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The year 2003 marks the 40th anniversary of Cosmopolitan Music Society (CMS) of Edmonton, This well-known and respected community band has enjoyed a lively history.
The society originated as a 26 -member ensemble under the direction of the Edmonton trumpeter and conductor, Leonard Whiteley. Leonard and Harry Pinchin had been friends for many years as members of the Canadian Armed Forces bands and, when Harry moved to Edmonton in 1964, Leonard invited him to conduct the band on numerous occasions. When Leonard retired and relocated to the west coast, Harry was appointed conductor.
Coincidentally, the current CMS President, Bill MacKay, was a member of the original band. Back then, the new band was in need of scores and parts, music stands, and percussion equipment. Bill was successful in obtaining funding for these items from the Cosmopolitan Club of Edmonton, a local service club of which he was a member and past president. Continuing financial support from the club resulted in the band becoming known as the Cosmopolitan Club Band.
The Treasurer of the Cosmopolitan Club throughout that period was Ben Banks, the father of Senator Tommy Banks. Tommy and Harry were long-time friends, having first performed together in 1956. This association and Ben Banks' sincere appreciation for the band project contributed in no small way to the support given by the Cosmopolitan Club over many years.
The band grew in numbers and soon doubled in size. Before long a second, "junior" band was formed, but Harry and his busy group of volunteer committees were not through yet. A formal proposal was presented to the Cosmopolitan Club outlining the details for the development of a full-fledged youth and amateur adult instrumental-music program. The Club agreed to support the new proposal. In 1967, an organization unique in all of Canada became a reality, with Harry Pinchin appointed as music director and program administrator.
Within a few years, the Cosmopolitan Music Program consisted of three concert bands (Red, Blue, and Green), a jazz band, a concert studio orchestra, and music theory classes which were scheduled on Saturday afternoons. In 1967, the Canadian Centennial Commission sponsored the first-ever national band competition held in Canada. Three adjudicators, from England, France,...
