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Sing in the new season

Sidney tenor Sunny Shams and his fiancée Mexican soprano Shadan Saul enchant with duets from Puccini’s operas
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Sidney tenor Sunny Shams and his fiancée Mexican soprano Shadan Saul open the Palm Court Light Orchestra season.

Now approaching its 10th season, the Victoria Philharmonic Choir brings high calibre performances of choral music.

Its season begins Nov. 6 with Karl Jenkins’ Armed Man Mass for Peace, with the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy at Farquhar Auditorium. A Family Christmas Carol Sing-Along Concert is Dec. 21, at St. Mary’s Church, Oak Bay and Haydn Theresienmesse and Mozart Requiem will be March 9 at Alix Goolden Hall. On May 7 and 8, the Philharmonic performs Beethoven’s 9th Symphony as guests of the Victoria Symphony, with Victoria Choral Society.

The Palm Court Light Orchestra’s 29th season begins Oct. 17 at the Farquhar with the return of Sidney tenor Sunny Shams and his fiancée Mexican soprano Shadan Saul. These wonderful young singers will enchant with duets from Puccini’s operas, Franz Lehar’s The Merry Widow and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific.

With Downton Abbey in its final season, Palm Court celebrates the music of the Victorian and Edwardian Eras Feb. 12. In their April 16 concert, Victoria Symphony’s David Michaux will play some wonderful tunes on the trumpet along with the Carnival of Venice.

The Linden Singers of Victoria performs diverse repertoire of secular and sacred music that is always intriguing and engaging. This season includes three unique concert programs. Reflect on Nov. 22, features John Rutter’s Requiem, accompanied by a small chamber ensemble with David Stratkauskas at the organ. During Inspire on March 19, the Linden Singers also welcome SingYourJoy young adult choir, Victoria’s newest choir for young people. The concert concludes with the two choirs joining to create a group of 80 singers on stage.

Their season ends with Savour on May 14 which features music and food from the Mediterranean. The Linden Singers will be joined by Symphony Splash soloist, Rebecca Bracewell on accordion.

The Victoria Conservatory of Music hosts a variety of performances throughout the year. The season opens with a Faculty Concert featuring Robert Holliston & Friends Oct. 18. Celebrate Canada Music Week Nov. 16 to 22 with the main event Nov. 22, 2:30pm a Country Music Celebration, an interactive family concert led by Daniel Lapp.

Ring in Christmas with Daniel Lapp Home for Christmas Dec. 18 and 19. Music for Mardi Gras is Jan. 26. Special VCM Guest Artist Recital with Janina Fialkowska, pianist is March 17. See Louise Rose & The Good News Choir free April 26. The Daniel Lapp Joy of Life Festival runs May 13 to 15.

The DieMahler Ensemble specializes in musical artistry, leaving no musical path unexplored. Oct. 24 they perform Violins, Duets and More!, Nov. 14 is An afternoon with Mozart and Dec. 12 brings Christmas Delights.

The Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra has been producing outstanding orchestral music for nearly 30 years. Opening its 30th anniversary season with Humperdinck’s Hänsel and Gretel: Prelude, Debussy’s Petite Suite and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 2 (Little Russian). March 6 is their alumni celebration featuring Morawetz’ Carnival Overture, Marquez’ Danzon No. 2, Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis with guest soloists GVYO alumni. May 1 is the 30th Anniversary Concert with Weber’s Der Freischütz: Overture, Ravel’s Pavane pour une infante défunte, Bartok’s Hungarian Peasant Songs, Borodin’s Prince Igor: Polovtsian Dances and the premiere of a commissioned work by Brandon Chow, GVYO alumnus.

The Civic Orchestra of Victoria includes aspiring soloists and choral groups. Nov. 1, the Civic Goes Pops! at the Alix Goolden Hall with the première performance of Katya Pine’s Cosmic Psalm. Nov. 22, they join the Gilbert and Sullivan society in a concert to raise money for Victoria Hospice.

Catch the holiday spirit with the 17th annual Sing-along Messiah at Alix Goolden Hall with soloists Stephanie Landucci, Eva Rebecca Bild, Sunny Shams and Stephen Barradell. On March 12 Moshe Hammer Performs Tchaikovsky and May 7 they perform Animals Through The Ages, narrated by Bob McDonald.

The Early Music Society begins with Montreal’s Ensemble Caprice performing Chaconne! Voice of Eternity Oct. 17. Nov. 14, Dialogos performs Swithun! Music from Winchester c.1000 and A Praetorius Christmas Vespers takes place Dec. 19. Thirteen vocal soloists, a string band, cornetti and sackbuts, three theorbos and the St. Christopher Singers join to recreate the joyful celebration of Christmas Vespers. The season continues Jan. 16 with the Victoria Baroque Players performing baroque suites by Handel, Telemann and Rameau. Feb. 20 brings Philadelphia’s Piffaro, The Renaissance Band with Back Before Bach and March 5, the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra of Toronto presents House of Dreams. Rounding out the season April 16, Collegium Vocale Gent performs Orlande de Lassus’s monumental Lagrime di San Pietro.