Vancouver Cantata Singers honour special moments in choir's history with Reflection, May 3
At Pacific Spirit United Church, program draws on previously performed works by Bach, Mahler, and more

One of the Vancouver Cantata Singers’ earliest performances, in 1959 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
Vancouver Cantata Singers present Reflection at Pacific Spirit United Church on May 3 at 7:30 pm
THE FIRST-EVER VANCOUVER Cantata Singers concert took place on February 6, 1959 at the Christ Church Cathedral. The singers performed J.S. Bach’s Mass in B minor. Back then, the organization was known as the Philharmonic Choir, led by late founder Hugh McLean.
More than 65 years later, the choir has gone through a number of leadership transitions—most notably, U.S.–born conductor James Fankhauser was at the podium from 1973 to 2000, guiding the singers through several competition wins and a Juno Award nomination. Paula Kremer, who first joined the alto section of the Vancouver Cantata Singers in 1994, has been artistic director since 2013.
An upcoming concert titled Reflection will honour just a few facets of that interesting history with works that played a significant role in shaping the choir. At Pacific Spirit United Church on May 3, audiences will learn about several people and compositions that have been instrumental to the growth and success of the Vancouver Cantata Singers over the years, including Johann Bach’s “Unser Leben ist ein Schatten” (a masterful motet by J.S. Bach’s distant relative), Clytus Gottwald’s setting of Mahler’s “Im Abendrot” (the love-song Adagietto from his Symphony No. 5), and more.
Reflection is the final concert of the 2024-25 season for the Vancouver Cantata Singers. On this year’s program, each concert represented a different aspect of a long journey, from resting to roaming.
Stir editorial assistant Emily Lyth is a Vancouver-based writer and editor who graduated from Langara College’s Journalism program. Her decade of dance training and passion for all things food-related are the foundation of her love for telling arts, culture, and community stories.
Related Articles
A guest of the Vancouver Chopin Society, the veteran musician risked it all to stand up against tyranny
Alt-rock band Meltt, D.O.A. frontman Joe Keithley, and singer-songwriter Ché Aimee Dorval are among the Burrard Stage highlights
Stellar local musicians play seminal, sassy funk in North Shore Jazz presentation as part of Vancouver International Jazz Festival
In renowned one-man show I Wish I Was a Mountain, the award-winning British poet leans on rhythm of deep musical influences
Wurlitzer organ, Azerbaijani folk music, rousing chorales, and more culminate in a Vancouver Symphony Orchestra performance at the Orpheum
Newest production to feature Sound the Alarm’s lineup of seasoned singers mines soundtracks of Disney and Hollywood classics
Three concerts at RockRidge Canyon resort in Princeton highlight chamber works prepared by the artists during a week-long intensive
In Western Gold Theatre’s spare staging of Caryl Churchill’s taut, wry work, roles rotate across performances with some astonishing results
The violinist’s Fantasy Vignettes interweaves Baroque music, costume changes, and sewing machines
All-Canadian program Legacy celebrates spring and rebirth as Cassie Luftspring prepares to take the baton
The Zawose Queens, The Milk Cartons Kids, and more to hit the Main Stage at ʔəy̓alməxʷ Jericho Beach Park
Program also features North American premiere of Danish composer Thomas Agerfeldt Olesen’s Violin Concerto with violinist Simone Lamsma
Season-closing concert features guest artist Christopher Gaze and a world premiere by composer Thuthuka Sibisi
Now based in the U.S., artist brings more than 60 years of performance experience and award wins to the stage
Beatles songs and Broadway hits are on the program featuring performers of all ages
In the latest installment of the VSO at the Annex series, the conductor and pianist hopes the eclectic program will take some of the intimidation factor out of new music
Paris-born, Montreal-raised pianist won the 2021 International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw
At Vancouver New Music, Cheldon Paterson’s uncategorizable music fuses his love for nature with his taste for obscure sound
Compelling young artist has performed worldwide and won prizes at the National Chopin Piano Competition
Genre-spanning international and local talents take to North Shore venues in BlueShore at CapU and Vancouver International Jazz Festival presentation
Program includes an Emily Carr–inspired piece by Tawnie Olson, a composition about a satellite falling out of orbit by Chris Sivak, and more