THE CMS MANDATE

Vision

To achieve our vision, CMS will

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

• Facilitate rehearsal and performance experiences that provide growth and enjoyment for members and audience

• Collaborate with different sectors of the music, education, 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

• Operate the organization informed by best practices of efficiency, sustainability and responsibility

• Maintain accountability to Society membership

Strategic Aims 2024-27

1.   Organizational Excellence

• To achieve financial stability and sustainability

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

• To improve diversity of membership

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

• To build space capacity that adequately meets the needs of CMS and its membership

2.   Strengthen Connections within the Community

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

• Provide accessible concert performances throughout the year

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

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

• Develop connections with City, real estate, and complimentary organizations with the goal to build a rehearsal and concert space that meets the growing needs of CMS and the community

3.   Support Mental and Physical Health

• Develop an internal environment in which all members, staff, conductors, board, and guests can 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

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.