Create a new centre
A JMC Centre in your city? Why not!
What is a Jeunesses Musicales Centre?
A JMC Centre is, above all, a group of people who care deeply about presenting musical performances in their region. These individuals and music-lovers, present from coast to coast across the country, are volunteers who come together and work collectively to promote, present, and organize concerts that are part of Jeunesses Musicales tours. In keeping with the dream of Gilles Lefebvre, the movement’s founder, these volunteers aim to preserve the tradition in their area of the country, and/or to establish a concert series in a new region. Considered to be both the heart and the engine driving the organization, JMC Centre members wish to further an appreciation for classical music among the greatest possible number of people while offering high quality concerts to their communities.
In practical terms, to be recognized as a JMC Centre, this group of volunteers must organize a series of evening concerts (Desjardins Concerts). Each centre’s committee members handle the selling of subscriptions (to a series of four concerts) and concert tickets, as well as promotion (putting up posters, local media relations, etc.). Members can also work towards finding sponsors and financial or service donations. The Communications Department at the JMC National Office collaborates closely to ensure the promotion and success of the concerts presented by the Centres, notably through:
- The production of printed promotional material
- The writing of press releases
- Providing media relations support, when needed
The official JMC website is also an outstanding tool for the promotion and presentation of concerts.
Ready for adventure? Want to feature Canada’s new generation of artists in a venue in your city or region? Nothing could be easier…
The Desjardins Concerts series is presented in the evening in outlying regions and in major urban centres. Through this truly unique offer, your community can benefit from high calibre concerts by the country’s finest emerging artists at a very affordable price.
Concert venue – rental
A JMC Centre can choose to rent a venue at its own expense, whether it is a professional concert hall, a semi-professional venue, or a church.
Partnership between a JMC Centre and a presenter
The presenter’s* involvement can vary, depending on the agreement. For example, a presenter may offer a box office service, share the costs of a technician, offer the necessary infrastructures and/or be responsible for promotion. The presenter therefore presents classical music concerts in his region, meeting the public’s needs and benefitting from the support of a JMC committee to increase the promotion of the event and ticket sales. This ensures that an audience will be in attendance. Most presenters have their own concert venue, or are associated with a venue or church.
*Definition: a presenter purchases concerts from outside organizations (such as JMC, for example) in order to offer artistic programming to its clientele. The presenter then promotes the shows, offers a box office service, and provides the required technical and logistical support during performances.
Church
Technical equipment in churches is often very basic or even non-existent. Lighting effects for the opera performance can therefore sometimes be more limited. However, churches’ natural acoustics and captivating sound qualities add a magical element to concert performances.
Concert hall sponsorship
A JMC Centre may also benefit from a concert hall sponsorship, providing use of the hall free of charge or at a reduced rate, and/or with no technical fees.
Join forces…
- with a presenter and share the financial investment. You can thereby save on concert hall rental costs. Show the presenter how he will benefit from an association with a solid team of volunteers who will promote the concerts and, at the same time, contribute to the sale of subscriptions and concert tickets.
- with a municipality that can include your concerts as part of its regular programming.
- with a music organization such as: a music school (the concerts can have a motivating effect on the school’s students), ensemble, choir, etc. This association can take the form of an exchange of services (such as the possibility of creating workshops before or after the concerts).
A few advantages of forming —or of being a part of— a JMC Centre:
- You will receive the JMC Newsletter 2 times per year. The Newsletter—distributed exclusively to members of the JMC network—provides complete information about upcoming activities, and shares innovative ideas that can be of use to other centres. This Newsletter is a communications tool that is most appreciated by the great JMC movement as a whole.
- JMC news by email.
- JMC Annual Congress: an annual meeting of members, which includes the members’ annual general assembly, information and training workshops, concerts, artistic showcases of the programming for upcoming seasons, and sightseeing activities.
- Awards for volunteers who have worked for the movement for several years.
- Opportunity to get involved as a member of the Board of Directors or as a member of the Life of the Movement committee.
- You will give your community the opportunity to discover exceptionally talented young artists.
- You will promote art and culture within your community, and thereby allow a greater number of artists to develop and practice their art.
A season of JMC concerts brings a culturally rich and dynamic component to many cities and regions of the country. Several communities have developed friendly relationships and now share their passion for music. Classical music brings great joy to those who listen to it… In addition to having positive effects on both young and old alike, music appeases, calms, and strengthens the heart and soul.
Looking forward to soon welcoming you into the great Jeunesses Musicales family!