts 109 stops, 83 ranks, and 6,489 pipes to create its rich, powerful sound.
The 2025 edition of the Competition crowned Gabrielle Turgeon, soprano, as the winner. You can watch the final round here, where the three finalists performed with the orchestra.
Celebrating 10 years!
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Expos (Montreal's former baseball team), the OSM organized an event. And surprise! Youppi, who at the time was the Expos mascot, tried to conduct the OSM. You can watch an excerpt here!
Maxime de Munck
Actor
The concert you are going to see is a theatrical concert. There will be music, performed by the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, but there will also be actors on stage who will tell a story. Maxime de Munck plays the role of Pierre de Coubertin.
Dans cette vidéo, tu pourras regarder John Williams diriger lui-même la pièce qu'il a composée!
BIOGRAPHY
JOHN WILLIAMS
born in 1932
John Williams is an American composer and conductor born in 1932. He is known for his film scores, such as Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, Jaws, Harry Potter, E.T., and Schindler’s List. He has won 5 Oscars to date.
BiographY
Maxime Goulet
born in 1980
Fascinated and inspired by the connections between different forms of artistic expression, the Montreal composer Maxime Goulet (born in 1980) works in many areas of musical creation, from opera to video games… even going so far as to set the flavors of chocolate to music!
Hockey Legends
For this February 2008 concert, the OSM paid tribute to field hockey legends such as Yvan Cournoyer, Réjean Houle, Guy Lafleur and Pierre Émile Bouchard (pictured). For this concert, the OSM commissioned a new work entitled Les Glorieux, by composer François Dompierre and author Georges-Hébert Germain.
©Allen MacInnis
Did you know...
While female gymnasts perform their floor exercises to music, male gymnasts do so without music! This decision was taken many years ago. The women's discipline must emphasize beauty, elegance and flexibility, while the men's discipline must emphasize power and strength.
Invited by the Alouettes, the OSM presented a concert at Percival-Molson Stadium on June 17, 2006 to raise funds for the Fondation Réussite Jeunesse and Garde-Manger Pour Tous.
To ensure perfect acoustics, the hall is encased in a structural shell that insulates it from all outside noise and vibrations. Its pillars rest on cushions, and 175 sound-insulating pads line the hall.
Did you know...
“Citius, Altius, Fortius,” which means “Faster, Higher, Stronger,” was long the motto of the Olympic Games. This motto was changed in 2021 to include the word “together,” highlighting the importance of solidarity. The motto is now “Citius, Altius, Fortius – Communiter.”
The Torch
After its lighting in Olympia, the flame was transported by relay in Greece to Athens. The organisers worked out a special system to transmit the Olympic flame from Greece to Canada. For the first kilometre on Canadian soil, 12 runners who represented the 10 provinces and two territories of Canada at that time each carried a torch with the flame. They came together at the same time as they passed it on the 13th torchbearer.
Did you know...
For the first time, two people together lit the Olympic cauldron in the Stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the Games. Sandra Henderson from Toronto and Stephane Préfontaine from Montreal were chosen to symbolise the Anglophone and Francophone communities.
Source: International Olympic Committee
Did you know...
The points awarded in the competition take into account the difficulty of the choreography, its artistic quality and its technical execution.
BIOGRAPHY
Vangelis
1943-2022
Evanghelos Odysseas Papathanassiou, known as Vangelis, is a Greek musician, composer, and producer. He is particularly recognized for his theme for the film Chariots of Fire, in addition to his electronic music and ambient music.
BIOGRAPHY
Gioachino Rossini
1792-1868
Gioachino Rossini was an Italian composer who wrote nearly forty operas. Interestingly, he stopped composing in his late thirties. Many speculated at the time, and people still speculate today, about why he retired from composing while he was at the peak of his career
Watch here how the Suprêmes de St-Léonard performed at the 2023 World Championships.
Watch here a short video made by the OSM and its organist-in-residence, Jean-Willy Kunz, to cheer on the Canadiens during the 2015 playoffs.
Gabriel Proulx-Dumay
Actor
The concert you are going to see is a theatrical concert. There will be music, performed by the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, but there will also be actors on stage who will tell a story. Gabriel Proulx-Dumay plays the role of Octave Rémi.
The music of the Olympic Anthem was composed by Spiros Samaras, with lyrics by Kostas Palamas, for the first Games in Athens in 1896.
Source: International Olympic Committee
Watch Team Canada's performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games here.
Martin Gougeon
Assistant stage manager
The person in charge of directing is called the stage manager. The assistant helps them oversee the various elements of the performance, such as the actors’ performances, lighting, sets, costumes, and so on.
Emma Bao-Linh
Actor
The concert you are about to see is a theatrical concert. There will be music performed by the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, but there will also be actors on stage who will tell a story. Emma Bao-Linh plays the role of Nadia Laflamme.
BIOGRAPHY
John Weinzweig
1913-2006
Born in Toronto, John Weinzweig is a Canadian composer and teacher. He began playing music at the age of 14. In 1974, he was named an Officer of the Order of Canada for his significant contribution as a composer and educator.
Will you be able to recognize the 35 anthems heard in the piece?
Here is the list:Canada, France, United Kingdom, United States, Ukraine, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Germany, Cuba, Japan, Switzerland, Greece, South Africa, Egypt, Peru, Haiti, Argentina, Iran, Israel, Palestine, Denmark, South Korea, North Korea, Russia, Belgium, Colombia, Australia, Philippines, India, Poland, Nigeria, Mexico, China, and Spain.
BIOGRAPHY
Calixa Lavallée
1841-1904
Born in Verchères, Calixa Lavallée was a Canadian pianist, composer, and conductor. He began playing music at a very young age, taught by his father. He served twice as president of the Quebec Music Academy and lived in the United States for several years.
Paralympic Games
The first Paralympic Games were held in Rome, Italy, in 1960. The Paralympic symbol, also known as the Agitos from the Latin meaning “I move”, is the visual representation of the Paralympic Movement.
It consists of three elements in red, blue and green encircling a central point. The three colours are the most widely represented in national flags around the world.
Source: International Paralympic Committee
The percussion
family!
There are many instruments in the percussion family. Some are pitched percussion instruments (capable of playing melodies), while others are unpitched percussion instruments (producing sound effects instead of precise notes). Percussion instruments are placed at the back of the orchestra, as they are generally louder than other instruments. Percussionists also play mostly standing up (as opposed to seated). Listen to Hugues Tremblay talk about the percussion family:
The Olympic Rings
Based on a design first created by Pierre de Coubertin, the Olympic rings remain a global representation of the Olympic Movement and its activity.“The Olympic symbol expresses the activity of the Olympic Movement and represents the union of the five continents and the meeting of athletes from throughout the world at the Olympic Games.”
Source: International Olympic Committe
70% of the hall’s surfaces are covered in beechwood, chosen for its excellent acoustic properties. The way the wood is polished is designed to control how the sound travels.
This photo was taken on March 14, 1986, during a friendly game between members of the Expos (Montreal's former baseball team) and musicians from the orchestra!
Amik
Amik means “beaver” in Algonquin
A national competition was held in Canada to find a name for the mascot. Choosing a beaver was far from random, as the animal is closely linked with the history of Canada, where it appears on the reverse of the five-cent coin and various stamps. It is also featured on the coats of arms of Montreal and Kingston, where the sailing competitions were held.
Amik appears with a red stripe featuring the Montreal Games logo, which symbolises the ribbon traditionally used for the winners’ medals. There is also a version with a multi-coloured ribbon in the colours of the Organising Committee.
Source: International Olympic Committee
Did you know...
John Williams has conducted school matinees with the OSM, as you can see from this picture taken at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier in 1984!”
Louis-François Grenier
The authors write scripts on topics they choose, or they receive assignments to write a script on a very specific subject, as in the case of this concert where Louis-François was commissioned to create a piece for young people that highlights music and the Olympics. In addition, Louis-François is the stage manager of the concert and oversees the various related aspects (acting, staging, costumes, etc.).
Author and stage manager
Nadia Comaneci became the first gymnast in the history of the Games to receive a perfect score on the asymmetric bars at the age of 14 in Montreal. During those Games, she won 3 gold medals, 1 silver, and 1 bronze.
Savais-tu que...
John Williams gave an interview about his piece. You can listen to it here!
The Medals
On the obverse, the traditional goddess of victory, holding a palm in her left hand and a winner’s crown in her right. A design used since the 1928 Games in Amsterdam, created by Florentine artist Giuseppe Cassioli (ITA - 1865-1942) and chosen after a competition organised by the International Olympic Committee in 1921. For these Games, the figure of victory is accompanied by the specific inscription: “XXIe Olympiade Montréal 1976”. The principal symbols are Victory, Fraternity and Universality. The reverse was designed as intentionally bare. It comprises a stylized laurel crown, symbol of victory since the Games of Antiquity, and the emblem of the 1976 Games in Montréal.
- Designer: Giuseppe Cassioli
- Composition: 1st Place (Gilt silver), 2nd Place (Silver), 3rd Place (Bronze)
- Diameter: 60mm
- Mint: Royal Canadian Mint
Source: International Olympic Committee
The
Strings!
The string family is the most numerous in the orchestra. Musicians playing violin, viola, cello and double bass are placed at the front of the orchestra, as this is generally the group of musicians who play the most notes in a concert. These instruments are also less sonorous than brass instruments, so it makes more sense to place them at the front of the orchestra. Listen to Sylvie Lambert talk about the string family:
BIOGRAPHY
Ludwig van Beethoven
1770-1827
A German composer, Beethoven is certainly one of the most important composers in the history of classical music. Despite becoming deaf at the age of 27, he still managed to compose works that are considered great masterpieces.
Christopher James
Flute (soloist)
The OSM is an ensemble of about 90 musicians whose goal is to perform and share the most beautiful pieces for orchestra. Sometimes, certain pieces feature a soloist who is accompanied by the orchestra. This allows the soloist to showcase the full virtuosity of their instrument.
The hall has movable ceiling panels to change the room’s shape and sound, making it easy to adapt the acoustics to any event or musical style. For example, the reverberation levels can be adjusted to create an intimate atmosphere for a small concert, or a grand one for a symphony.
OLYMPIC SYMPHONY
Orchestre Montréal
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Transcript
FR
OLYMPIC SYMPHONY
Start
Design: Marie-Claude Codsi
OlympiC symphonY
The Artists
The repertoire
Spotlight on the Olympic Games
Games and activities
Sports and music
Illustration: Mathilde Filippi
A look back at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Montreal Summer Olympic Games.
The Emblem
Amik, the Mascot
The Medals
The Torch
Highlight
The Olympic Stadium
Spotlight on the Olympic Games
Did you know...
The Rings
Olympic Anthem
Pierre de Coubertin
Citius, Altius, Fortius – Communiter
Paralympic Games
Arts and the Olympic Games
The Olympic Motto
The Artists
Actor
Emma Bao Linh
Conductor
Adam Johnson
Flute (soloist)
Christopher James
Actor
Gabriel Proulx-Duguay
Actor
Maxime de Munck
Athor and stage manager
Louis-François Grenier
Assistant stage manager
Martin Gougeon
Location:Maison symphonique de Montréal
The Maison symphonique de Montréal
The OSM’s home is the Maison symphonique, which was inaugurated on September 7, 2011, with a concert conducted by Kent Nagano. The hall has several unique features that make it one of a kind.
The repertoire
Millions of people cheer on athletes from around the world during the Olympic Games. During this concert, you will be able to feel the fervor of an anthem, and the importance of rhythm and breathing. Discover here the 8 works you will be able to hear.
Chariots of Fire Vangelis
This music was composed for the film Chariots of Fire in 1981. The film is based on the story of two English athletes who take part in the 1924 Paris Olympic Games. The film’s theme, which notably uses a synthesizer, quickly became popular and became synonymous with the Olympic Games and inspiring moments. The composer also won the Oscar for the film’s music thanks to its originality.
Listen to the Piece
Olympic Fanfare and ThemeJohn Williams
The work was commissioned for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. John Williams wanted the piece to be a musical representation of "the spirit of cooperation, of heroic achievement, all the striving and preparation that go before the events and all the applause that comes after them." Note that a fanfare is generally a short, dynamic piece of music featuring the brass family, announcing someone or something important.
Listen to the piece
Divertimento no. 1 for Solo Flute and String OrchestraJohn Weinzweig
John Weinzweig won the silver medal for this work in the chamber music category during the art competitions at the 1948 London Summer Olympic Games, the highest distinction awarded that year (no gold medal was given). Weinzweig is one of only two Canadians ever to have won a medal in the Olympic art competitions.
Listen to the piece
Ô CanadaCalixa Lavallée
O Canada was composed by Calixa Lavallée in 1880 with lyrics by Adolphe-Basile Routhier. The first performance of the piece took place on Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day of the same year at the Skaters’ Pavilion in Quebec during a reception. O Canada officially became Canada’s national anthem in 1967, following the approval of a committee composed of members of the Senate and the House of Commons. This was later confirmed by the National Anthem Act in 1980.
Listen to the piece
United Anthems Maxime Goulet
Commissioned to highlight the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation, the piece begins, of course, with Canada’s national anthem. Next, we hear the anthems of France and the United Kingdom, then that of the United States . The piece goes on to pay homage to many nations that contributed to the founding of Canada, particularly Scotland and Ireland. It’s a total of 35 excerpts from different anthems that you will hear.
Listen to the piece
Symphony no. 9, « The New World» : IV. Allegro con fuocoAntonín Dvořák
The New World Symphony was composed in 1893, while Dvořák was the director of the National Conservatory of Music in New York. It is one of his best-known works. In this movement, listen to how Dvořák uses the different families of instruments to create tension and captivate the audience.
Listen to the piece
Symphony no. 9 (excerpts) Ludwig van Beethoven
Beethoven’s Symphony no. 9, with its famous Ode to Joy, is probably one of the most performed and beloved classical works in the world. In 1971, it became the official anthem of the European Union. Interestingly, this symphony was the first to use a choir in its final movement. It was composed toward the end of Beethoven’s life, when he was almost completely deaf.
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Guillaume Tell : Overture (excerpt) Gioachino Rossini
The overture you are about to hear is from his final opera: William Tell.This opera, told in French, follows the story of the Swiss hero William Tell, who inspires his people to rebel against the Austrian governor Gessler. Forced to shoot an arrow at an apple placed on his son’s head for defying authority, William Tell succeeds and then manages to escape in order to kill Gessler. His act sparks a Swiss uprising that leads to the liberation of the country.
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SPORTS And MUSICUNITE
Team Spirit vs Soloists
MusicalSports
The OSM in the world of sports
MUSICAL SPORTS
Artistic swimming
Formerly known as synchronized swimming, artistic swimming is a team sport combining the disciplines of swimming, gymnastics and dance. Music plays an important role, as a team's choreography is based on it. Competitions are held in solo, duo, 8-person or 10-person teams.
In video
Musical SPORTS
Figure skating
There are 4 figure skating disciplines: singles, pairs, ice dancing and synchronized skating. Music plays an important role in all 4 disciplines, accompanying the skaters in their choreography. The music is chosen by the skaters in consultation with their coaches. They may hear this music for over 6-12 months during their training and competitions, so it's important that they like it!
In vidEo
Musical sports
Artistic Gymnastics
During artistic gymnastics competitions, gymnasts must take part in various events, including a floor routine. For this floor routine, female gymnasts must perform a series of choreographed movements to music in under 90 seconds. The whole routine must be performed in a confined space of 12 square meters. This event showcases the gymnasts' power, technique and artistic talent.
In vidEo
Team Spirit
Just as in a sports team, OSM musicians need team spirit to play the symphonic repertoire together. Although musicians don't play offense or defense, they are also part of sub-groups. An orchestra is made up of 4 families of instruments, each with its own position and role on stage.
Strings
Percussions
Woodwinds
Brass
Soloist
You may know that some sports are considered as individual sports, such as tennis, swimming and judo. Musicians can also decide to play solo and perform as soloists in concerts and even take part in competitions. Every year, the OSM organizes its own competition for young Canadian artists. Created in 1940, the OSM Competition is open to all orchestral families and to singers, on a rotating basis.
The OSM in the world of sports
Games and activities
Challenge!
Try to guess which anthem is being played in less than 15 seconds
Musicolympic Quiz
It’s time to test your symphonic Olympic knowledge!
École en réseau Workshop
Take part in a pre-concert workshop (in French only)
Visual GuideYouth Concert
Use this guide to prepare for your concert, step by step, with pictures and sounds.
École en réseau WOrkshop
Come discover the fascinating profession of conductor with Maestro Adam Johnson, conductor for the Olympic Symphony school matinees (in French only). Date: 20th of January 2026, 9.30am
To sign up for the virtual workshop!
Here we see Rafael Payare conducting a short excerpt during the OSM’s Virée classique.Credit: André Robitaille
01:00
Challenge Which anthem is it?
Try to guess which anthem is being played in less than 15 seconds! Will you be able to guess them all?”
Start
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Thank you for playing!
MusicOLYMPIC Quiz
START
Question 1/5
Which composer won an olympic medal for his music?
John Williams
Maxime Goulet
John Weinzweig
Question 2/5
What is the Olympic Games' motto?
Citius, altius, fortius - communiter
Altius, maximus fortius!
Sibelius maximus
Question 3/5
I am a musical sport!
Volleyball
Alpine skiing
Artistic swimming
Question 4/5
The OSM took part in a concert celebrating this team's 100th anniversary!
The Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Expos
Question 5/5
Canada's national anthem was composed in which province?
Ontario
Quebec
Manitoba
"Citius, altius, fortius - communiter"
BONUS
You've COMPLETED the musicolympic quiz!
WRONG ANSWER
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10
PIECES OF MUSIC INSPIRED BY
sportS
Rugby
Citius, Altius, Fortius!
Ping Pong Concerto
Concerto for Football and Orchestra
Boxe boxe
We are the champions
Les Expos sont là
Take me out to the ball game
Maurice Richard
Le but
Do you notice how the musical theme from John Williams’ Jaws is noticeably inspired by the very first notes of the 4th movement?
Pierre de Coubertin
Baron Pierre de Coubertin was born on January 1, 1863, into a French aristocratic family. He embarked on a quest to provide French children with what young English students already enjoyed—that is, sports as part of their schooling. In 1889, during the Paris Exposition Universelle, he organized the First Congress on Physical Exercises and School Competitions. Five years later, on June 23, 1894, in the great amphitheater of the Sorbonne, 2,000 people rose spontaneously to acclaim his proposal to revive the Olympic Games.”
1896
The Olympic Games of the modern era are being celebrated for the first time on their land of origin, Greece. They bring together athletes from 14 countries; the largest delegations come from Greece, Germany, France, and Great Britain.
Source: International Olympic Committee
Did you know...
what's the difference between the 4 disciplines? Ice dancing is performed in duets. In this discipline, skaters don't do jumps (like the triple axel), but they can do lifts. Conversely, singles and pairs skating must include jumps. Synchronized skating is performed in groups of 8 to 16 people.
The octobass is the largest and lowest-pitched string instrument, so big that its notes are on the very edge of what the human ear can perceive. Standing 3.6 metres tall and weighing 290 pounds, it requires the musician to use a small step stool and a system of levers and pedals (or a keyboard, depending on the instrument) to play it. The OSM is the only orchestra in the world that owns three of these rare instruments.
All potential noise sources in the building—like the heating systems, elevators, and even the restrooms—were specially designed to prevent sound propagation and ensure a quiet environment.
On the occasion of La Victoire’s home opener on November 25, 2025, musicians from the OSM performed the national anthem.
Did you know...
From the ancient Greek Games to the modern Olympic Games, music has always held an important place. From 1912 to 1948, athletes didn’t only win medals by running or jumping… they could also win by creating music. To compete, composers had to write pieces that were about sport or the Olympic spirit. These musical events have since disappeared, but they left the idea that at the Olympic Games, it’s not just sport that matters, but also creativity and music, which bring people from all over the world together.
Artistic Competitions
Five artistic disciplines were represented at the Olympic Games: architecture, sculpture, painting, literature, and music. Two Canadians won a medal: John Weinzweig (music) and Robert Tait McKenzie (sculpture).
The meeting
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Montreal Canadiens, the CH organized a big event at the Bell Centre on April 2, 2009. The OSM accompanied the artists throughout the evening.
of the century
The OSM closed the show with Beethoven's Ode to Joy, featuring over 1000 choristers and 4 international soloists: Measha Brueggergosman, Susan Platts, Gordon Gietz and John Relyea.
The Brass
family!
The brass family includes horns, trumpets, trombones and tuba. These instruments are placed at the back of the orchestra, as they are louder than the strings and woodwinds. Like the woodwinds and the strings, the brass instruments are placed in order of register, with the highest pitched instruments placed on the left and the lowest pitched instruments on the right. Listen to Pierre Beaudry talk about the brass family:
Watch Simone Biles' performance at the 2016 Rio Olympics here.
Free grand concert at the Olympic Park’s Esplanade
Every summer since its first edition in 2012, the OSM has hosted a free concert at the Olympic Park’s Esplanade. These concerts are a wonderful tradition that draws thousands of spectators, filling an iconic Montreal landmark with the power of music.
BIOGRAPHY
Antonín Dvořák
1841-1904
Dvořák is one of the best-known Czech composers. His use of elements from Slavic folk songs, combined with grand orchestration, made him a sensation in his time. His music is also often used as inspiration for film scores and television commercials.
The Woodwind
family!
The woodwind family includes flutes, clarinets, oboes and bassoons. These instruments are placed in the center of the orchestra. Like the strings, the instruments are placed in order of register, with the highest pitched instruments placed to the left of the section and the lowest pitched instruments to the right. The woodwinds are placed in front of the brass and percussion instruments, as they are less sonorous than the latter. Listen to Mathieu Harel talk about the woodwind family:
Symphonic Crossing
Do you know Mylène Paquette? This Quebecker rowed solo across the Atlantic Ocean from Canada to France in 129 days! The OSM was inspired by her story for a concert. You can watch the report (in French) here:
This music was comically used during the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games, with help from the London Symphony Orchestra and the character Mr. Bean.
The Emblem
It is made up of the Olympic rings mounted on an Olympic podium, which is also the graphic interpretation of the letter M, the initial of Montreal. In the centre, the athletics track, the focal point of the Games.This emblem invokes the universal fraternity offered by the Olympic Ideal, as well as the glory of the winners, the gallant spirit of their battles and the accession of Montreal to the rank of Olympic city.
Source: International Olympic Committee
Adam Johnson
Conductor
The conductor is the person who stands in front of the musicians, with their back to the audience. One of their tasks is to indicate to the instrumentalists when to start and stop playing, when to play louder or softer (dynamics), and when to play faster or slower (tempo).
OSM Classical Flight
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the OSM organized an outdoor concert at Montréal-Trudeau airport for 400 motorists, 2 years in a row.
Watch a documentary (in French) on the first edition of the event here:
Mikaël Kingsbury, freestyle skier and World Cup podium record-holder, hosted the second edition of this event on June 5, 2021.
Listen to Mikaël Kinsbury talk about the links between music and sports with OSM musician André Moisan in this video (in French):
The Olympic Stadium
Designed by French architect Roger Taillibert, the Olympic Stadium—with its tower—is the tallest inclined structure in the world! Construction of the stadium began in 1973. Unfortunately, due to a series of problems, the tower could not be completed in time for the start of the Games. After the Olympic Games, the stadium became the home of the Expos, Montreal’s baseball team, from 1977 until they left the city in 2004.
Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony of the Montreal Games took place on July 17, 1976, before more than 73,000 spectators. It began with the arrival of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by Prince Philip, the IOC President, Lord Killanin, and the Games Commissioner, Roger Rousseau.
Did you know...
Rossini didn’t just create music; he also loved cooking! He is credited with inventing the Tournedos Rossini!
With its prominent position in the hall, the Grand Orgue Pierre-Béique takes full advantage of the exceptional acoustics. This incredible instrument boasts 109 stops, 83 ranks, and 6,489 pipes to create its rich, powerful sound.
The 2025 edition of the Competition crowned Gabrielle Turgeon, soprano, as the winner. You can watch the final round here, where the three finalists performed with the orchestra.
Celebrating 10 years!
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Expos (Montreal's former baseball team), the OSM organized an event. And surprise! Youppi, who at the time was the Expos mascot, tried to conduct the OSM. You can watch an excerpt here!
Maxime de Munck
Actor
The concert you are going to see is a theatrical concert. There will be music, performed by the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, but there will also be actors on stage who will tell a story. Maxime de Munck plays the role of Pierre de Coubertin.
Dans cette vidéo, tu pourras regarder John Williams diriger lui-même la pièce qu'il a composée!
BIOGRAPHY
JOHN WILLIAMS
born in 1932
John Williams is an American composer and conductor born in 1932. He is known for his film scores, such as Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, Jaws, Harry Potter, E.T., and Schindler’s List. He has won 5 Oscars to date.
BiographY
Maxime Goulet
born in 1980
Fascinated and inspired by the connections between different forms of artistic expression, the Montreal composer Maxime Goulet (born in 1980) works in many areas of musical creation, from opera to video games… even going so far as to set the flavors of chocolate to music!
Hockey Legends
For this February 2008 concert, the OSM paid tribute to field hockey legends such as Yvan Cournoyer, Réjean Houle, Guy Lafleur and Pierre Émile Bouchard (pictured). For this concert, the OSM commissioned a new work entitled Les Glorieux, by composer François Dompierre and author Georges-Hébert Germain.
©Allen MacInnis
Did you know...
While female gymnasts perform their floor exercises to music, male gymnasts do so without music! This decision was taken many years ago. The women's discipline must emphasize beauty, elegance and flexibility, while the men's discipline must emphasize power and strength.
Invited by the Alouettes, the OSM presented a concert at Percival-Molson Stadium on June 17, 2006 to raise funds for the Fondation Réussite Jeunesse and Garde-Manger Pour Tous.
To ensure perfect acoustics, the hall is encased in a structural shell that insulates it from all outside noise and vibrations. Its pillars rest on cushions, and 175 sound-insulating pads line the hall.
Did you know...
“Citius, Altius, Fortius,” which means “Faster, Higher, Stronger,” was long the motto of the Olympic Games. This motto was changed in 2021 to include the word “together,” highlighting the importance of solidarity. The motto is now “Citius, Altius, Fortius – Communiter.”
The Torch
After its lighting in Olympia, the flame was transported by relay in Greece to Athens. The organisers worked out a special system to transmit the Olympic flame from Greece to Canada. For the first kilometre on Canadian soil, 12 runners who represented the 10 provinces and two territories of Canada at that time each carried a torch with the flame. They came together at the same time as they passed it on the 13th torchbearer.
Did you know...
For the first time, two people together lit the Olympic cauldron in the Stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the Games. Sandra Henderson from Toronto and Stephane Préfontaine from Montreal were chosen to symbolise the Anglophone and Francophone communities.
Source: International Olympic Committee
Did you know...
The points awarded in the competition take into account the difficulty of the choreography, its artistic quality and its technical execution.
BIOGRAPHY
Vangelis
1943-2022
Evanghelos Odysseas Papathanassiou, known as Vangelis, is a Greek musician, composer, and producer. He is particularly recognized for his theme for the film Chariots of Fire, in addition to his electronic music and ambient music.
BIOGRAPHY
Gioachino Rossini
1792-1868
Gioachino Rossini was an Italian composer who wrote nearly forty operas. Interestingly, he stopped composing in his late thirties. Many speculated at the time, and people still speculate today, about why he retired from composing while he was at the peak of his career
Watch here how the Suprêmes de St-Léonard performed at the 2023 World Championships.
Watch here a short video made by the OSM and its organist-in-residence, Jean-Willy Kunz, to cheer on the Canadiens during the 2015 playoffs.
Gabriel Proulx-Dumay
Actor
The concert you are going to see is a theatrical concert. There will be music, performed by the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, but there will also be actors on stage who will tell a story. Gabriel Proulx-Dumay plays the role of Octave Rémi.
The music of the Olympic Anthem was composed by Spiros Samaras, with lyrics by Kostas Palamas, for the first Games in Athens in 1896.
Source: International Olympic Committee
Watch Team Canada's performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games here.
Martin Gougeon
Assistant stage manager
The person in charge of directing is called the stage manager. The assistant helps them oversee the various elements of the performance, such as the actors’ performances, lighting, sets, costumes, and so on.
Emma Bao-Linh
Actor
The concert you are about to see is a theatrical concert. There will be music performed by the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, but there will also be actors on stage who will tell a story. Emma Bao-Linh plays the role of Nadia Laflamme.
BIOGRAPHY
John Weinzweig
1913-2006
Born in Toronto, John Weinzweig is a Canadian composer and teacher. He began playing music at the age of 14. In 1974, he was named an Officer of the Order of Canada for his significant contribution as a composer and educator.
Will you be able to recognize the 35 anthems heard in the piece?
Here is the list:Canada, France, United Kingdom, United States, Ukraine, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Germany, Cuba, Japan, Switzerland, Greece, South Africa, Egypt, Peru, Haiti, Argentina, Iran, Israel, Palestine, Denmark, South Korea, North Korea, Russia, Belgium, Colombia, Australia, Philippines, India, Poland, Nigeria, Mexico, China, and Spain.
BIOGRAPHY
Calixa Lavallée
1841-1904
Born in Verchères, Calixa Lavallée was a Canadian pianist, composer, and conductor. He began playing music at a very young age, taught by his father. He served twice as president of the Quebec Music Academy and lived in the United States for several years.
Paralympic Games
The first Paralympic Games were held in Rome, Italy, in 1960. The Paralympic symbol, also known as the Agitos from the Latin meaning “I move”, is the visual representation of the Paralympic Movement.
It consists of three elements in red, blue and green encircling a central point. The three colours are the most widely represented in national flags around the world.
Source: International Paralympic Committee
The percussion
family!
There are many instruments in the percussion family. Some are pitched percussion instruments (capable of playing melodies), while others are unpitched percussion instruments (producing sound effects instead of precise notes). Percussion instruments are placed at the back of the orchestra, as they are generally louder than other instruments. Percussionists also play mostly standing up (as opposed to seated). Listen to Hugues Tremblay talk about the percussion family:
The Olympic Rings
Based on a design first created by Pierre de Coubertin, the Olympic rings remain a global representation of the Olympic Movement and its activity.“The Olympic symbol expresses the activity of the Olympic Movement and represents the union of the five continents and the meeting of athletes from throughout the world at the Olympic Games.”
Source: International Olympic Committe
70% of the hall’s surfaces are covered in beechwood, chosen for its excellent acoustic properties. The way the wood is polished is designed to control how the sound travels.
This photo was taken on March 14, 1986, during a friendly game between members of the Expos (Montreal's former baseball team) and musicians from the orchestra!
Amik
Amik means “beaver” in Algonquin
A national competition was held in Canada to find a name for the mascot. Choosing a beaver was far from random, as the animal is closely linked with the history of Canada, where it appears on the reverse of the five-cent coin and various stamps. It is also featured on the coats of arms of Montreal and Kingston, where the sailing competitions were held.
Amik appears with a red stripe featuring the Montreal Games logo, which symbolises the ribbon traditionally used for the winners’ medals. There is also a version with a multi-coloured ribbon in the colours of the Organising Committee.
Source: International Olympic Committee
Did you know...
John Williams has conducted school matinees with the OSM, as you can see from this picture taken at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier in 1984!”
Louis-François Grenier
The authors write scripts on topics they choose, or they receive assignments to write a script on a very specific subject, as in the case of this concert where Louis-François was commissioned to create a piece for young people that highlights music and the Olympics. In addition, Louis-François is the stage manager of the concert and oversees the various related aspects (acting, staging, costumes, etc.).
Author and stage manager
Nadia Comaneci became the first gymnast in the history of the Games to receive a perfect score on the asymmetric bars at the age of 14 in Montreal. During those Games, she won 3 gold medals, 1 silver, and 1 bronze.
Savais-tu que...
John Williams gave an interview about his piece. You can listen to it here!
The Medals
On the obverse, the traditional goddess of victory, holding a palm in her left hand and a winner’s crown in her right. A design used since the 1928 Games in Amsterdam, created by Florentine artist Giuseppe Cassioli (ITA - 1865-1942) and chosen after a competition organised by the International Olympic Committee in 1921. For these Games, the figure of victory is accompanied by the specific inscription: “XXIe Olympiade Montréal 1976”. The principal symbols are Victory, Fraternity and Universality. The reverse was designed as intentionally bare. It comprises a stylized laurel crown, symbol of victory since the Games of Antiquity, and the emblem of the 1976 Games in Montréal.
Source: International Olympic Committee
The
Strings!
The string family is the most numerous in the orchestra. Musicians playing violin, viola, cello and double bass are placed at the front of the orchestra, as this is generally the group of musicians who play the most notes in a concert. These instruments are also less sonorous than brass instruments, so it makes more sense to place them at the front of the orchestra. Listen to Sylvie Lambert talk about the string family:
BIOGRAPHY
Ludwig van Beethoven
1770-1827
A German composer, Beethoven is certainly one of the most important composers in the history of classical music. Despite becoming deaf at the age of 27, he still managed to compose works that are considered great masterpieces.
Christopher James
Flute (soloist)
The OSM is an ensemble of about 90 musicians whose goal is to perform and share the most beautiful pieces for orchestra. Sometimes, certain pieces feature a soloist who is accompanied by the orchestra. This allows the soloist to showcase the full virtuosity of their instrument.
The hall has movable ceiling panels to change the room’s shape and sound, making it easy to adapt the acoustics to any event or musical style. For example, the reverberation levels can be adjusted to create an intimate atmosphere for a small concert, or a grand one for a symphony.