- About Us: With a mandate to inspire and lead in the choral art form through excellence in performance and through the creation, exploration and celebration of women’s repertoire, Vancouver’s renowned Elektra Women’s Choir has taken a leadership role in the internat... moreWith a mandate to inspire and lead in the choral art form through excellence in performance and through the creation, exploration and celebration of women’s repertoire, Vancouver’s renowned Elektra Women’s Choir has taken a leadership role in the international classical women’s choir movement.
The choir is known for its adventurous programming, seeking out music written specifically for women and frequently commissioning new works. Its appearances include performances at the distinguished National Convention of the American Choral Directors Association (February 2003 and March 1997), including memorable New York performances at Carnegie Hall, Riverside Church, and Avery Fisher Hall. Elektra was honoured to represent Canada at the Fourth World Symposium on Choral Music in Sydney, Australia (August 1996).
Recent engagements include organising and performing in Welcome the World: A Choral Gala, as part of the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad, hosting Tapestry International festival of women’s choirs in 2009, which featured choirs from Japan, the United States, and BC, and, in 2007, being an invited guest of Festival 500: Sharing the Voices in St. Johns, Newfoundland, where they gave seven performances.
In 2010 the choir once again took first place in the “Equal Voices - Women” category of the National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs. Prior to 2009, the choir was awarded first prize for women’s choirs in four consecutive rounds of the biennial CBC National Choral Competition, as well as several major prizes for contemporary music performance.
Ongoing outreach programs are a priority for Elektra: Mira Youth Mentorship (annually), Composer Reading Sessions (every 2 years), Conductor Mentorship Program (every 2 to 3 years), and a Women’s Singing workshop (every 2 years) ensure that Elektra’s music and activities are accessible to all. Each Christmas Elektra welcomes a local children’s choir to sing alongside Elektra and in their own solo spotlight. Elektra participates enthusiastically in shared projects with other arts organizations such as the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, MusicFest Vancouver, and Chor Leoni Men’s Choir.
Elektra has commissioned nearly 60 compositions and arrangements in its 24-year history. The choir has become a valued resource for conductors the world over looking to program the best of Canadian and international repertoire for treble voices. On its website, Elektra houses a permanent repertoire resource featuring all 400 works programmed by the choir to date, over 160 of which have been recorded and are available for sale on iTunes and CD Baby.
Elektra has ten CDs available. Its first CD, Elektra Women's Choir (1992) was nominated for a JUNO award. Chez Nous: Christmas with Elektra was released in December 2010 and features favourite selections from the choir’s popular annual concerts of the same name, as well the re-release of their 1997 recording of Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols with harpist Rita Costanzi. The choir’s CDs are available through and and are in constant demand locally, nationally, and internationally. Elektra is frequently heard on CBC radio broadcasts and on NPR in the United States.
The choir was founded in 1987 by co-conductors Morna Edmundson and Diane Loomer, C.M. In 2009 Morna Edmundson was appointed Artistic Director and Diane Loomer, CM, became Conductor Emerita. The choir is honoured to work with an outstanding accompanist, Dr. Stephen Smith. less - Location: 2195 W45 Ave, Vancouver, BC, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada [map]
- Since: 1987
- Voices: Women
- Choir type: Community choir, Female choir
- Genres: A cappella, Classical
- Website www.elektra.ca
- Open to new singers: Yes - auditions required
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February 27, 2012 - admin of this choir page is
Shannon Lythgoe
