Our Music Director
The Board of Directors is very pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Jonathan Quick, B.Mus., B.Ed. as Music Director, effective October 2008. Jonathan guest conducted the October 19 concert. The choir is greatly looking forward to working with him and exploiting his many talents as a conductor, singer, composer, voice teacher and arranger.History of The Gallery Singers
In October 1968 a few people, mostly organists from Vancouver, British Columbia, met to discuss the formation of a choral group to explore the repertoire of music for small choirs, much of it little known and even less performed. Fred Carter, the organist at St. John’s church, Shaughnessy who had trained with Harold Darke, was the guiding hand and became director of the new group. A month later, Ted Quinton, the organist at Holy Trinity church, Vancouver, joined the others and remained a singing member of the choir for thirty-five years, retiring in 2004.
The first concert was performed by the twelve-member choir in December 1968 at St. John’s, Shaughnessy. The choir was without a name. Many suggested names were discussed including "Les Petits Chanteurs de Shaughnessy". (What a title!) However, as this first concert was performed from the gallery of St. John’s, "The Gallery Singers" was decided upon. Fred Carter quickly guided the choir to become one of Vancouver’s most prominent choral groups.
The Gallery Singers' current formation is a chamber choir of some twenty to twenty-four voices singing a capella. The choir’s repertoire ranges from sixteenth century music to the twentieth century with an emphasis on early music. From its founding, The Gallery Singers placed major focus on the repertoire of the English Renaissance. But the traditions of the European Renaissance were not neglected and a significant amount of time was spent studying the choral repertoire of the twentieth century. As a result, The Gallery Singers won numerous competitions at the CBC and Kiwanis Choral Festivals and during a tour of Britain they won a first and three second prizes at the International Eisteddfod.
Over the years, The Gallery Singers have performed a wide variety of music with styles ranging from profound sacred music to lighthearted folk songs, a diversity of musical styles that has characterized the history of the choir.
Fred Carter was Director for twenty-two years until he was forced to step down in 1991 for health reasons. Dr. Albert McLane then led the group until 2003, when he was succeeded by Mr. Derrick Christian, B.Mus., who led the choir for over four years. The current Director, Mr. Jonathan Quick was appointed in October 2008. Performing music of the diversity and style in the repertoire of the choir requires discipline and commitment from the singers and the same effort is required to capture the unique qualities of each piece, whether it is early music or later compositions. The success and longevity of The Gallery Singers owes much to its members who bring commitment to each performance whether rehearsal or concert.
The choir has a strong community spirit and performs at Christmas events in Vancouver such as The Festival of Lights at Van Dusen Botanical Gardens and carol singing at Granville Island. In the past two years the choir has also made a point of bringing their music to communities outside of Vancouver performing in White Rock, West Vancouver, Squamish and Chilliwack.
Current Choir Members
Sopranos: Leslie Gray, Kim Larsen, Joanne Stan Morgan, Denise Pugash, Sig Stark, Ruth Gill
Altos: Lynda Clarke, Aliza Nevarie, Jenny Riecken, Kate Willems Taylor, Florence Debarre
Tenors: Peter Swayne, Tim Vondette, Jim Wearing
Basses: Adrian Chantler, Barry Davids, Gerald Holt
If you are interested in joining the choir, please Click Here.