Opening Day is a premier Canadian-based showcase of creative business and tech collaborators in the performance, education and production world. Opening Day Records, [ODR] a division of Opening Day Entertainment, has earned an enviable reputation for excellence – with multiple awards, a renowned artist roster, critically acclaimed recordings, celebrated producers, and chart topping titles. It is also the home to Canadian Brass and all those who have been a part of the history of the world’s most famous brass and legendary recording ensemble.
Founded in 1993 by Stuart Laughton, the label group quickly became a favourite among critics and broadcasters, rapidly earning an enviable reputation for exclusivity and quality – accumulating numerous Juno nominations and being honoured with one Juno win. Since 2003, Opening Day has seen consistent positioning on the Billboard charts with best-selling titles and an outstanding track record with critics and consumers. Stretching over a broad definition of music, Opening Day Entertainment Group (ODEG) also supports artist management, press, communications, publishing, design and distribution outlets. Our recording efforts are assisted by deep-rooted publishing relationships with Hal Leonard Publishing Corp. and Universal Music Publishing to ensure a worldwide reach.
Since its inception, ODEG has been on the fast track to cumulative success, with the Grammy®-nominated and Juno & Echo Award winning Canadian Brass leading the way with active touring and appearances worldwide, a broad based educational outreach and recording more than ever – as well as a triumphant return to the top of the Billboard charts!
Today Opening Day continues its tradition of engaging with the greatest artists and educational institutions of today and is extending the inclusion of those who understand the importance of music and music education in a world that is in great need of change. Along with a world-class roster, we also feature and promote award-winning and acclaimed composers and arrangers such as R. Murray Schafer, Christopher Dedrick, Malcolm Forsyth, Howard Cable, Eric Robertson, Brandon Ridenour, Caleb Hudson, Bramwell Tovey, Richard Walters, Michael Kamen and many more. These recordings represent not only a wide-ranging repertoire but distinctive performance styles, writing and interpretations.
The Opening Day Educations, music and video catalogues boast recordings covering classical, classical crossover, jazz, pop, Christian and holiday as well as award-winning Canadian and Canadian Brass related composers and indigenous Canadiana – traditional music, spoken word and humour. We also feature a wealth of holiday music featuring traditional Christmas classics as well as newly composed yuletide treats. A special feature is the launch of our label imprint – Soloists of the Canadian Brass. Here we offer a perfect opportunity for listeners to experience some of the world’s finest brass virtuosi, who normally perform with Canadian Brass, in recordings of captivating solo projects and chamber music.
Opening Day continues to seek those on the cutting edge of technology giving consumers and fans multimedia airplay, downloads and streaming opportunities as well as digital applications via iPhone and other smartphone carriers. As new advancements in music presentation are developed, Opening Day is positioned to offer access to our artists and their catalogues of great music via these new digital platforms.
As one of the preeminent independent platforms in Canada, Opening Day nurtures gifted young artists as well as expands and supports the careers of all-time legends, and is expanding to include those who are committed to the betterment of humanity outside the music industry. We invite all fans and lovers of the arts and humanities to explore and experience the magnificent creativity and artistry within. As technology changes, not only is Opening Day prepared to meet those challenges with digital music and AI offerings but we feel CDs sales are still a critical ingredient in presenting music on tour to music consumers, and as we grow, we will have more opportunities to offer. It is our commitment to share experiences and engagements like no other.
Opening Day TEAM
MB DAellenbach - LEAD
Stuart Laughton - Founder
FORMER MEMBERS
TREY MILLS JANINA KANO
MATT BROOKS IRIS KOFOLDT
JOSEPH SZURLY
CHRISTIAN DAELLENBACH
CHRIS COLETTI
KEVIN KING
ANDREW TURESKI & CAITLIN JODOIN
JANICE MANN
