This unique choir features accompaniment (and rockin’ solos) by piano, bass, guitar, and drums. Performing music by bands like Bryan Adams, Metallica, P!nk, KISS, Bob Seger, Supertramp, 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 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. For anyone without a computer or tablet (required for the Compose app), audio demos are also available.
The choir rehearses Wednesdays at the Saint Paul’s Anglican Church at 100 Chapel St from 6:30 to 8:30. We wrap up the season of rehearsals with a performance at Generations Church fundraising for charity – Nanaimo Foodshare. Upcoming performances are November 15 & 16, 2024.
We’ll be starting a new season of rehearsals December 4th! There’s a break over the holidays December 25 & January 1, and one week off when the church we rehearse in isn’t available March 5. We’ll wrap the season with concerts at Generations Church May 30 & 31.
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, but please join it and we’ll get you in as soon as we can!
questions? NANAIMO@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 Nick
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 Victoria 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!
Check out the choir November 15 and 16 at Generations Church! (click the poster to see it in full size)
VIDEOS
Here’s a video with some clips from our first concert in April 2024. We had an amazing turnout, over 700 people! Apologies to everyone we weren’t able to accommodate, but we’ll come up with a plan for everyone to see the show next time. It was a really fun show, and we raised over $6000 for Nanaimo Foodshare!
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.
Are voice roles (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) gender specific?
NO! Anyone is welcome to whatever part suits their vocal range.
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.
What age are choir members?
We welcome adults of all ages!
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 split up the choir fee in to smaller payments?
Yes, no problem! Please email and we’ll sort that out.
About the charity we support
Established in 1997 and registered as a charity in 2000, Nanaimo Foodshare Society connects the community with resources, skills, and knowledge to create change that increases healthy food for everyone.
Specifically, they:
- Work with community partners to address hunger in the community
- Build food skills
- Bring the community together to share resources
- Build community capacity to provide healthy foods to everyone.
- Through our programs, we support local sustainable food, help build food policy and develop coordinated community strategies to improve food security.
Want to join us? Please sign up for the wait list below and we’ll let you know as soon as we can get you in, possibly after the first session 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 November 27 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 December 6 (as described in the trial information above)