STAFF & BOARD for 2011-2012Artistic Director & Conductor of the Chamber Choir and the Boys Choir: Nicholas Fairbank
After early studies in Vancouver Mr. Fairbank pursued advanced musical training in England and France. As well as earning Associateship diplomas from the Royal Conservatory of Music (gold medal winner for pipe organ, 1981), and the Royal Canadian College of Organists (Willan and Barker prizes, 1998), he has Masters degrees from the University of Paris (musicology and French literature), the University of California at Santa Barbara (French language and pedagogy) and the University of Victoria (music composition), winning the Martlet Music Award for Excellence in Advanced Composition. His works have been performed across Canada and in Europe. In April 2011 Viva, with Via Choralis choir and orchestra, premiered his Sea Cantata, written especially for the two choirs. ConductorsWest Shore Choirs: Arlene Overman Victoria Junior Choir and Girls Recent composition credits include an Ontario Arts Council grant supporting a large choral work for the La Jeunesse organization of choirs in Cobourg, ON; research and composition for the National Film Board of Canada; Composer-in-Residence for the women’s vocal ensemble Project Sing! (2005-2008); performance selection in North/South Consonance’s composition competition including premiere in New York City; works recorded on multiple commercial releases; and a host of choral commissions and performances including those by award winning Canadian conductor Jennifer Moir, Brainerd Blyden-Taylor and professional ensembles Rajaton and Nathaniel Dett Chorale. AccompanistsRosemary Laing (Chamber Choir) holds a degree in Music Education, as well as the Associateship Diploma from the Royal Canadian College of Organists. She teaches beginner and intermediate piano courses in the Faculty of Education at the University of Victoria, and has been Carillonneur of the Netherlands Centennial Carillon for many years. She has performed extensively on the pipe organ, piano and carillon throughout Canada and the U.S. She has been featured as a solo jazz artist (piano) at various local venues, and plays piano in a big band. Braden Young (Intermediate Choirs, Victoria) studied piano performance (focusing on collaborative piano) at the Victoria Conservatory of Music (AVCM 2009) and the University of British Columbia (BMus 2011). He has also pursued studies in voice and in composition. He has been the recipient of numerous scholarships and awards for academic excellence as well as performance. His teachers include Corey Hamm, Jamie Syer and Robert Holliston; he recently attended masterclasses with Rena Sharon at the Vancouver International Song Institute. Braden has almost 10 years’ experience working as an accompanist (including 2 years with Viva 2005-2007), and we are pleased he is returning to work with the Intermediate choirs this season. VIVA YOUTH CHOIRS SOCIETY OF VICTORIAAs a non-profit charitable organization, the Viva Youth Choirs Society of Victoria (VYCS) oversees the operations of Viva Choirs, and provides tax credits for donations. Board of Directors for 2010-2011. OFFICE STAFFGeneral Manager: Diane McWilliams Founding Artistic DirectorConnie Foss More [B. Mus., M. Mus., Cert. Liszt Academy (Budapest)] founded the Greater Victoria Youth Choir in 1988, overseeing its transformation to VIVA Choirs a few years later as an independent non-profit organization under the umbrella of the Victoria Youth Choirs Society. She was listed in the International Who’s Who of Business and Professional Women and has been one of five members worldwide on the Early Childhood Commission of the International Society for Music Education. Ms. More has been a music teacher and clinician since 1969, with students from pre-school age through adulthood in public schools, universities, and at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. Her choirs have consistently earned high acclaim in concerts, festivals and competitions. Her final season with VIVA before her retirement was 2008/09. |
Arlene Overman holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Western Washington University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Music and English from Trinity Western where she was assistant Concert Choir conductor. Mrs. Overman has nearly 20 years’ experience as a voice, piano & music theory teacher in a private music studio. She also served seven years as Children’s Choir Director at Central Baptist Church, and has taught at a Montessori pre-school, presented music workshops aboard the Carnival Spirit, and job-shared with her husband as Music Director at Central Baptist Church and in Bellingham WA. She has sung several opera roles and performs locally as a soloist and with Hexaphone vocal sextet. Some of her other interests include playing guitar, hiking, camping, traveling, entertaining and sewing. She home-schools her three children, all of whom are Viva choristers.
