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History
The Cowichan Consort Orchestra was founded in September 1991. Organized by Robert Fox and John Evans with help from Joy Ann Bannerman and Ian Gregory, the first rehearsal took place on October 22 at Woodmere on Maple Bay Road with John Evans as conductor. Bannerman's initial musician list held 41 names as the Cowichan Valley was ripe for the start of a community orchestra. Fox was the first Manager and laid out the debut concert for April 11th 1992 at Brentwood College featuring the Faure Requiem sung by the Duncan Choral Society accompanied by the Orchestra with Evans conducting. The following week two daytime school concerts led by Bannerman were presented.
September 1992 brought Jean-Marie Kent to the podium as Evans moved up-island. At age 23 and fresh with a Masters degree in conducting, she moved the orchestra from its beginnings to a greater depth of repertoire and concert styles. Her passion for each piece was contagious for the orchestra and the audiences. She formed the Cowichan Consort Choir so large choral - orchestral works could be performed such as Handel's Messiah. She began the concerto competition for young local artists which continued under Consort violinist Wendy Robb's management, and this year, Board member Jean Moore.
Notable highlights during Kent's 9 years with the orchestra were the Opera Extravaganza with the Three Divas, Musikaleidoscope with 175 students from School District #79 on stage performing excerpts from classical masterpieces, Menotti's opera Amahl and the Night Visitors featuring boy soprano Philippe Granger as Amahl, and Kent's Finale Concert featuring Mendelssohn's Reformation Symphony.
Duncan Frater accepted the conductor position with Kent's departure to New York City and the orchestra was put in capable hands with his Masters in conducting background as well. Frater commenced the 10th Season with the Consort's third bi-annual Strauss Masked Ball orchestra fundraiser at Arbutus Ridge Golf and Country Club and four more concerts in the 2001-02 season.
Highlights were the Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue Concert featuring the Consort Choir's resident accompanist Dwight Siemens, Opera Favourites 2003 Concert featuring soloists Rachel Perkyns, Colleen Ball, Bill Kelly, and Douglas Sharp. Haydn's Creation with Betty Allison and Ken Lavigne, and recently a program featuring Allison Arends soprano, offering Mozart followed by Dvorak's Eighth Symphony.
After nine years with the Consort Mr Frater now works full time in Victoria. Our 20th Season featured two guest conductors.
We are happy to announce Mr Robert Van Mari has been given the position of Conductor-Music Director as we begin our 21st Season.
Concerts are usually performed at the Duncan Christian Reform Church or the Cowichan Community Centre Theatre with the Strauss Ball at Arbutus Ridge. The Concerto Competition is hosted by Judith and Scott McIvor in Maple Bay each year and the resulting Vancouver Island young musician receives a chance to play with the orchestra. The Monday orchestra and Wednesday evening choir rehearsals are held weekly in Sylvan United Church, Mill Bay.
Performing a widely varied program of music mainly from classical literature, the orchestra meets a fresh challenge to its members with each of its concerts. New players are welcome, new choir members also, with the season running September to May.
Major choral performances given by the Cowichan Consort Orchestra and Choir since its formation in 1991 (in addition to orchestral works only).
| Date | PERFORMANCES BY ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR |
| April 1992 | Faure Requiem (with the Duncan Choral Society) |
| November 1992 | Haydn Creation Mass |
| December 1995 | Handel's Messiah (with the Cowichan Philharmonic Choir) |
| December 1996 | Handel's Messiah (with the Cowichan Philharmonic Choir) |
| April 1997 | Mozart Great Mass in C Minor |
| December 1997 | Nine Lessons and Carols |
| December 1998 | Charpentier Messe a Minuit |
| April 1999 | Opera Extravaganza with The Three Divas |
| December 1999 | Handel's Messiah |
| December 2000 | Conrad Susa Carols and Lullabies G. C. Menotti Amahl and the Night Visitors (with the Consort Choir) |
| May 2001 | J. S. Bach Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott, BVW 80 |
| December 2001 | Handel's Messiah |
| May 2002 | Schubert Mass in E Flat |
| December 2002 | Gounod Solemn Mass of Saint Cecelia |
| March 2003 | Verdi Laudi Alla Vergine Maria (with the Consort Ladies' Choir) |
| May 2003 | Opera Favourites (with the Consort Choir and soloists) |
| April 2004 | Dvorak Mass in D Op. 96 |
| December 2004 | Haydn The Creation |
| March 2005 | Palestrina Adoramus Te Martini Plaisir d'Amour |
| May 2005 | Faure Requiem |
| December 2005 | Vivaldi Gloria |
| March 2006 | Three works by W. A. Mozart |
| May 2006 | Maurice Durufle Requiem |
| December 2006 | Handel's Messiah |
| December 2007 | Gounod Solemn Mass of St Cecelia |
| May 2008 | A Compilation Mass - Rossini, Faure, Schubert, Mozart, Gounod, Dvorak |
| December 2008 | Handel's Messiah |
| May 2009 | Karl Jenkin's The Armed Man-Mass of Peace |
| November 2009 | Vaughn Williams Dona Nobis Pacem |
| April 2010 | Karl Jenkins Stabat Mater |
| November 2010 | Schubert Mass #2 in G major Beethoven Choral Fantasy in C minor Op 80 |
| December 2010 | Handel's Messiah Sing-Along |
| March 2011 | Vivaldi Gloria |
| June 2011 | Durante Magnificat Brahms Schicksalslied Op. 54 |
| November 2011 | Palmeri Misa a Buenos Aires |
| December 2011 | Handel's Messiah - Singalong |
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Last updated February, 2011
