The Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria, is pleased to share its plans for a concert tour of Vancouver Island this summer. From June 25 to 29, 2025, the Cathedral Choir, Youth Choir, and Young Choristers are excited to embark on a four-day tour of the Diocese of Islands and Inlets, taking them all the way to Port McNeill with stops in Nanaimo and Courtenay-Comox.
Until February, the semi-professional ensemble – which sang in Westminster Abbey in 2023 – had been planning to embark on another international adventure, this time to San Francisco. However, when the US government announced tariffs against Canada and Premier David Eby advised caution when travelling to the USA, the group had a difficult decision to make.
“It was a tough call at the time,” says Director of Music Donald Hunt, “but in retrospect, it was the right one. Not only are our travelers genuinely looking forward to encountering some of BC’s natural beauty and meeting people from all over Vancouver Island, but as we continue to witness mounting political tensions south of the border, the uneasiness we felt back in February about travel to the states has only grown.”
Concert venues will include St John the Divine, Courtenay (June 25), the Gatehouse Theatre, Port McNeill (June 27), and Old City Arts Hub (St Andrew’s United), Nanaimo (June 29). On Sunday, June 29 in the morning, the choir is excited to participate in the dedication festival of St Paul’s Church, Nanaimo. The choir will sing a varied program of music including Antonio Vivaldi’s Magnificat and Bob Chilcott’s A Little Jazz Mass.
“This is a truly enjoyable concert program that we all really love singing,” said Hunt, “and we’re confident that you’ll enjoy listening to it too! The Cathedral Choirs are blessed to regularly make music in the stunning Christ Church Cathedral, but this summer we’re looking forward to singing in some new places.”
As spiritual centre for the entire Anglican Diocese of Islands and Inlets and a musical centre in the heart of Victoria, Christ Church Cathedral has a very active choral program.
“I am excited both for the choristers to see the breadth and beauty of our diocese and also for the communities up island to be able to experience the world-class choral music that our cathedral offers.” said the The Right Reverend Anna Greenwood-Lee, Bishop of the Diocese of Islands and Inlets, “The human voice is a beautiful thing and choral music, when so many voices all join together to create beauty, can truly help us glimpse the divine.”
Performances
Wednesday, June 25 / 7.00pm
Church of St John the Divine, Courtney
579 5th Street, Courtenay
Friday, June 27 / 6.30pm
The Gate House Theatre, Port McNeill
Sunday, June 29 / 10.30am
St Paul’s Church, Nanaimo
100 Chapel Street, Nanaimo
(Participation in Feast of the Dedication Church Service)
Sunday, June 29 / 3.00pm
Old City Arts’ Hub (St Andrew’s Church), Nanaimo
315 Fitzwilliam St., Nanaimo