Who would have thought that, 50 years after its founding, the Malaspina Choir would still be performing a challenging and diverse repertoire? Yet our large, mixed-voice community choir presents choral masterpieces from down the centuries to the present day. While our emphasis is on classical works, we include genres such as folk and jazz.
Our role in Nanaimo’s civic and ceremonial life began with the opening of the Malaspina University College (now VIU) in 1976, followed by a performance for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 1983. We gave Nanaimo its official song for its 125th birthday (2006) and helped open the 2009 BC Seniors Games. To encourage younger musicians, we invited three local school choirs and band plus two VIU student ensembles to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017, and were awarded a Canada Heritage grant for this initiative.
Highlights of the last three years included the Verdi Requiem, Brahm’s Ein deutsches Requiem, and Britten’s Saint Nicolas. For works such as these, the choir collaborates with the Nanaimo Chamber Orchestra and professional musicians as required. Soloists are hired professionals or are drawn from choir members. When children are required for a work, we invite the participation of the Nanaimo Youth Choir. The Malaspina Choir presents an annual Messiah, usually in sing-along format with professional soloists.
We are pleased to collaborate with other choirs in the community in local choral festivals such as Nanaimo Sings!, Anysing Goes and the Community Carol Festival.
This year marks the retirement of artistic director, Lionel Tanod, and the appointment of Fiona Blackburn. Fiona is an experienced choral director, singer and music teacher who holds a Masters degree in choral conducting. In 2016 she was awarded the BC Choral Federation’s Healey Willan Award.
Programming in the first half of 2020 was sadly interrupted by Covid-19. All being well on the medical front, we look forward with excitement to our 50th anniversary gala concert in November.
Director: Fiona Blackburn
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