The Victoria Choral Society has belted its heart out through the better part of the last century, and this year it is celebrating a 90-year history that began with a meeting of church choristers in Victoria in 1934.
"At a time when most singing was happening in churches, a group of about 300 people came together and performed Handel's Messiah, and those singers primarily came from church choirs all over Victoria," said the society's music director Brian Wismath, who has led the choir since 2012.
The 300 vocalists soon created the Victoria Choral Union, which became the Victoria Choral Society in 1952.
The passion for choral music that brought these people together nearly a century ago is also what helps the society flourish today.
“Every week at rehearsal, I hear from someone who speaks to what a meaningful experience it is,” said Wismath. “One of the reasons why we keep doing it is because I think we have a huge impact on people's lives.”
Another key ingredient in the society's success: community.
“90 years ... speaks to the power of the organization's community, and choral music is really all about community,” said Wismath. “Providing the space for choristers to come together every week ... to share in something that is meaningful to each of those people – I think that is really where the staying power comes from."
Donors and audience members, too, have helped prop the society up over the years
Since its inception, the society has performed 378 times, according to Wismath. On Nov. 16, it will celebrate its long history and impact on lovers of choral music with a performance of Mozart’s famed work, Requiem, at the Christchurch Cathedral, 930 Burdett Ave.
Tickets to the concert have sold out, but the society will broadcast the concert live here: christchurchcathedral.bc.ca/live.
