From Victoria to London

MUSIC NEWS

Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria, BC

Young Singers Prepare for a Life-Changing Experience

Fresh from their recent collaboration with the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, the Cathedral Choir, Youth Choir, and Young Choristers have been invited to England in July to sing services in St Paul’s Cathedral, London and Lincoln Cathedral. The tour will place these young singers within the heart of the Anglican choral tradition while also allowing them to bring the music of local composers to these world-renowned sacred spaces.

The last international choir tour was in 2023, when the group sang in St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, St George's, Windsor and Westminster Abbey (pictured). Read more about that tour HERE.

To make the tour accessible to all singers, Christ Church Cathedral has launched a community fundraising campaign to offset the cost of travel and participation. The goal is simple: accessibility – that every chorister who earns a place on the tour can participate regardless of financial circumstance. The campaign is part of Say Yes! to Kids 2026, a national initiative of the Anglican Foundation of Canada that supports youth ministry, leadership, and transformational opportunities in churches and communities across Canada.

“This is about much more than travel,” said Donald Hunt, Christ Church Cathedral’s Director of Music. “It is about giving young people the chance to discover what they are capable of through music, friendship, discipline, and shared purpose. Experiences like this stay with them for life.”

Christ Church Cathedral’s chorister program is recognized for its high standard of musical training and its commitment to nurturing young people in a supportive and inspiring environment. Participants develop confidence, teamwork, leadership skills, and a lifelong love of music through worship, rehearsals, concerts, and community life.

“Our young singers work incredibly hard and bring so much joy to the world around them,” Hunt said. “This campaign is a chance for the wider community to invest in them and help open doors that might otherwise be out of reach.”

Nanaimo service St Pauls and CCC choir choir tour

Last summer, the choir toured Vancouver Island, with stops in Nanaimo, Courtenay, Port McNeill, Parksville, and Sointula. Read more about that tour HERE.

As the only participating Say Yes! to Kids team from the Diocese of British Columbia this year, the Cathedral hopes supporters across Greater Victoria and beyond will rally behind the campaign. Community members, local businesses, schools, and churches are invited to participate by donating, sharing the campaign, displaying posters, or hosting a Say Yes! to Kids Sunday fundraiser.

Over the next few weeks, we'll be featuring our young singers and their families and "teams" (see below). Donations can be dedicated to a specific team member by selecting that team's name in the "Assign to a Participant" menu. Alternatively, donations can be unassigned by leaving the field as "no participant selected."

Please note that donations to any of our teams will be shared equitably across all travelers in need of financial assistance.

Donate Now

Chorister Family Feature

Choristers Kellan King's College Cambridge

Philippa Carrie says Yes! to the chorister program

"Being part of the chorister program at Christ Church Cathedral has been a meaningful journey for our Kellan and our entire family. What began as an opportunity to learn music has grown into a transformative experience for Kellan - he has progressed from being mentored by older choristers to stepping confidently into leadership himself, developing maturity, discipline, and a strong sense of responsibility along the way.

"The musical training is exceptional, offering him the chance to perform at a high level, including collaborations with world-class ensembles and prepare for the upcoming residency at St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

Just as importantly, the choir has given him a true sense of belonging and camaraderie, forming friendships across age groups and becoming part of a supportive, inspiring community. As parents, we too have felt welcomed into this community, making the experience not just enriching for him, but for our whole family."

Support Philippa's Team

A Possible New Model to Support Choral Music Education in Victoria?

In our last issue, Director of Music Donald Hunt reflected on the visit from the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, and discussed some exciting music education programs run out of UK cathedrals. He wrote:

"I invite you to dream with me. The Cathedral’s reputation for excellence in music education makes it an ideal place to ignite passion for music and performance where young people can soar higher than they ever thought imaginable with instructors and musicians of distinction.

"We are still in the early stages of achieving this vision, but I can feel a buzz in the air after last weekend’s exhilarating performances by the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge. I believe that the enduring legacy of their visit could be a bold next step for the future of music education in Victoria. Join me in making that vision a reality."

To read full article, click here:

Full Article

Choristers Maya King's College Cambridge

Liturgical Music this Week

Sunday May 3

Fifth Sunday of Easter

9.15 a.m. Holy Eucharist

Setting: Thorne Gloria; Murray A New Peoples' Mass

11.00 a.m. Choral Eucharist*

Prelude: Darke Chorale Prelude on the tune "St Peter"

Setting: Thorne Gloria; Jackson in G

Anthem: Steel Thou art the way

Voluntary: Langlais Postlude I

4.00 p.m. Diocesan Confirmations*

Prelude: Mendelssohn Largo, Andante & Andante con moto from Sonata no. 5

Setting: Jonathan Dove Missa Brevis

Anthems: Donald Hunt How lovely is thy dwelling place; Harris Most glorious Lord of life

Voluntary: Mendelssohn Allegro maestoso from Sonata no. 5.

Wednesday May 6

5.00 p.m. Choral Evensong

Responses: Radcliffe

Setting: Joanna Forbes L'Estrange King's College Service

Anthem: Thatcher Come, ye faithful

Voluntary: J.S. Bach Adagio in C, BWV 564ii

For our full Worship & Music listing, visit our website.

*Livestreamed online

Upcoming Musical Events

CapriCCio Vocal Ensemble

Illuminare – Wings of Silence

SATURDAY, MAY 2, 3.00 P.M.

Shedding light on beauty, fragility, and the silenced voices of our natural world. With the Emily Carr String Quartet and featuring Christopher Tin’s The Lost Birds – an elegy for vanished species and a powerful plea for the earth’s fragile future.

Tickets at capriccio.ca

Podium Choral Conference & Festival

Canada’s national choral conference and festival comes to Victoria. Two of the eight festival concerts will be hosted at Christ Church Cathedral.

Concert #4: National Youth Choir of Canada

FRIDAY, MAY 15, 8.00 P.M.

Concert #6: Chronos Vocal Ensemble & Vancouver Chamber Choir

SATURDAY, MAY 16, 8.00 P.M.

Festival passes and individual tickets available at podium2026.ca

Lunchtime Music: Hannah Craig and Monica Pfau

FRIDAY, MAY 29, 12.30 P.M.

Cellist Hannah Craig and pianist Monica Pfau play a program of music by Schumann, Beethoven, and Prokofiev.

Admission by donation.

Victoria Philharmonic Choir

Haydn’s The Seasons

SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 7.30 P.M.

The Victoria Philharmonic presents Haydn's beautiful oratorio The Seasons with talented international soloists, orchestra, and choir. Conducted by Peter Butterfield.

Tickets at vpchoir.tickit.ca

Beer and Hymns!

FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 7.30 P.M.

An old-fashioned hymn sing with a twist! Support the work of the cathedral through an evening of hymn singing with a side of beer (and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic libations!)

Admission by donation.