This unique choir features accompaniment (and rockin’ solos) by piano, bass, guitar, and drums. Performing music by bands like Journey, Whitesnake, The Beatles, Van Halen, Guns n’ Roses, The Rolling Stones, and other fun rockers. This is a choir where you can really belt it out! Arrangements are for soprano, alto, tenor, bass, along with the band… and on some songs there’s the opportunity to sing a solo part, backed up by the whole choir and band!
This is a non-auditioned choir, and we believe that everyone has what it takes to rock with us! Not a musician or a notation reader? No problem, we’ve got you covered. Choir members can use the free app Compose by SmartMusic to practice at home (see the video below to see how it works). It’s fun, and easy! MP3 audio demos are also available.
The choir rehearses Mondays from 6:30 to 8:30 beginning October 28. There’s a break for the Christmas holidays December 23 & 30. We wrap up the season of rehearsals with a performance at The Chilliwack Cultural Centre Theatre on April 14. Rehearsals take place at St Paul’s Lutheran Church at 8871 School St. Please do not show up without registering first! All proceeds from the concert are donated to the charity Chilliwack Community Services!
If you need to miss some sessions, no problem! You’re not required to be at every single rehearsal in order to take part. This is a FUN choir, and we don’t want it to feel like a lot of pressure to enjoy.
The music (charts, demos, practice tools) are all ready to go for the season, and you’ll receive all that as soon as you register.
Want to join us? REgister now!
About choir director Andy Hillhouse
Andy Hillhouse has decades of experience as a professional singer, guitarist, and choral director. His choral experience took root with an undergrad degree in voice at UBC and has carried through with years of working with numerous choirs, including being a member of Vancouver’s famed vocal ensemble musica intima, director of the Universal Gospel Choir, and soloist with groups like the Vancouver Welshman’s Choir. He is currently Artistic Director of the Harrison Festival of the Arts and tours frequently with Celtic fusion group The McDades, with whom he has won a JUNO award.
about Choir Creator Nick La Riviere
Choir creator, organizer, and arranger (chart writer) Nick La Riviere is a professional freelance musician. He tours across Canada, the USA, Mexico, and Europe with various bands including the Juno winning band, The Paperboys. His main instrument is trombone, but he also loves to sing, play bass, piano, and conch shells (yes, for real). He loves playing all styles of music and has performed with iconic rock band 54-40, as well as composed horn charts for their show. In addition to performing, Nick directs the Victoria Rock Choir, The Nanaimo Rock Choir, The Soul Source R&B Band, and The Jive Big Band.
VIDEOS
Not sure if you’re a Soprano, Alto, Tenor or Bass? This should help… and also inspire you with our super fun arrangement of Don’t Stop Believin’! (this is probably about the most complicated arrangement we’ll try by the way!)
Want to skip to the song? Click here!
Check out our system to make it super easy for you to practice your part at home whether you’re a music reader or not!
Q&A
Will there be opportunities for solo singing, or is it all choral?
YES! Some of the arrangements will include solos where one person can take the lead, backed by the choir.
For those who can’t read notation, how will rehearsals works?
Whenever possible notation reading members will stand between non-reading members at rehearsal. Also, the music will be given out ahead of the first rehearsal, both in notation and in the online playback system (see the video above) so you’ve got a chance to start getting comfortable with it before singing with the group.
Can I come check out the choir before committing?
YES, there is a trial option! To register for the trial select trial deposit in the form below. Your deposit is fully refundable only if you attend the first session and let me know by email that the choir isn’t for you in the 2 days following the first rehearsal. That will allow me to admit someone from the wait list in time for the next rehearsal.
Are voice roles (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) gender specific?
NO! Anyone is welcome to whatever part suits their vocal range.
What age are choir members?
We welcome adults of all ages!
Is there a fee?
Yes – there are a lot of expenses with this group including a paid 4 piece band at all rehearsals, choir leader, rehearsal space, performance venue, administration.. However even with all this it costs only $12/rehearsal!
Can I split up the choir fee in to smaller payments?
Yes, no problem! Please email and we’ll sort that out.
In the News
We’re a new choir, but if you’d like to see how much fun the members of The Victoria Rock Choir are having, check out this news article! (Click the image to see it in full screen)
About the charity we support
Chilliwack Community Services (CCS) is a non-profit, accredited multi-service agency providing support-focused programming to people of all ages. For over 90 years, they have been dedicated to meeting social and community needs in Chilliwack and the surrounding areas. What began in 1928 with the efforts of a single woman helping a neighbour in need has continually grown to meet the increasing and changing demographics of the community.
The services they run include these housing-based projects:
•The Village Transitional Housing: In partnership with Creative Centre Society and BC Housing, The Village provides safe and permanent housing to 22 adults with multiple barriers. The Village also provides two-year transitional housing for 11 youth who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
•The Paramount Project: Through this project we are providing 66 units of housing, 58 for seniors and 8 for young adults, comprised of units running from deep subsidy to under market rent prices.
This secure payment is processed by Square. If you’ve completed the registration successfully, you should see a thank you screen and immediately receive an email from Jotform with a welcome email that has all the details on dates, times, and a link to download the music. Watch your spam folder if you don’t receive it. Receipts are available on request.