This month, the Jack Singer Concert Hall at Arts Commons will plunge audiences into the underwater world of legendary National Geographic photographer Brian Skerry and producer James Cameron in National Geographic Film Concert: Secrets of the Whales on April 21 - 23. With none other than Jann Arden as our guide into the complex and captivating families, culture, and play that define the secret lives of whales, the whole experience is brought to life by a full orchestra and world-class conductor Anthony Parnther.

“I am absolutely thrilled and very honoured to be part of this most important project,” says Jann Arden. “It will draw significant and much needed attention to preserving our precious and important ocean ecosystems.”

Called “visually engrossing” by The New York Times and “dazzling throughout” by the Chicago Sun-Times, this concert presentation brings the most powerful moments of the Emmy-winning Disney+ series together, submerging audiences into the lives of five different whale families as they navigate ecological changes to their habitats.

“It was the most ambitious project of my career. If we could see the ocean and our planet through the lens of the culture of another species, that could change our perception of the natural world and our relation to it,” says Skerry. “Those connections, the communities and the cultures the whales share all mirror human culture, but sometimes we forget about that."

Celebrated National Geographic Explorer and photographer Brian Skerry has spent nearly four decades of his life exploring and documenting the world’s oceans. Skerry spent more than two years in 24 locations around the world capturing footage for the four-part series, with the most powerful moments selected for this condensed, two-hour concert performance. Projected on a high-definition screen spanning the width of the Jack Singer Concert Hall stage, audiences will be transported by the rich filmography and sweeping score, brought to life by a 40-piece orchestra, led by acclaimed conductor Anthony Parnther. Join Arts Commons Presents for this world premiere event, just in time for Earth Day 2024, in the Jack Singer Concert Hall at Arts Commons. Get your tickets today at artscommons.ca/whales.