The Westwinds Music
Society, initially called the Calgary Music Society, was
formed in
Calgary on
October 8,
1988.
The founding members were two visionaries,
entrepreneurs Peter and Ildi Paulson and two music
directors, Dennis Orr and Rod Pauls. One band was
formed with 71 members and rehearsals were held once a
week at
Crescent
Heights
High
School.
Since then, the name has
been changed to the Westwinds Music Society. It has grown to
include 14 concert, jazz and choir groups and the
membership has risen to over 400 members under the
guidance of 13 directors. It has been
called a “unique adult music organization in
North America” by several guest
adjudicators from the
U.S.
It is also unique in the
Calgary area
because of its dedication to several goals. These
include a learning and teaching process at various skill
levels, top quality musical education to maintain a
standard of excellence, peer encouragement in a
supportive environment and best of all, the opportunity
to perform in public.
This not-for-profit
adult community organization is funded and operated by
and for its members. Its growth and success depends on
member support and participation. Our Society
includes the Members, the Directors and its Artistic
Director, an elected Executive Board, an Executive
Committee, and an Executive Assistant, each with
specific roles and responsibilities.
As members, we have a
responsibility to volunteer for tasks required by our
Group Manager and our Coordinator Chairs, and to
participate fully in the election process and then
support our elected officials in their ongoing
duties.
To this end, we ask that
you as a member, value these goals and make a commitment
in some small way to the growth of our
organization.
