The sounds of smooth jazz, concert band and a crooning choir will be filling the air in Cochrane as the Cochrane Music Society (CMS) starts registration for their 14th year.
On Tuesday, Sept. 2 from 7 – 8 p.m., anyone interested can stop by the Bow Valley High School music room to sign up for one of the groups offered by CMS. The Choral Waves Choir will be having its first rehearsal at 8 p.m. right after the registration event.
“It is a really good time for people who are interested in the society to come and meet people who are involved and people who are on the board,” said Jane Kaczmer, treasurer and director of advertising for CMS. “It gives people a chance to come, chat and see where it is and find out how people like it.”
The music groups available for registration will be the intermediate-level concert bands, Band On the Bow and Riverside Jazz, along with Choral Waves, a mixed-voice choir ensemble.
The groups run from September to June and perform at various concerts and events throughout the year.
According to Kaczmer, those wanting to join Band on the Bow or Riverside Jazz should play music at a Grade 3-4 level. There is no experience required for the choir. She said it is an adult group so participants must be at least 18 years old to join.
She said that every year the groups continue to grow and they have some members who have been a part of CMS since it began in 1999.
“It’s a lot of fun and people have a good time doing it. It is a good social event,” added Kaczmer.
She pointed out that although Cochrane has a great music scene, CMS provides more classical and jazz – something she said that you don’t always find a lot of in Cochrane.
Kaczmer said the bands rehearse weekly on Wednesdays – Band on the Bow from 7 – 8:45 p.m. and Riverside Jazz from 9 – 10:30 p.m. Choral Waves rehearsals will be from 7 – 8:45 p.m. on Tuesdays. All rehearsals will take place at the Bow Valley High School music room.
Kaczmer added that sometimes they will run a beginner band program called The Undercurrents, but they could only offer it if there are at least 15 people interested. She said if people would like to find out more information about that program they could contact CMS through their website.
Registration for one ensemble is $250 and Kaczmer said if people are interested in more than one then it is an extra $100 for the second ensemble.
She said that people are invited to check out a few rehearsals before they officially sign up, but recommends not signing up too late as the groups will have moved too far ahead.
Those interested but unable to attend the registration night, can contact CMS through the website at cochranemusic.ca.
