Recordings
CMS 60th Anniversary Finale Concert
In celebration of 60 years of community music at the Cosmopolitan Music Society, CMS commissioned 4 brand-new pieces to perform for the first time at the Season Finale Concert. Below, you will find the live recording of the piece as well as information on each of the composers who have graciously encouraged us to share their pieces with the world!
Bob BUckley
EarthTones
Earthtones celebrates the breathtaking beauty and diversity of nature's rich and vibrant palette. It was inspired by the vast and scenic landscape of Alberta – from the majestic Rocky Mountains and foothills, to the shimmering lakes and sprawling grasslands, to the serene wilderness of the north, it is a land- and sky-scape that is ever-changing.
In a cinematic style, the music takes us on an imaginary flight over this magnificent panorama. Sometimes grand, sometimes reverent, sometimes playful, this composition reflects the awe-inspiring beauty and natural wonders of the province from a bird's-eye perspective.
Inspired by the Indigenous peoples and the diverse communities that call the province home, this piece reflects the deep connection between the land and its inhabitants. The music moves through many moods and emotions and, after a final dramatic flourish, the concluding moments of the composition are imbued with a profound sense of awe and reverence.
June Ulloa-Neilson
Convallaria
Convallaria is the scientific name for the Lily of the Valley. The flower is used in royal ceremonies to represent birth, rebirth, and purity. It is also associated with Apollo, the Greek god of the sun, music, and the arts, among many many others.
These are the themes that June Ulloa-Neilson tried to capture when writing the main theme to this composition, heard initially in the flugelhorns. However, for the 60th anniversary of the Cosmo Music Society, they wanted to write an anthem for the big band style, morphing the theme to fit various styles of big band writing, from a Sammy Nestico-esque swing to a burning shout chorus.
This piece is a celebration of everything that makes big band their favourite instrumentation, from its subtle intimate tones to its electrifying brass sound.
Jared Samborski
Fun in the Choir
Fun in the Choir is an uptempo waltz set in a modified-strophic style. The song opens in C Major, a key of carefree innocence, and utilises utterly careless modulations to mark the passing of time and the tension of the rehearsal year. Its lyrics have been crafted stylistically to align with storied folk music, replete with a repeating phrase and slightly too many verses. Jared has bucked modern choral conventions, avoiding use of complex polyrhythm, serialism, waves of tone clusters, or polytonality. The dancing accompaniment and jaunty choral lines strive to be simply what they are: a beat that you’ll tap along to, and a melody that will get stuck in your head for weeks.
Daybreak’s Promise
Darryl Dewalt
Darryl writes music primarily for his own use, including music for choir, congregation, and handbells. He was honoured and excited to receive the invitation to write a double-bell choir piece for the Cosmopolitan Music Society handbell choirs.
The challenge included writing two pieces that can be played separately or together, as you will hear in this concert. There is a simple, jaunty main theme, one secondary theme, and some other elements that are played by each bell choir at different times, as well as material unique to each choir. The title, "Daybreak's Promise" is thanks to a ringer from the bell choir at Camrose United Church.
The CMS Jazz Orchestra Vintage Session
CMS Jazz Orchestra Conductor Allen Jacobson wanted to give his ensemble motivation to rehearse in the 3 month span between their Spring Concert Series performance March 8th and the 2024 Season Finale June 9th. His answer: embark on a project he’d wanted to do for years and test his ensemble in a dedicated recording session.
Recording 5 pieces in the space of 2 hours using omnidirectional microphones and recording live off the floor with no overdubbing (just like the old school!) is no small feat, even for an ensemble that has performed at least 30 “Canadian Premieres” of pieces over the past 7 years. The results: a 5 piece EP highlighting the skill of the CMS Jazz Orchestra with the “vintage” feel of golden age of jazz recordings.
The Jazz Orchestra would like to thank Engineer Mike Malone who provided the equipment, savour fair and good vibes (not vibraphones!), and the Tuesday Band who performed with “their usual devil may care, rambunctious, splash and dash style that did not affect the recording at all.”