We are more than music; we are community
For 60 years, the Cosmopolitan Music Society has been a cornerstone of music education and performance in the Edmonton community from our home in the heart of Old Strathcona. Established in 1964 as the Cosmopolitan Club Band, Cosmo pioneered one of Canada’s first true community band programs, meeting in local halls and school gyms long before band programs were made available across Alberta.
Today, Cosmo has grown to 10 ensembles, encompassing a diverse array of musical instruments, genres, and skill levels. We offer:
Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced Concert Bands
Intermediate and Advanced Jazz Big Band
Intermediate, and Advanced Handbells
Mixed Chorus
Beginner Band – a unique 2-year program for adults with little to no experience with concert band instruments, reading music, or playing in a group
Whether you choose to play, sing, or ring in a CMS ensemble, attend a single performance or join us for the entire season, our wish is that you experience the joy of live music and the power of music to elevate the soul. Explore our website to discover more about our ensembles, events, and how you can become a part of the Cosmo family.
Welcome to the Cosmopolitan Music Society!
“I think anyone who loves music should be playing here; it doesn’t matter where you come from or if you’ve played before. Cosmo is a place to learn and play music with wonderful people.”
Our Ensembles
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Beginner Band
Canada’s first 2-year Beginner Band program teaches adults with little to no experience with music, wind and percussion instruments, or playing with a group.
Students receive 8-weeks of lessons on their instrument, plus weekly sessions on the foundations of music theory and literacy, and ensemble skills.
The Beginner Band culminates its season with a performance on the Winspear stage as part of the CMS Finale.
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Concert Bands
The Cosmopolitan Music Society has 3 adult recreational concert bands with three levels.
Novice practices on Wednesdays
Intermediate practices on Tuesdays
Advanced practices on Mondays.
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Jazz Bands
The CMS Jazz program consists of two ensembles:
The CMS Jazz Big Band is open to intermediate level players on all wind instruments, guitar, bass, piano, and drums. Experience with improvisation is not required for this ensemble. Drawing on the classics and standards of the Swing era, rehearsals include a history and theory component as well as foundations of improvisation.
The Cosmopoli-tone Jazz Band adds latin, funk, and modern jazz tunes into its repertoire. Comfort with improvisation is an asset.
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Chorus
The CMS Chorus has around 75 members of various ages and is conducted by Mr. Jamie Burns. They rehearse Monday nights and perform a wide variety of music, from classical to Broadway.
Entry to the Chorus is determined by a simple voice placement with the conductor.
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Handbells
CMS operates two Handbell Ensembles - Reverberations (advanced ringers) and Overtones (beginner and intermediate ringers).
Due to the nature of bell choirs, space in our ensembles is capped and fills up fast!
Support CMS
Non-profit community music programs like ours depend on the generous support of public and private donors. Your donations help to keep our doors open and our programming available to all those in the Edmonton Area and beyond.
