Who We Are:
The Cosmopolitan Music Society
Vision, Mission, and Values
THE CMS MANDATE
The Cosmopolitan Music Society provides adult musicians of all skill levels and backgrounds from Edmonton and surrounding area with the opportunity to rehearse and perform quality concert band, choral, jazz, and handbell music in an educational and recreational environment under professional direction.
Vision
CMS strives to create an inclusive and supportive environment for people to engage in ensemble music. Through involvement with CMS, we build and strengthen connections within the community, support mental and physical health, and develop life-long skills and attitudes that foster participation in live music.
Mission
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
Values
We value
Meaning and enjoyment in life
A sense of belonging
Mental and physical health
Curiosity
Respect for tradition
Strategic Goals 2024-27
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
Strengthen Connections within the Community
Develop connections with public, sponsors, donors, arts and culture organizations
Provide accessible concert performances throughout the year
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
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.
