Our Story

In spring of 2009, an ad-hoc group of singers gathered to prepare for the choir’s first performances at Gilmore Park United Church in Richmond and UBC’s Chapel of the Epiphany. This first concert was called “Into Paradise” and was a celebration of our shared love for the earth and for the astounding beauty that surrounds us here on the West Cost. We performed a wide range of music from the popular song “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon and Garfunkel to the traditional motet “Sicut Cervus” by Palestrina. Highlights in this concert were Eric Whitacre’s “Cloudburst” and Corlis’ “In Paradisum” featuring guest soloists Willem Moolenbeek and Boyd McDonald. At both venues, our audience offered standing ovations – we took this as encouragement to continue.

The choir is now still growing and still searching for opportunities to reach out across divisions, to nurture hope, to lament the violence in our world, and to share joy through music.