Mount Royal Conservatory and the Bella Concert Hall

Located just east of the scenic Rocky Mountains in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, the Mount Royal Conservatory serves as the music school of the Mount Royal University, a post-secondary institution offering undergraduate and continuing education programs for some 15,000 students annually. The conservatory itself provides primarily non-credit music and speech arts instruction to over 4,000 students of all ages and abilities. Private lessons, choirs, instrumental ensembles, as well as early childhood and advanced performance programs make up just some of the conservatory’s diverse offerings. To adapt to the growing needs of its students and community, the physical home of the conservatory has taken many forms. After surveying a brief history of the conservatory, the case focuses on Director Paul Dornian’s efforts to build an entirely new performing arts and teaching facility. Following two decades of planning, fundraising, and preparatory work, Dornian faced a serious decision when construction costs skyrocketed unexpectedly. This case examines the conflicting factors Dornian was forced to weigh as he deliberated a path forward for his organization.