History
This history was taken from the writing "The Melody Lingers On. The First Ten Years. A History of "The Village Voices" of Qualicum Beach. 1992-2002 by Claud Buchanan.
In 1992, Qualicum Beach was still a village and in July of that year "The Village Voices" was born. Dr. Gerry and June Evans, Wilma and Roger Bleakley, Claud and Lynn Buchanan and Joan Fayter came together to create this choir. Dave Henderson, newly retired from the School District of North Vancouver was hired as the first choir Director at $10.00 a practice session. In order to pay Dave, a brown paper bag was passed around at practice and everyone contributed $1.00. Cathy Wilson, who lived in Nanoose Bay, willingly took on the role as the choir's first accompanist.
September 1992 was the very first practice at St. Stephen's United Church in Qualicum Beach. Of the 25 original singers from that first membership list, two, Lynn Buchanan and Joan Belobaba, continue to sing with the choir today.
The official name of the choir, "The Village Voices of Qualicum Beach", suggested by Claud Buchanan, was adopted in that first year and has remained unchanged to this day. In 1998 Claud also drafted The Village Voices Constitution when it was decided, at that time, to move from a 'steering committee' to a full Executive with the corresponding responsibilities and authority.
Check these links for Past Directors and Past Presidents.
From its humble beginnings The Village Voices has blossomed into an approximately 60-voice community choir which practices every Monday night from 7:00PM - 9:00PM at the Christian Fellowship Centre in Qualicum Beach. It gives 3-4 concerts a year and is very active in the community singing at local festivals and senior's residences as well as participating in flash mobs every so often.
September 1992 was the very first practice at St. Stephen's United Church in Qualicum Beach. Of the 25 original singers from that first membership list, two, Lynn Buchanan and Joan Belobaba, continue to sing with the choir today.
The official name of the choir, "The Village Voices of Qualicum Beach", suggested by Claud Buchanan, was adopted in that first year and has remained unchanged to this day. In 1998 Claud also drafted The Village Voices Constitution when it was decided, at that time, to move from a 'steering committee' to a full Executive with the corresponding responsibilities and authority.
Check these links for Past Directors and Past Presidents.
From its humble beginnings The Village Voices has blossomed into an approximately 60-voice community choir which practices every Monday night from 7:00PM - 9:00PM at the Christian Fellowship Centre in Qualicum Beach. It gives 3-4 concerts a year and is very active in the community singing at local festivals and senior's residences as well as participating in flash mobs every so often.