Calgarians recognize the name from her many years in the retail music business but Irene Besse has done a lot more than sell pianos and keyboards.
Music is a key component of Irene Besse's life and she has spread her love of music to numerous homes in Southern Alberta through instruments purchased from her store.
Besse believes everyone should have an opportunity to enjoy music and she has donated or offered drastically reduced prices on pianos and keyboard to not-for-profit organization and local musicians.
“I've seen the results of what music does for people, whether they're a child or a senior,” says Besse. “That was an inspiration to me, apart from the sales or retail or anything else.”
The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra has been a major beneficiary of Besse's generosity, and the CPO’s President CEO, Ann Lewis-Luppino, says Besse’s contributions can be seen throughout Calgary’s music scene.
“Not only the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra but so many other organizations, including the Honens International Piano Competition and to individual artists as well,” says Lewis-Luppino. “One young protégé that I think Irene discovered here was Jan Lisiecki.”
Jan Lisiecki was about eight-years-old when Irene gave him a piano so he could get the practice he needed. He's now touring the world performing with major orchestras and conductors.
Sport fans are familiar with Irene as the in-house organist for the Calgary Flames, during the team’s first ten years in Calgary, and for the Calgary Cannons baseball team.
Besse says one of her greatest experiences was Calgary’s 1988 Olympic Winter Games. She was the first organist to play during Olympic hockey games.
“It was a wonderful, wonderful experience. People from all over the world that came to see the Olympics realized there was a live organist and they'd come up and want to sit with me or ask me questions,” says Besse. “In those days I had a little booth all to myself and they had to put security at the door so I wouldn't be interrupted.”
Ann Lewis-Luppino says just because Irene is getting out of the music sales business doesn't mean she's leaving music behind.
“I've already asked her what's she doing next,” says Lewis-Luppino. “I have a few plans for Irene but I have a feeling Irene will already be approaching me to say 'What can we do?'”
For all she's done to put music in the lives, Irene Besse is this week's Inspiring Albertan.
