The Cosmopolitan Music Society is a nonprofit organization named for its original sponsor, The Cosmopolitan Club of Edmonton. Founded in 1962 by professional musician and conductor Harry Pinchin & collaborators, it has come to occupy a uniquely special role in Edmonton’s robust arts and cultural scene. The society, originally made up almost entirely of students, met in school gyms and community halls to rehearse long before band programs were made available across Alberta.
Now, from our home in the Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre, Cosmo has grown to include a number of concert band ensembles, a jazz band and jazz orchestra, a chorus, and two handbell ensembles. Our ensembles have performed at a range of events across Edmonton, Canada, and overseas, including but not limited to: The Tommy Banks Tribute Concert, our annual Lest We Forget… A Musical Tribute performance in honour of our veterans and in collaboration with branches of the Royal Canadian Legion, and various performances at the Alberta legislature, the Commonwealth Games, and Carnegie Hall.
The Cosmopolitan Music Society continues to pride itself on helping music lovers become music makers by making music instruction and performance broadly accessible to the local community – regardless of skill level.
The Cosmopolitan Music Society is a nonprofit organization named for its original sponsor, The Cosmopolitan Club of Edmonton. Founded in 1962 by professional musician and conductor Harry Pinchin & collaborators, the society met in school gyms and community halls to rehearse long before band programs were made available across Alberta.
From our home in the Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre, Cosmo has grown to include a number of concert band ensembles, a jazz band and jazz orchestra, a chorus, and two handbell ensembles. Our ensembles have performed at a range of events across Edmonton, Canada, and overseas.
The Cosmopolitan Music Society continues to pride itself on helping music lovers become music makers through making music instruction and performance broadly accessible to the local community – regardless of skill level.
September 2023 marks the beginning of the Cosmopolitan Music Society’s 60th anniversary season!
For 60 years Cosmo has been providing musical education and performances in the Edmonton community from our home in the heart of Old Strathcona. Founded in 1962 by conductor Harry Pinchin, our society developed one of Western Canada’s first “beginner” band programs – meeting in community halls and school gyms long before band programs were made available across Alberta. Today, Cosmo has grown to include 9 ensembles: A jazz band and jazz orchestra; Beginner, novice, intermediate, and advanced concert bands; Two handbell ensembles; and a Chorus. Our ensembles have performed across Edmonton, Canada, and even overseas at Carnegie Hall!
Our 60th Anniversary season marks not only a return to Cosmo’s roots as a home for musicians of all skill levels to come together and rehearse, perform, and spread their love of music, but an expansion of programming and our involvement in the community. Whether you attend one or all of our performances this year, we hope that you leave Cosmo with a deep appreciation for music in all its forms. Keep an eye on our website for information on this season’s performances, special events, and more, or join the CMS Newsletter to have updates sent directly to you.
The Cosmopolitan Music Society continues to pride itself on helping music lovers become music makers by making music instruction and performance broadly accessible to the local community – regardless of skill level. Interested in performing with us? CMS accepts new members each year until the end of September! Contact info@cosmopolitanmusic.org for more information or to register or visit our Join CMS page to learn more.
Every one is welcome – The Cosmopolitan Music Society (“Cosmo”) gives amateur adult musicians and singers the opportunity to learn and perform music across a variety of genres. Under professional music direction, our concert bands and choirs perform at all levels of ability from beginner to advanced.
Recruitment for the new season begins in August of every year! Click below to learn more about becoming a member.
Every one is welcome – The Cosmopolitan Music Society (“Cosmo”) gives amateur adult musicians and singers the opportunity to learn and perform quality jazz big band, concert band and choral music.
Under professional music direction, our concert bands and choirs perform at all levels of ability from beginner to advanced. Jazz Big Band is for novice to advanced, and Jazz Orchestra is by audition only.
Our season begins with rehearsals starting in early September and running through to early June, with a break at Christmas.
All of our ensembles perform a variety of musical repertoire.
Cosmo relies on patrons and donors like you to operate our full range of music programming. As a non-profit and registered charity, we have a variety of ways you can support our operations through both money and time.
Contact us today to donate and help keep the music alive!
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