IMPORTANT INFO

**REGISTRATION FOR THE WINTER 2025 ORCHESTRA SESSION IS NOW CLOSED*

CCSO has orchestra rehearsals that take place during a Fall session (mid September until mid December) and a Winter session (mid January until mid March). The Winter 2025 session will begin on January 7, 2025 and will run until March 11, 2025

Our two hour orchestra rehearsals occur once a week, on Tuesday evenings, from 7:30 p.m. - 9:45 p.m and run for a total of 10 weeks per session (plus a wrap-up concert)

All rehearsals are located at:

Central Memorial High School – Room 173 (Enter by bay door #3 at back of school)
5111 21 Street SW
Calgary, Alberta

Music stands are provided at rehearsals. Seats will be assigned, and we may change seats between rehearsals

Most rehearsals begin with instrument specific sections led by some of Calgary’s finest musicians

After a short 15 minute snack break, we rehearse as a full orchestra. On occasion, guest conductors and coaches are invited to allow us to enjoy new ideas and styles of teaching and conducting

Our final rehearsal before our concert will be held at Central Memorial High School on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. No need to wear concert blacks. We will run through all of our pieces in order.

Our winter concert will take place on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. at St. David’s United Church, 3303 Capitol Hill Crescent NW

Our wrap up concert is open for all to attend! All we ask is that you bring a non-perishable food item for donation to the food bank (there will be a table set up in the gathering area)

**Orchestra members: you will need to bring you own music stand for the concert. Please wear concert black attire**

The Orchestra signs a “release of liability” waiver required by the venue on behalf of all that will be in attendance

CCSO hosts our annual open house every year in early September, at 7:30 p.m., at Central Memorial High School. Existing and potential new members are all welcome to come out for some snacks, learn some information about the orchestra, and enjoy a just-for-fun, play-in session with other string players. Bring your instrument with you. Music stands and chairs are provided

Cost: free of charge

The open house will be held in room 173, at Central Memorial High School (5111 21 Street SW, Calgary, Alberta)

Please park in the parking lot at the BACK of the high school and enter through bay door #3. This will take you to Room 173)

In order to come to the open house, join the Google Classroom (that will be posted closer to the date), read the information there, and print the parts specific to your instrument!

Please note: Our fall session often fills up before the open house.

If we are unable to fit you in this session, please plan to register for our winter session instead! There is also a waitlist we will ask you to join in case a spot opens up for you before the winter session

We have been honoured to work with the following guest conductors and coaches:

Conductor: Tom Megee, Shirley Wright, Jason Erhardt, John Thompson

Violin: Brigit Knecht, Sanja Suplevska, Barb Smith, Mary Jane Vandekerkhove, Steve Lubiarz, Rob Penner, Elisa Milner, Eileen Kosasih, James Desautels, Louise Stuppard, Janna Sailor

Viola: Ronelle Schaufele, John Thompson, Megan Singer, Heather Heron, Rachel Kratofil

Cello: Andrea Case, Tom Megee, Shirley Wright, Jason Erhardt, Jeff Faragher

Bass: Graeme Mudd, Ross Lemon, Sheila Garrett, Patrick Staples

Contact us if you have any questions about our orchestra sessions!