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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 thus far have been 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.

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).

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Last updated August, 2010