By Jane Kaczmer Special the Eagle The Cochrane Music Society 2018-2019 Season has begun. First rehearsals were Sept. 4 with the choir and Sept. 5 for the concert and jazz bands which has everyone so excited to be back. This is the 20th Anniversary of CMS and we are excited about the year ahead. We would love to have you join in the fun! All of the CMS ensembles are un-auditioned. Some of the Choral Waves choir members are quite experienced and some couldn’t read music when they joined but the festival honours achieved show that certainly hasn’t held them back. Band on the Bow concert band members vary significantly in ability and experience from Grade 3 to Grade 5 band levels. They support each other, learn together and constantly improve in musical expression. They have also achieved Superior rating at the Alberta Band Association Festival. Riverside Jazz has expanded its repertoire hugely from the early years of swing classics. Each session they take on “project” pieces to challenge and grow their technical ability. The CMS fall workshop, Jumpstart, will be Sept. 29 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in conjunction with the Cochrane Integrated Arts Society Passport Event. Choral Waves choir will hold their workshop at Nan Boothby library as a combined passport venue with the library. Browse the library, hear the choir and get your passport stamped. Band on the Bow concert band will hold their workshop at Bow Valley High School and all choir and band members will enjoy a delicious BBQ afterward. Choristers and wind instrumentalists from the public are invited join in our Jumpstart workshop and stay for the BBQ for the small fee of $10. Contact us at [email protected] for more information and to register. The CMS members are thrilled about their upcoming 20th Anniversary Celebration and are already in the planning stages of a commissioned piece for all three ensembles by former Bow Valley High School student, Andrew Ball! Andrew is a performer, recording artist, instructor, composer and arranger, and has toured with Michael Bernard Fitzgerald incorporating local orchestras, concert bands, marching bands, and choirs. When people are having fun and working together to create beautiful, balanced sound, they excel . If you want Tuesday (choir) or Wednesday (bands) evening to be the highlight of your week, check out our website www.cochranemusic .ca, come to the next rehearsal and join us! You will be glad you did.
