The Victoria Rock Choir is a project created by Nick La Riviere, one of Victoria’s busiest multi-instrumentalists.
This unique choir features accompaniment (and rockin’ solos) by piano, bass, guitar, and drums. Performing music by bands like Elton John, Kansas, Toto, Fleetwood Mac, and other fun classic rockers, with arrangements by Nick La Riviere. This is a choir where you can really belt it out!
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 online music editor Compose by SmartMusic to play back their parts (see the video below to see how it works). It’s fun, easy, and will also help people learn to read the music.
The choir rehearses Thursdays at the Church of Our Lord at 626 Blanshard St from 6:30 to 8:30 (please don’t show up with without registering). We’re currently planning our fourth season, which will begin January 9, 2025 and wrap with a concert on June 19. The concert will be entry by donation, with proceeds going to charity – The Cridge Centre. See below to find out more about what they do.
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.
WANT TO JOIN US? We’re currently taking a wait list. Please add your name to it and we’ll be in touch as soon as we have room for you!
Questions? choir@nicklariviere.com
Please don’t email to be added to the wait list. Instead fill out the form at the bottom of this page.
About choir director Nick la riviere
Choir director and arranger 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, conch shells (yes, for real), and is always working on figuring something out on a new instrument. On the video demo below you hear him playing bass, guitar, piano, and singing. 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.
Other bands he plays in include The Yiddish Columbia State Orchestra (Klezmer), Cities (pop/rock covers), Pretzel Logic (Steely Dan covers), and Locarno (original and traditional Mexican/latin music). He also leads his own band, Best Laid Plans, which performs originals and covers depending on what’s right for the gig.
In addition to all this performing, Nick runs 3 other community groups:
•The Nanaimo Rock Choir
•The Jive Big Band
•Soul Source (a 20 piece R&B band performing arrangements by Nick)
Check out some videos those bands made during the pandemic here!
VIDEOS
Here’s what a concert with The Victoria Rock Choir looks like!
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! If you select the trial payment option you’ll automatically get an email that includes a link to split up the fee.
In the news
Check out this article from the James Bay Beacon
(click the image for full screen)
About the charity we support
Homelessness in Victoria is a problem. No one would ever say that the number of people living on our streets is acceptable. As a community, we try to find solutions: more housing. More services. More detox beds. More mental health supports. More.
But what if instead of looking for more, we worked toward less. What if instead of spending tax dollars on treating the problem, we worked on preventing it? What if vulnerable people and families were supported before they became homeless? What if services were offered that prevented homelessness rather than putting a band-aid on the gaping wound of entrenched homelessness?
The Cridge Centre for the Family has been preventing homelessness for the past 150 years by caring for the most vulnerable people of our community: children, seniors, brain injury survivors, women leaving domestic violence, young parents, refugees and immigrants and families who have a child with a disability. When our families and individuals are cared for and supported, the risk of homelessness, addiction and poverty is reduced.
Want to join us? We’re currently taking a wait list, but please add your name to it below and we’ll let you know as soon as we can get you in, possibly after the first rehearsal of the next season.
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. Refund policy: In order to be refunded you must either let me know by email that you won’t be able to attend after all before December 26 so there’s time for me to allow someone from the wait list to take your spot, or attend the first session and let me know the choir isn’t for you by January 11 (as described in the trial information above)