Victoria Choral Society

Our mental health is so important, especially during these times. You can support #bellletstalkday by watching singer Michael Buble’s antics today. Let’s all do what we can to keep the conversation going and help those who are struggling. Bell Let's Talk

Tomorrow (Tuesday) marks our second interview in our six-part series. Join us as singer, choral director and voice teacher Kathryn Whitney interviews conductor, countertenor and Order of Canada recipient Daniel Taylor. These sessions are free and everyone is welcome to join us! Visit www.victoriachoralsociety.ca/concerts/ for the link to join via Zoom and to see the rest of our stellar line up. #yyjmusic #yyjarts #choir #symphonicchoir #orderofcanada #classicalmusic #conductor #countertenor

Head on over to YouTube to check out the recording of Daniel Taylor’s interview with world-renowned conductor and former CBC radio host Howard Dyck. This video will only be available until January 31st, so don’t delay! https://youtu.be/RkZypFYWJTk

Join us this evening at 7PM PST as we kick off our interview series hosted by @danieltaylortem! Tonight he’s joined by Conductor and former CBC radio host Howard Dyck. . Visit www.victoriachoralsociety.ca/concerts for the link . #virtualchoir #yyjarts #victoriabc #symphonicchoir #conductor #choir #canadianchoirs

Join us for our upcoming interview series! . Hosted by world-renowned Conductor and recipient of the Order of Canada, Daniel Taylor, our six part virtual interview series brings these celebrated guests right into your home . Running on select Tuesday evenings from 7PM-8PM PST, our first interview runs on ... January 19 with Conductor and former CBC Radio Host Howard Dyck. Visit https://www.victoriachoralsociety.ca/concerts/ for more info on how to join us. . . #virtualchoir #yyjarts #choir #symphonicchoir #artsinterview #canadianchoir #yyj #orderofcanada #music #earlymusiceducation

Thank you Lynne Young for sharing the King's SIngers Lockdown Videos with us! Make sure you tune in to listen to: Down to the River to Pray; Billy Joel: And so it goes (with Stay At Home Choir) and Thomas Tallis: If ye love me. Beautiful!!

If you haven't, check out Canadian pianist Angela Hewitt's daily micro-concerts on Twitter (@HewittJSB). Early birds can see her perform live at London's Wigmore Hall June 25 at (ulp!) 5:00 am Pacific. Night owls: fear not, you can watch the recording afterward too.

Live performance alert! While full concert halls remain on the horizon, last week masked musicians from the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal gathered (six feet apart, of course) onstage for an online concert of Mozart and Dvorak in Montreal. Video starts at 8:35. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2774791882755691

Dear Patrons and Supporters of Victoria Choral Society, Typically at this time of the year we would be contacting you to share our concert plans for the coming season including engagements with the Victoria Symphony as well as self-produced concerts. But when daily reports from the Provincial Minister of Health and physical distancing have become the norm, this time of year is anything but typical! Although the Victoria Choral Society has not yet announced our concert plans f...or the 2020-2021 season, we now know that performances with the Victoria Symphony, and on our own, will not be possible for some time. All arts groups that perform to large audiences are significantly impacted by the potential spread of COVID-19 and the Victoria Choral Society is no exception. Our ensemble is included in Phase 4 of British Columbia’s Restart Plan in which gatherings of more than 50 people will not be permitted until there is a vaccine, community immunity, or broad successful treatments. Additionally, data shows that singing sends significant amounts of droplets into the air, and that no venue or ventilation system can adequately provide a safe enough space to accommodate rehearsals or performances. Given these factors, and consideration for everyone’s safety, it is believed that the Victoria Choral Society will not be able to gather in person to rehearse or perform until at least May 2021 and possibly as late as November 2021. During these challenging times we look to the arts and music, specifically, to provide healing, relief and a sense of hope. The Victoria Choral Society has been at the heart of Victoria’s vibrant arts culture for more than 85 years and we have no intention of being silent. We are in the process of developing innovative and artistically meaningful activities that will allow our choristers to safely continue building skills until we can perform for you again, in person! We will be in touch soon to let you know of our plans and how you can participate. We sincerely thank you for your continued support and we look forward to finding new ways to sing, for the joy of it! Members of the VCS Board and Brian Wismath, Music Director