Fall 2025 Information

Dates:

Our season will run on Thursday evenings, 6:30 – 8:30 pm, from September 11, 2025 – January 8, 2026. We will take a break during the winter holiday on Dec 25 and Jan 1.

Registration will open for current members on June 14, for past members and those on our waiting list from previous seasons on June 21, and to the public on July 1.

Location:

We rehearse in the band room at Bayside Middle School at 1101 Newton Pl, Brentwood Bay, BC.

Guest Director Info for Fall 2025 Season

As we search for our next Choral Director, we want to make sure we find someone who is a great fit for our amazing and unique choir community. In order to facilitate this search, we will be running a guest-directing phase during the Fall season.

We are casting a wide net of inquiries to find interested candidates for our Choral Director position, and interviews will take place in July. Selected candidates will be invited to guest direct 1–3 rehearsals during our Fall Season, beginning September 11, 2025. This will give candidates a chance to demonstrate their teaching and conducting approach and get a sense of our choir community.

The final candidate will be notified in late November and will officially begin leading the choir no later than the December 4 rehearsal to refine and polish our repertoire with attention to dynamics and expression, culminating in directing our Winter Concert at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney on Sunday, January 18, 2026.

We hope that this approach will lead to a new Choral Director who will guide our vibrant, joyful and supportive choir community through rehearsals and performances for many seasons to come!

Concert:

Our Winter concert will be at Mary Winspear Sunday January 18, 2026 at 3:00 pm, with a tech rehearsal on Thursday, January 15, 2025 at 6:30 pm.

Socials:

Please join us for social evenings at the Brentwood Bay Village Empourium on September 11, October 21, and November 25! More information to follow.

Fees:

$200 for the Fall season. Island Song is run on a not-for-profit basis. Payment is due by the second week of practice or can be split into two payments if needed. If you are in need of financial assistance to participate, please reach out to discuss further.

Refund policy:

• If a member decides to drop out within the first two rehearsals (through September 18), they will receive a full refund.

• If a member decides to drop out after two rehearsals and up to four rehearsals (through October 2), they will receive a refund minus a $60 fee.

• After four rehearsals (after October 2) no refund will be offered, although extenuating circumstances will be considered.

Repertoire:

Our theme for Season 14 is “Glorious & Free: Celebrating Canada’s Music!” Island Song Choir celebrates Canada’s rich musical heritage with in-house arrangements of home grown songs from coast to coast to coast. We’re showcasing Canadian talent that’s as wide as a prairie sky, as powerful as an Atlantic gale, as resilient as the Rocky Mountains, and as majestic as a west coast forest.

Expectations:

• Members are expected to attend as many rehearsals as possible. If you are aware that you will miss more than two rehearsals during the season, please let us know. If you miss a rehearsal, please ensure that you listen to the recording so you’ll know what was taught.

• Members are expected to do some practicing on their own time in order to become familiar with the material and reinforce what we learn during rehearsals. The amount of time spent will vary depending on your ability and comfort level. Sing in your car, your shower, or wherever you can find a moment!

Illness policy:

• Please do not attend choir if you are ill.

• Rehearsals will be recorded for those unable to attend any given rehearsal; these recordings will be stored within the members materials drive.

• Mask wearing is optional whilst singing together. Please respect others’ individual decisions to either mask or unmask in our choir.