Women Who Love to Sing!

   The Richmond Singers is a community of 55 women and an active participant in community life in Richmond. Since its inception in 1971, when a handful of women responded to a newspaper ad inviting women who want to sing together, the choir has grown steadily and performs regularly in concerts and events. The Richmond Singers supports principles of diversity and equality of opportunity; its members range in age from 20s to seniors, bringing diverse backgrounds and talents to the choir and its performances.

  Directors over its history include Alex Murray, Earl Hobson, Jeanette Gallant, Mavis Weston, Natasha Neufeld, and since September 2019, Fabiana Katz, along with equally talented accompanists. The choir produces two to three major concerts each season, often featuring local guest performers and accompanists. The Richmond singers has also commissioned several pieces of music, most recently “Under One Sky” by Larry Nickel for its Spring 2024 concert.

  The Richmond Singers actively participates in BC Choral Federation activities and is committed to supporting the community. Both the main choir and its eighteen-member Ensemble are available to sing at events for the City of Richmond and for charity benefit concerts, thereby raising funds for community organizations including the Richmond Hospice Society, Canadian Cancer Foundation, Tim Hortons Kids Camps, South Arm United Church Fall Fair, and most recently $2,000.00 to support community outreach work hosted by St Alban’s Church. In September 2009 the Richmond Singers sang at the Richmond Olympic Oval for the opening ceremony of the BC Seniors’ Games. The main choir also participates annually in Richmond Culture Days with an open rehearsal, each year attracting new members to join its vibrant community. And the Ensembles performs an interactive program almost weekly at seniors’ residences and centers within and outside Richmond.

  The choir’s founding member, Pam Hiensch, still in the Ensemble, was awarded the Governor General’s Canada Volunteer Award in 2021 for her initiative in forming the Richmond Singers and for its impact on the community. The main choir was honored to represent BC at the July 1, 2003 UNISONG celebrations in Ottawa and in 2009 represented BC at Festival 500 in St Johns, Newfoundland. In 2016 the Richmond Singers were accepted, among 1000 singers from around the world, to sing at the Kathaumixw International Choral Festival in Powell River.

  Through continuing strong leadership and its dedicated members, the Richmond Singers survived COVID-19: during the pandemic lock-down, members participated in weekly virtual rehearsals and produced four virtual choral recordings including “O Canada” for the City’s Canada Day celebrations in 2021 and the Ensemble recorded performances to distribute to seniors’ residences.

  The Singers are ever grateful to the faithful audiences who enthusiastically reflect their joy in making music together.

More Information

Read about our Musical Director, Fabiana Katz and Accompanist Elizabeth Oh.