The Vancouver Cantata Singers (VCS) is an auditioned Canadian choir in Vancouver, British Columbia, founded in 1959 by organist and conductor Hugh McLean. Vancouver Cantata Singers was first formed under the name the Philharmonic Choir in 1958 as a non-auditioned community chorus. The first performance took place on February 6, 1959 at Christ Church Cathedral with the choir performing Bach’s Mass in B Minor. Positive reviews from music critics and successful appearances on CBC Radio eventually inspired the chorus to become an auditioned semi-professional ensemble in the early 1970s when James Fankhauser began to lead the group, winning the Healey Willan Grand Prize in 1984 and a Juno Award nomination for Best Classical Album (Vocal or Choral Performance) in 1994. From 2002 to 2012 the choir was headed by conductor Eric Hannan, who led the group to win the Healey Willan Grand Prize both in 2008 and 2011. In 2013, long-time VCS member Paula Kremer became artistic director, and in 2019 she led the group to several awards in the National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs, again including Canada Council's Healey Willan Prize. Although the ensemble's name implies focus on music of the Baroque period, the Vancouver Cantata Singers also perform contemporary music, working frequently with local Canadian composers such as Jocelyn Morlock, Peter Hannan, Kristopher Fulton, Imant Raminsh, Stephen Chatman, Jordan Nobles, Craig Galbraith, and they also perform pieces arranged by members of the choir.

Conductors

2013–present: Paula Kremer 2002–2012: Eric Hannan 2001-2002: Peter Butterfield 1995-2000: Tony Funk, Assistant Conductor - Associate Conductor, 2000/2001 1973-2000: James Fankhauser 1966-1973: John Wiebe 1957-1966: Hugh McLean

Composers in residence

2018–present: Craig Galbraith 2014–2017: Kristopher Fulton

Recordings

Awards and honours

2019: National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs 2011: National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs 2010: National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs 2008: National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs 1984: CBC National Radio Competition for Amateur Choirs 1994: Juno Nominee Best Classical Album (Vocal or Choral Performance), Venetian Vespers of 1640

Collaborations

Spinal Chord

From 2009 to 2016, Vancouver Cantata Singers and the International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries held collaborative annual fundraisers ("Spinal Chord" ) to benefit spinal cord research and the arts through both non-profit organizations. The choir routinely performs at the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre at Vancouver General Hospital as a part of their relationship with ICORD.

Early Music Vancouver

Vancouver Cantata Singers regularly collaborates with Early Music Vancouver, performing large-scale works with baroque orchestra including Handel's Theodora, Coronation Anthems, and Messiah.