About Nanaimo Sings!

Nanaimo Sings! is a catalyst for collaboration between choirs and quality choral events in our city.  Committed to creating “community through song”, Nanaimo Sings! has provided a tangible demonstration of the extent, diversity and calibre of choral singing in this area.  Sixteen choral groups in Nanaimo and the surrounding areas of Lantzville, Cedar, Yellowpoint, Ladysmith and Gabriola Island form the choral partnership of Nanaimo Sings!  Singers range in age from five to young-at-heart octogenarians.

Our mandate is to

• build networks between the choirs in our community
• strengthen and enhance quality choral music experiences in our community
• highlight and further develop choral opportunities for the community at large
• showcase our choirs

Our Festivals

The first major Nanaimo Sings! project was a three-day choral festival on October 16, 17 and 18, 2008 during which fourteen choirs came together as partners to present a cultural experience that had never been offered before in this area.  Nearly 400 singers participated in Festival 2008 and over 1700 people attended one or more of seven concerts that were held over the three days. The Gala Concert at the Port Theatre on October 18 was hosted by Joëlle Rabu and showcased all choirs performing both individually and en masse. The massed choir performed a specially commissioned piece written and conducted by respected British Columbia composer, Larry Nickel and accompanied by Devon Joiner.   For an overview of Festival 2008, see our Photo Gallery.

Festival 2011, the second Nanaimo Sings! choral festival, was held April 7-9, 2011 with sixteen choirs participating.  Nine concerts were presented over three days with over 2000 patrons attending one or more of the concerts.  The Gala on April 9 was an awesome event featuring all choirs performing both individually and en masse. With CBC’s Shelagh Rogers as our host and Bruce Pullan present to conduct nearly 400 singers in the massed choir grand finale, it was a night to remember.  For a glimpse of this spectacular event, check out our 2011 Photo Gallery.

Between Festivals

Through its website and regular email updates, Nanaimo Sings! serves as an ongoing communication vehicle to publicize Nanaimo Sings! events, to help choirs publicize their events and to inform the community-at-large of upcoming concerts.

Looking Back: 
In September, 2009, Nanaimo Sings! collaborated with the BC Choral Federation to present a choir management workshop which was attended by people from all parts of the Island from Victoria to Campbell River and Port Alberni.
 
A spring “Choral Tune-Up” workshop facilitated by renowned clinician, Bruce Pullan was held in February, 2010.

Looking Ahead: 
On February 18, 2012 Nanaimo Sings! is pleased to present “A Vocal Winterlude” with workshops for both women and men.  Morna Edmundson and Elektra will present the women’s workshop and Jim Sparks will facilitate the men’s workshop. This will be our chance to “Elektra-fy” and add “Spark-le” to our voices!  At 7:00 pm, Elektra will perform at St. Andrew’s United Church.  Nanaimo Sings! extends its appreciation to SMBC (Spectacular Music BC) and Windsor Plywood for their support for this event. Check the Upcoming Events page for more detail. 

May, 2013 will be a very exciting time as Nanaimo Sings! hosts Chorfest, the flagship event of the BC Choral Federation.  This is our opportunity to welcome singers from all parts of British Columbia for three days of inspiration and singing. Be sure to check back for details about this thrilling event as they emerge.

The next Nanaimo Sings! Festival will be held in the fall of 2014.  Please check back regularly for information about Nanaimo Sings! activities as it comes available

Our organization

The work of Nanaimo Sings! is accomplished through the contributions of many volunteers.  A Planning Committee consisting of five Nanaimo Sings! Directors plus other volunteers consults regularly with representatives of member choirs to bring Nanaimo Sings! projects to fruition. A copy of the Nanaimo Sings! Constitution and Bylaws is available upon request.

Nanaimo Sings! Directors:

• Linda Dier
• James Duthie
• Doug Muir
• Marian Smith
• Lionel Tanod