Music & Community

Music is a deep source of joy and an integral part of Sunday Services at North Shore Unitarian. Many members perform choral or instrumental music, and no service is complete without hymns sung by the whole congregation.

Our Choir performs during many of our Sunday Services and at special events. But we also have occasional guest choirs, instrumental groups, and concerts. We welcome new participants in our Music Program!

Music Director
Alison Nixon

Our Music Program is led by Alison Nixon.  Alison trained as a violinist in the UK and the International Menuhin School in Gstaad Switzerland, and in Choral Conducting with Professor James Fankhauser at UBC. Alison has performed with orchestras in Britain, Switzerland and Vancouver.

With over 40 years as a choir director, she has conducted and toured with many choirs, including the Douglas College Community choir, The Nota Bene Women’s ensemble, the Vancouver Orpheus Male Choir, and the Bowen Island Community Choir.  Alison currently conducts SummerChor at St. Andrew’s Wesley Church in Vancouver during the summer months. and The Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir.

A message from Alison:

Welcome everyone, beginner and experienced alike. We accommodate every skill level, and you’ll have a lot of fun while improving your capabilities. A varied and dynamic music program such as we have at North Shore Unitarian can only happen in an environment of joyful creativity, and steady commitment. I would like to thank the many individuals who make this ministry possible, whether participants, audience, or supporters within our community.

—Alison

The Choir

Our main adult Choir (called “Vox Lumina”) is a group of about 45 dedicated and talented singers who rehearse Thursdays from 7-9 pm. The repertoire ranges from Bach to Gospel, to the best of contemporary music. Alison selects the music to both enhance the services, and challenge the choir members to develop their skills. Practices are challenging and fun, with lots of laughter and time for chatting before choir, and during the break.

The choir sings at least one anthem for Sunday Services every few weeks, an entire choral service at the beginning of December, a traditional Christmas Eve service, and often a major choral concert usually in late May or June.

The choir has performed Vivaldi’s Gloria, the Mozart Missa Brevis, Jenkins’ Adiemus, and his Armed Man to audiences in the West Vancouver United Church, St. Andrews-Wesley, and the Chan Centre for Performing Arts at UBC.

Beginning Singing Classes

If you lack confidence in your ability to sing along with your favourite tunes or congregational songs, you may enjoy Alison’s classes for beginning singers (offered every few years). These classes are designed to put you at ease, and re-introduce you to the joy of singing.

Chimes

On request, Alison will lead a chimes group for a few weeks, culminating in a Sunday morning performance. Let Alison know if you have an interest in this.

Guitar and Ukulele Classes

Once a year, Alison leads one or more sessions of Guitar and Ukulele skills. These are fun, informal classes culminating in leading a congregational song on a Sunday morning.

Music Play Lists

Our Music Director has put together play lists of music we’ve performed at church, including Hymns, Ritual Chants, and Anthems. See the Play Lists HERE.