THE CMS MANDATE

Vision

To achieve our vision, CMS will

• Provide concert band, choral, jazz, and handbell programs of the highest quality

• Provide rehearsal and performance experiences for member and audience growth and enjoyment

• Collaborate with different sectors of the music and arts communities for mutual growth, development, and promotion

• Provide a safe, inclusive, enriching, and enjoyable environment for members and guests

• Promote attitudes of service and giving within the Society and local community

Strategic Goals 2024-27

1. Organizational Excellence

   • Implement policies that ensure the health and well-being of our staff

   • To achieve financial stability and sustainability

   • Hire and retain exceptional staff, conductors, and board members who reflect the diversity of our communities

   • To develop organizational resilience and procedures for succession and organizational continuity

2. Strengthen Connections within the Community

   • Develop connections with public, sponsors, donors, arts and culture organizations

   • Provide accessible concert performances throughout the year

3. Support Mental and Physical Health

   • Develop an internal environment in which all members, staff, conductors, board, and guests feel physically, mentally, and emotionally safe

   • Advocate for inclusion of music in every-day life as a strategy to improve and support physical and mental health

   • Advocate for recognition of and funding to support community music as a proven mode of social connection that has tangible physical and mental health benefits

4. Foster participation in live music events

   • Ensure fees associated with ticket purchase, membership, and equipment are affordable and allow for people in the GEA to participate in concerts and/or CMS ensembles as they are able

   • Advocate and apply for external funding to offset fees associated with live music events

   • Advocate for the social, physical, and mental benefits of participation in live music through media, conferences, and community representation

Equity Statement

CMS will be responsive to the changing needs of the Edmonton area and the many people and socio-cultural communities that add to the vibrancy and resiliency of our region. We acknowledge that systemic barriers to equity exist. 

Equity can only be achieved by actively pursuing it as a goal and understanding that it is an on-going process with no completion date. We strive to ensure we are supporting and creating inclusive and equitable communities. We value diversity and inclusion and are committed to helping achieve equity. We recognize that treating all groups equally will not result in equity. We recognize that this might create discomfort, but we acknowledge that change is rarely comfortable.

We will continue and increase our work with diverse people and communities towards shared goals, engaging diverse voices to ensure all communities within the Edmonton area see themselves reflected in CMS. 

We see elevating the voice and power of communities as a key way we can help achieve equity. We want to ensure that people can thrive and reach their full potential by amplifying community voice and power.

We commit to reporting back and communicating about our successes and challenges in our equity journey.