NEWS

Dear Friend of Vox Humana Chamber Choir,

My name is Kristen Birley, and I’m the President of the Board of Vox Humana.  I’m writing to you now because you have supported Vox in the past – for which we’re very grateful.

I thought you’d want to be among the first to know that after an extensive search, we have found our next Artistic Director – Brian Wismath’s successor – right here in Victoria!  His name is David Stratkauskas, and he is very well known and respected in the choral music community.  Equally important, when he recently conducted the choir on two successive nights for his audition, the singers’ response was very positive – as was that of the search committee and invited guests.

We are thrilled that David has accepted our invitation to join us.  He officially takes over his new role with us on April 1^st.

Between now and then, I hope we will see some of you at our Child’s Christmas in Wales show at First Church of Christ, Scientist, 1205 Pandora Avenue, at 2:30 pm on Christmas Eve.  We’re delighted to be able to bring this traditional seasonal favourite back after a year’s hiatus, with Melville Jones reading Dylan Thomas’s quintessential Christmas story, and the choir singing favourite carols, old and new.  Admission is by donation.

Watch also for news coming soon of a collaboration in March between Vox Humana, Ballet Victoria and the Victoria Symphony, under the baton of Maestro Joey Pietraroia.  Then in May or June, we’ll bring you a special concert in which David Stratkauskas will make his public debut as our new conductor.

The past two years have been a difficult time for Vox, as for everyone in the musical community, with concerts cancelled due to COVID, and in our case, a bit of a pause while we sought our next conductor.  There have been financial challenges, as well.  If you feel in a position to make a tax-deductible donation before the end of the year, we would be most grateful.  It would help us start the next chapter of our story on a solid footing.  Just click the Canada Helps link on our website to donate.

After a decade of strong growth and development under Brian Wismath’s direction, Vox Humana is poised to bring you many more wonderful choral music experiences in the future, thanks to the renewed artistic leadership of David Stratkauskas.  Please continue to join us as the journey continues!

Kristen Birley
President
Vox Humana Chamber Choir Society