Victoria Philharmonic Choir


The Victoria Philharmonic Choir is an 80-voice auditioned choir based in Victoria, British Columbia. Conducted since 2009, by artistic director Peter Butterfield, the choir performs a wide range of a cappella and accompanied music, and collaborates with or performs with community and professional vocal soloists and musicians, including the Victoria Symphony.

History

The Victoria Philharmonic Choir was created June 2005, as a non-profit performing arts organization. April 2009, music director Peter Butterfield was appointed. Founding artistic director Simon Capet led the choir from June 2005 to January 2009.

Music

Victoria Philharmonic Choir performs, on average, four concert events each season. The concerts include a variety of accompanied and unaccompanied mixed voice choral pieces. The choral repertoire is designed by artistic director Peter Butterfield in collaboration with choir manager, Sherry LePage. The VPC performs a community Christmas Carol Sing-a-Long each year. As well, the VPC hosts an annual "Summer Voices" learning event, a week long choral workshop that culminates in a live performance, usually scheduled in the first or second week of July.
Among the works performed by the Victoria Philharmonic Choir are: Carmina Burana by Carl Orff, Ode on St. Cecillia's Day by George Frederic Handel, Bach's St Matthew Passion, Verdi's Requiem, by Karl Jenkins, Convoy PQ 17 by Christopher Butterfield, Vespro della Beata Vergine by Monteverdi, Haydn's Theresienmesse and Mozart's Requiem.

Collaborations

This choir has been involved in many musical collaborations with noted artists such as: the Band Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Victoria Symphony conducted by Tania Miller, the Victoria Civic Orchestra, dance troupe Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie and the Victoria Choral Society.