North Island Choral Society is a classical choral choir that’s been performing in the Comox Valley since 1984. They put on two major concerts a year, one in December and one in April, each performed twice to give more people a chance to attend. The repertoire leans toward serious classical works: Vivaldi, Berlioz, Poulenc, Finzi, Elgar. If you’re into choral music with orchestral backing and trained soloists, this is the group doing it locally.

The choir averages about 63 singers per season, and they’re open to new members without auditions or age restrictions. Membership costs around $100 per term, and each concert involves 13 to 14 weeks of rehearsals, sectional practices, and educational workshops, so it’s a commitment, but you’ll learn a lot. Paul Colthorpe has been the Artistic Director since 1995 and recently received the BC Choral Federation’s Herbert Kent Award, which speaks to the quality and longevity of the program.

The organization is a registered BC nonprofit with charitable status, so donations are tax-deductible if you want to support their work. They bring in volunteer orchestras and soloists from the region and beyond for performances, making each concert a larger community collaboration. If you sing and want to be part of a long-running classical choral tradition, check their website for membership details and upcoming concert schedules.