Group meetings
About the group
This group is a non-profit which means that all monies raised in excess of expenses will be redirected back to the group for the benefits of its members. Members will be adults (age 18+) learning music - all instruments, all levels and inclusive of all learners as long as the group member is taking private one-on-one lessons or is actively searching for the appropriate teacher.
When/Format
Group meetings are held twice a month and will have 2 components : 1) performance and 2) social discussion by group members. Each meeting will always open with a quick check-in with each member (about 60 or 90 seconds). If a guest is attending their trial meeting, we will always open with introductions of all group members and a brief intro of everyone's music journey. During the quick check-ins, members facing some anxiety or angst will make it known to the chair so that those members will be given the first opportunity to speak during the discussion portion. Our first mandate is social and emotional support so this is of the utmost importance to us. After the check-ins, the performance portion will commence. All members are asked to stay for the entire performance portion and hear all members' performances. The discussion portion of the meeting, which is completely optional, will then proceed after all the members' performances.
Location
In-person group meetings are held at
76 Heritage Gate SE, Calgary AB T2H 3A7
This is where our in-person meetings usually take place but during May, June and December which are busy music recital months, the meetings will take place at a current member's home.
Performances
Performances by group members proceed before the discussion portion of the meetings. Group members are encouraged to introduce their pieces and discuss what they like about the piece. Performance participation is always optional. Our policy about the order of the performances will be as follows: 1) members at the lower levels perform first, then 2)those who are newest to the group can perform 3) members at the intermediate level perform next, and finally 4)members at the highest levels can perform last.
Covid response
The appearance of Covid19 in the world in 2020 forced us to pivot to Zoom in April 2020, so we could still meet despite the virus. All members agreed to increase the meeting frequency to twice a month. (We used to meet only monthly at Steinway in the past.) We grew closer due to the increased frequency as for many of us, it was our lifeline to combat the isolation imposed by Covid19. As more of us got vaccinated in 2021, we could meet again in person at Steinway Piano Gallery in Calgary but all of us still really enjoyed our Zoom meetings. So currently, we still continue to meet twice a month - we have a meeting in-person at Steinway and a one meeting via Zoom 2 weeks later.
We currently have members who do not live in Calgary and who meet with us exclusively via Zoom. We “Zoom” our in-person Steinway meetings so these out-of-town members can attend as well.
Membership
Our annual membership fee is currently $40 per person but in 2025, membership for non-Calgary members will increase $5 to $45 and for Calgary members, the fee will be increasing $15 to $55. Membership dues are used to pay for our Wix website and domain, Zoom license plan, and general liability insurance. An ALMSG membership entitles a member admission to all bi-weekly meetings for the entire year (24 in all)) and to any public performances or concerts that ALMSG organizes. Membership also entitles the member to first access to educational events organized by ALMSG at an additional and optional cost. Annual membership fees are collected during the course of the first month of the year. All fees must be paid by email e-transfer by the due date which is January 31st.
Potential new members who wish to join can participate in a trial meeting for free before deciding to join. This gives each new person an opportunity to meet current group members, experience the format of the meetings, and decide if they think the group would be a good fit and of benefit to them. On Sept 1st, the annual membership fee is reduced by 50 % - $22.50 for out of town members and $ 27.50 for Calgary members. This reduced price remains in effect for the remainder of the current year.
How to join
If you are interested in joining this peer-to-peer learning support group, please go to the contacts page and fill out the e-mail form. Please include a little about yourself and your own unique music journey. If you want to volunteer, please indicate on the form as well. If you are a person that is seriously thinking of taking up music again or for the first time, just fill in the instrument that you are thinking of learning and if you have previous learning and why you stopped. We are happy to provide the support you need to start or continue your music journey.