About the Artist
Laura Pettigrew’s contributions in Canada are well known but her influence and achievement have now expanded to all over the world. She is an award-winning composer and flutist working across a broad range of genres in collaboration with performing artists, in film, dance and the concert hall. Her works have received world premières by; JUNO award-winning Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, (Canada) GRAMMY® Award-winning I Solisti Veneti (Italy), Ensemble Chaminade, Quartetto Image (Italy), Regina Symphony Orchestra, Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra, Guelph Symphony Orchestra (Canada), Massive Brass Attack, Sérgio Carolino, Yamaha International artist, tuba (Portugal), among others, and featured on recordings by acclaimed artists, soloists and ensembles across the globe, as well as in the international award-winning short film, The Sky Came Down, Laura Pettigrew is making her mark on the world stage.
Laura received her Master of Music in Composition studying with Dr. Tom Schudel and Bachelor of Music majoring in Composition and Flute Performance from the University of Regina (Saskatchewan) and has produced a large catalogue of original music. Her list of works spans from solo to orchestral pieces, sound designs for her works, film soundtrack, and special event commissions. Works are available, published by Canadian Music Centre, United Music and Media Publishers, Kendor, Sillabe and Laura Pettigrew.
Laura has been awarded commissions for Canada’s 150th celebration for Toronto Symphony Orchestra's Canada Mosaic Legacy Project. Her Sesquie “Dòchas” (Hope) premiered by Toronto Symphony Orchestra, bound book of scores and CD recording of works for the project housed in Library and Archives Canada; Commission Museum of Buonconsiglio Castle (Italy) Inaugural Commission Davidson College Symphony Orchestra funded by Davidson College Friends of the Arts, Bacca Visiting Artist Grant (USA)and been a Visiting Composer for numerous projects and residencies including Fondazione Adkins Chiti - Donne in Musica (Adkins Chiti Foundation, Women in Music) in Fiuggi, Italy. Wildacres Flute Retreat and Wildacres Residency program, in Little Switzerland North Carolina (USA) and more.
Her music has been broadcast on CBC Radio National (Canada), Westdeutsche Rundfunk WDR, (Germany - second Europor broadcaster after BBC) Soundart Radio 102.5 FM (UK) iheart.com, and a vast array of community radio stations globally including (USA) ECR, WFCF 88.5 FM, WFWM 91.9 FM, WOMR 92.1 FM, WFMR 93.1 FM (Canada) CICW-FM 101.1
Laura’s works have been performed at festivals and concerts worldwide including for his Royal Highness Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson PC, CC, CMM, COM, CD 26th Governor General of Canada, The Honourable Lynda Maureen Haverstock, OC, SOM, 19th Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan at Saskatchewan Legislative Building (Canada); Gravissimo 10th edition International Low Brass Festival (Portugal); Simposio Internacional Mujeres en la Música UCR Internacional Mujeres en la Música Edición Virtual: del L 21 al V 25, (Costa Rica); Inaugural New Music Festival, Penn State University (USA) Other career highlights include projects for the Museum of Buonconsiglio Castle (Italy) commission, music video, “Fede” to celebrate Italian renaissance painter, Fede Galizia, collaboration with Italian artists, Monique Ciola, piano, Roberta Gottardi, clarinet and Allesandro Zanon, videographer.
Her award-winning short film “The Sky Came Down” created in 2012 to commemorate the centenary of the Tornado that devastated the city of Regina, Saskatchewan collaborating with award-winning artists Robin Poitras, dance and Larry Bauman, videographer presented at film festivals during 2012-2013. A finalist (one of three) of the 2021 Harvey Phillips Awards for Excellence in Composition, solo Tuba (USA) her piece titled “Isolation” (COVID -19 Contemplation, Obscurity, Vehement, Inspiration, Determination) was premiered live by Sérgio Carolino world-renowned Yamaha International Artist, Tuba at Gravissimo 10th ed. International Low Brass Festival (Portugal). Her works for Flute are included in the newly published international COMPENDIUM MUSICAE FLAUTA (Edizioni Smasher, Italy) first Encyclopedia for Flute containing 15,000 works in all formations by 2,800 Women Composers worldwide.
She has been the recipient of awards, scholarships and grants from: Saskatchewan Foundation for the Arts Artist Awards, Regina Artist, Saskatchewan Arts Board, Creative Saskatchewan, Canadian Music Centre, Saskatchewan Film Tax Credit, Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des Arts du Canada, FACTOR and SOCAN. And been honoured with awards for her commitment to the arts, community and philanthropy; Mayor’s Arts and Business Award, Living the Arts, University of Regina Alumni Crowning Achievement Award-Distinguished Humanitarian and Community Service, YWCA Women of Distinction, Jacqui Shumiatcher Arts Award, nominee Lieutenant Governor’s Award.
She is an avid supporter of Donne, Women in Music (UK), Fondazione Adkins Chiti - Donne in Musica (Adkins Chiti Foundation Women in Music) (Italy), Associate composer Canadian Music Centre, Member of SOCAN, Canadian League of Composers, Canadian New Music Network, and International Women's Brass Conference (USA) promoting and encouraging women composers and musicians to ensure “equality” prevails for all composers.