VIA CHORALIS was founded in 1999 by Elizabeth Shannon and from 2005-2019 was directed by Nicholas Fairbank. Jody Onuma directed the choir from 2020-2024, and Kathryn Whitney was the Artistic Director in the 2024-25 Season. Longtime pianist for the choir has been Yousef Shadian.
From September 2025, Grant Harville will be the Artistic Director, with Kinza Tyrrell as the choir pianist.
Programming is eclectic; the choir performs a wide repertoire ranging from Renaissance madrigals and choral classics to contemporary Canadian repertoire. Besides our own concerts, Via Choralis has also enjoyed working with other choirs and performing groups in the Capital Region.
You are welcome
If you would like to sing with us, write to Delia McCrae, our choir president to learn more: president@viachoralis.ca
We rehearse most Monday evenings, September to May, 7:00-9:00pm at St Elizabeth Church, 10030 Third Street in Sidney.
Identity Statement:
Via Choralis is a mixed-voice community choir with a passion for singing, located on the Saanich Peninsula. From September to April each year we rehearse and perform a broad repertoire ranging from medieval to contemporary, including major works with orchestra.
Mission Statement:
Via Choralis Performance Society strives to enrich lives and cultivate community through choral music. To achieve this, we:
- invite members of the community to join us in weekly rehearsals and seasonal concerts.
deliver high quality choral music to the community through performance of public concerts and outreach events. - encourage performance of contemporary Canadian compositions as well as a wide range of choral music, classical to modern.
- provide opportunities for music students and young professional performers to participate in our various musical and performance-related programmes.
- promote exposure of our activities to the public through the media and public events.
thereby ensuring the vitality of choral music for future generations.
Via Choralis often sings at community events, arts festival, in retirement homes and hospitals. If you would like us to perform at a special location or event, or if you’d like to make a donation, please Contact Us.
Via Choralis Performance Society is a registered Charity (859789737 RR 0001). Tax receipts can be issued for all donations.