George Calangis

Conductor, mandolinist and Banjo player, George Calangis was born in Vancouver in 1916. At a young age, he performed with his five sisters, collectively known as the Musical Calangis Family, playing various mandolins and banjos. Becoming proficient in piano and strings, they performed in Seattle, on the radio and in night clubs in Los Angeles. Returning to Vancouver, in 1933 after being the staff orchestra on CKCD, they began performing on CBC radio. After service in World War 2, George led the orchestra at the Commodore Ballroom until the mid- 1950’s, continuing to conduct the CBC orchestra for radio. Subsequently he developed a career in business. Three of his sisters remained active in music, in teaching and playing for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.