ABOUT VIVA CHOIRS

Viva exists to enrich artistically the lives of the singers, their families and the community. Singers are challenged to attain choral excellence; develop commitment, confidence, and self-discipline; experience the beauty of folk and art music; and bring joy to themselves and to their audiences. Viva believes that singing should be available to all children.

The Viva hummingbird logo was created by West Coast Native artist Victor Newman. The design incorporates aspects of the three First Nations who settled Vancouver Island: Kwakwaka’wakw (outline), Coast Salish (inside body), and Nuu Chah Nulth (wolf in wing).

VIVA HISTORY

Viva Choirs was founded in 1988, as the Greater Victoria Youth Choir, by Connie Foss More in affiliation with the Victoria Conservatory of Music and a parent board. In February of 1994, the organization became a separate society (Victoria Youth Choirs Society) along with PRIMA Youth Choir, which is now part of the University of Victoria. In 2008, the organization was renamed the Viva Youth Choirs Society of Victoria. Membership is open to all children in the Capital Region, treble-voiced and with changing and changed voices, who are between six and eighteen years old.

Viva has received many honours since 1988. Some highlights are:

In March of 1997, the Tour Choir accepted a Silver Diploma in an international festival in Budapest, Hungary, and also performed in Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral, as well as in Munich and Vienna.
We attended the 2001 World of Children’s Choirs in Vancouver and hosted international concerts here in Victoria with choirs from Ontario, Mexico, the Czech Republic and New Zealand.
In 2002 Viva was selected to sing for Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee visit to the BC Parliament Buildings and in the Spring the Tour Choir went on tour to southern England and Wales.
In May 2006, the Chorale was chosen to perform in the opening concert for ChorPodium, the conference of the national Association of Canadian Choral Conductors (ACCC) and as part of the BC Honour Choir at the combined BC Choral Federation (BCCF) “Chorfest”.
Viva’s 20th anniversary CD, “Winter Gifts”, received a flattering review by the Association of Canadian Choral Conductors.
On Nov 1 2008, Concert Choir members performed as guests of the National Arts Centre Orchestra at Victoria’s Royal Theatre.
On Oct 30, 2009 thirty Viva singers participated in the opening Olympic Torch ceremonies in Victoria, singing in the premiere of Gregory Charles' "There's a LIght".
In April, 2010 the Chorale was awarded the Victoria Commonwealth Community Choir Shield, for 'outstanding communty youth or show choir' at the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival.