Les Choristes
Conductor
Auditions
Audition required. Open to all Western University students.
Rehearsals
Tuesdays & Thursdays
3:30–5:30pm
Complete Rehearsal Information
Quick Links
Les Choristes is a dynamic upper voices choir comprised of students from across campus, most of whom are voice majors at the Don Wright Faculty of Music. The repertoire is diverse, and includes music of all eras and genres while specializing in music of the 21st century.
Under the direction of Dr. Victoria Meredith, Les Choristes enjoyed a rich history of commissioning and premiering compositions, including works by esteemed Canadian composers Nancy Telfer and Ruth Watson Henderson. The choir also enjoyed a strong reputation across Canada as a result of its many national awards from both the CBC Choral Competitions and the Canadian Music Educators’ Association and invitations to perform as featured guests in concerts for MusicFest, Contemporary Showcase, and the American Choral Directors Association.
The tradition of supporting new Canadian Choral composition continues. Since 2004, the choir has commissioned and presented over 30 new works by composers and arrangers Jeff Smallman, Sarah Quartel, Rory Magill, Don Macdonald and Allison Girvan.
Les Choristes has performed at the Ontario Music Educators’ Association conference and The Kaleid Choral Festival and embrace opportunities to connect with other choral organizations in the province as a means of building choral community. Tours to Ottawa in 2012 and 2014 and Toronto in 2015 have included guest appearances at the National War Memorial Museum during Remembrance Day services as well as collaborative workshops and concerts with local choirs and their directors. In recent years, pecial programs have included performances with renown performing artists, Rajaton (Finland) and solo artists, Essi Wuorela (Rajaton), Allison Girvan and Gary Diggins.
Les Choristes is featured in two recent recordings: ECHO – Choral Creativity in Motion, and The Song My Paddle Sings, a commemorative CD of music set to the poetry of E. Pauline Johnson by Canadian Composers.
2022-23 Performances
Joining us on campus for an in-person event? For always-up-to-date health and safety protocols, check our Audience Information webpage before you leave home.
All concerts are approximately 1.5 hours in length.
Wednesday, Oct 26 | 7:30pm
von Kuster Hall
Les Choristes and St. Cecilia Singers
Wednesday, Dec 7 | 7:30pm
von Kuster Hall
Les Choristes and St. Cecilia Singers
Wednesday, Feb 15 | 7:30pm
von Kuster Hall
Les Choristes and St. Cecilia Singers
Tuesday, Mar 7 | 7:30pm
von Kuster Hall
Les Choristes and musica intima vocal ensemble
Tuesday, Apr 4 | 7:30pm
von Kuster Hall
Les Choristes and St. Cecilia Singers
Performance Excerpts
“Here on these Branches”, Sarah Quartel
Guest conductor, Patrick Murray
2018-19
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