North Island Choral Society

The North Island Choral Society is a Canadian nonprofit organization and registered charity (Business Registration Number 852460500RR0001) dedicated to producing and performing classical choral music. Based in the Comox Valley, British Columbia, the society has been a significant contributor to the local arts scene since its establishment in 1984.

History

Founded in the mid-1980s, the choir originated from a collective desire to stage George Frideric Handel's Messiah. The founding artistic director was Christine Purvis, who led the choir's early performances, including several renditions of Messiah. After a few years, Purvis passed the baton to her husband, Richard Walker, who served as artistic director during the choir’s formative years. The choir experienced various leadership changes during its first decade.

In 1995, the North Island Choral Society achieved greater stability with the appointment of Paul Colthorpe as Artistic Director and Elvera Penner as accompanist. Colthorpe, who holds a Bachelor of Music degree and a Master of Education, has played a pivotal role in the choir's development for nearly three decades, advancing its musical standards and expanding its repertoire. Penner served as accompanist until her retirement in 2024.

The choir has grown from approximately 35 singers at its founding to around 75 members today. It is notable for its inclusive, non-auditioned policy, welcoming all interested in classical choral music. The group originally performed a broader mix of musical styles, including Celtic, Scottish, spirituals, opera, and Canadian folk songs, but currently focuses primarily on classical choral works.

Mission and Activities

The mission of the North Island Choral Society is to advance public appreciation of the arts by providing high-quality public performances of classical choral music. The society actively engages the community by performing not only in formal concert settings but also in public venues, senior citizen homes, churches, community centres, and educational institutions throughout the Comox Valley.

The choir typically presents two concerts annually, one near the beginning of December and another near the beginning of April. These concerts often feature challenging and well-known works from the classical choral repertoire. Notably, in 1998, the choir performed with Canadian pianist Frank Mills during his final Canadian tour.

Organization and Leadership

The North Island Choral Society is governed by a volunteer board, including positions such as president, secretary, membership coordinator, publicity officer, and librarian. Key personnel include:

• Paul Colthorpe, Artistic Director
• Julie Matthews, Accompanist since 2024
• Mary Gray, President
• Ruth Hibberson, Membership Coordinator and Website Administrator

Rehearsals are held weekly on Tuesday evenings at Comox Valley Presbyterian Church.

Community Impact

Over its four decades of operation, the North Island Choral Society has become a cherished cultural institution within the Comox Valley. It attracts audiences exceeding 350 attendees per concert and continues to grow in membership and public support. The society's inclusive approach and commitment to artistic excellence have allowed it to flourish in a smaller community, enriching the local cultural landscape with classical choral music.

Note: This organization is a registered charity in Canada, recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency.