Vancouver Cantata Singers


The Vancouver Cantata Singers is an auditioned Canadian choir in Vancouver, British Columbia, founded in 1959 by organist and conductor Hugh McLean.
was first formed under the name the Philharmonic Choir in 1958 as a non-auditioned community chorus. The first performance took place on February 6, 1959 at Christ Church Cathedral with the choir performing Bach’s Mass in B Minor. Positive reviews from music critics and successful appearances on CBC Radio eventually inspired the chorus to become an auditioned semi-professional ensemble in the early 1970s when James Fankhauser began to lead the group, winning the Healey Willan Grand Prize in 1984 and a Juno Award nomination for Best Classical Album in 1994. From 2002 to 2012 the choir was headed by conductor Eric Hannan, who led the group to win the Healey Willan Grand Prize both in 2008 and 2011. In 2013, long-time VCS member Paula Kremer became artistic director, and in 2019 she led the group to several awards in the , again including Canada Council's .
Although the ensemble's name implies focus on music of the Baroque period, the Vancouver Cantata Singers also perform contemporary music, working frequently with local Canadian composers such as Jocelyn Morlock, Peter Hannan, , Imant Raminsh, Stephen Chatman, , , and they also perform pieces arranged by members of the choir.

Conductors

2013–present: Paula Kremer
2002–2012: Eric Hannan
2001-2002: Peter Butterfield
1995-2000: Tony Funk, Assistant Conductor - Associate Conductor, 2000/2001
1973-2000: James Fankhauser
1966-1973: John Wiebe
1957-1966: Hugh McLean

Composers in residence

2018–present:
2014–2017:

Recordings

2019: National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs
2011: National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs
2010: National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs
2008: National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs
1984: CBC National Radio Competition for Amateur Choirs
1994: Juno Nominee Best Classical Album, Venetian Vespers of 1640

Collaborations

Spinal Chord

From 2009 to 2016, Vancouver Cantata Singers and the held collaborative annual fundraisers to benefit spinal cord research and the arts through both non-profit organizations. The choir routinely performs at the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre at Vancouver General Hospital as a part of their relationship with ICORD.

Early Music Vancouver

Vancouver Cantata Singers regularly collaborates with , performing large-scale works with baroque orchestra including Handel's Theodora, Coronation Anthems, and Messiah.