The 45-member Sooke Philharmonic Chorus along with a 33-piece Chamber Orchestra will combine on April 3rd to perform music by W.A. Mozart and by local composer and SPO Chorus Master Nicholas Fairbank. 

Nicholas Fairbank’s Orion Vespers was commissioned in 2017 by First Unitarian Church of Victoria. A setting of an original Latin text by the Reverend Frances Dearman modelled on the ancient Roman rite of Vespers as sung every evening in convents and monasteries from the Middle Ages to the present day.  Rev. Dearman has created a secular yet spiritual text for the 21st century which invites us to listen to the sounds of the evening, walk in the woods to observe nature, and meditate on our lives. The 30-minute work uses a string orchestra augmented by flute, clarinet and French horn.

Mozart’s famous Requiem, K. 626, needs little introduction. Used extensively in the soundtrack of the Forman/Shaffer film “Amadeus”, and regularly performed by choirs around the world, this will be a premiere for the Sooke Philharmonic. The choir and orchestra were preparing to perform this piece two years ago when just two weeks before the performance date they had to shut down all rehearsals and performances because of Covid. “We are delighted to be back working on this wonderful music,” says Fairbank, “and so pleased to have with us four fine local soloists.”

For full details visit the Sooke Philharmonic Website

Tickets are sold at the door and online. $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, and under 18 are free.