The Aurora Celebration Choir was founded by Amy Stephen and has been singing joyfully, performing for neighbourhood audiences, and raising money for local charities for many years. Below are a few pics from over the years. We welcome all singers who love to gather joyfully and harmonize. We have a lot of fun, and we sing a lot of songs. Singing pop and traditional songs from around the world, Aurora celebrates through music and poetry.
2023 Fall Session begins Sept. 13 - Jan. 17
Wednesday evenings at 7:15 at St. Augustine's Anglican Church (in Marpole)
Concert Sunday, Jan. 21st at 2:30 pm
Come join us! Being able to read music is helpful, but not necessary. If you're unsure of your vocal part, you can meet with Amy in person, on the phone, or over Zoom to help determine your vocal range. We provide rehearsal tracks to help with learning parts and for home practice in case you have to miss a rehearsal or two. We have 16 rehearsals, and perform a concert that includes special guest musicians.
Fees: $150 for Fall session, paid by e-transfer or by cheque at rehearsal
As always, we have a sliding scale that you can discuss confidentially with our director.
Our repertoire for this season includes:
I Feel the Earth Move Under My Feet (Carole King)
Come Healing (Leonard Cohen)
Estrella Blanca (Victor C. Johnson)
Song for a Winter's Night (Gordon Lightfoot)
Kang Ding Love Song (Li Yi-Ruo)
Hope Lingers On (Lissa Schneckenburger)
Skye Boat Song (Trad. Scotland)
Neighbourhood Fearlessness (Jon Morris - local composer!)
Thule Klizeo (Joseph Shabalala - Zulu lyrics)
Teach Your Children (CSNY)
When the pandemic hit, most choirs went online if they could. Aurora kept singing online weekly just to stay together.
This 'Harp Circle Choir' is made up of many Aurora singers, plus others, performing "The Parting Glass", arranged by Amy.
This 'Harp Circle Choir' is made up of many Aurora singers, plus others, performing "The Parting Glass", arranged by Amy.
Here are a few Aurora Celebration Choir audio tracks from different years ~ enjoy!
Maculele
a Brazilian song of welcome (from the album Nazare Pereira) featuring soloist Juan Saldarriaga
a Brazilian song of welcome (from the album Nazare Pereira) featuring soloist Juan Saldarriaga
Blue Green Hills of Earth
the beautiful anthem for the earth from Paul Winter's Missa Gaia
the beautiful anthem for the earth from Paul Winter's Missa Gaia
Sur le Pont d'Avignon
a Quebecois call & response featuring Graham Tait on lead vocals, feet & accordion,
based on performance by La Boutine Souriante. So much fun!
a Quebecois call & response featuring Graham Tait on lead vocals, feet & accordion,
based on performance by La Boutine Souriante. So much fun!
About the Director: Amy Stephen
While completing her Bachelor of Music degree at the University of British Columbia from 1988 - 1992, Amy was fortunate to study choral conducting with James Fankhauser, who directed the University Singers. She also studied classical voice and piano. Amy was a member of the University Chamber Singers, and has appeared throughout the years with the Vancouver Chamber Choir, musica intima, the Vancouver Cantata Singers, and the One Human Family Gospel Choir. As a featured soloist and instrumentalist, Amy has performed and recorded with Chor Leoni, Elektra, Laudate Singers and Capilano University Singers.
While living in Nanaimo from 2016-2019, Amy founded and directed the Phrase-ology Choir as well as
the Island Baha'i Choir, and was director of the St. Paul's Anglican Church chancel choir.
Over the past 25 years Amy has professionally directed the following choirs: Aurora Celebration Choir, the Harp Circle Choir, Joyful Voice Community Choir, Coquitlam Celebration Choir, Gilmore Park United Church Choir, Bring Your Own Voice Community Choir, St. Augustine's Anglican Church Choir, and interfaith One Voice Choir.
For several years, while Amy was in Nanaimo, Aurora was continued and directed by Amy's mom,
the very talented Elsie Stephen.
Amy's choral compositions and arrangements have been published by Hal Leonard and Cypress Publishing, and have been performed by choirs across North America.
Amy received her Bachelor of Music degree in voice and piano, and her Bachelor of Education degree (Secondary, Choral Specialist), from the University of British Columbia. She has spent the last 15 years teaching music in BC schools and currently teaches for SD40.
While completing her Bachelor of Music degree at the University of British Columbia from 1988 - 1992, Amy was fortunate to study choral conducting with James Fankhauser, who directed the University Singers. She also studied classical voice and piano. Amy was a member of the University Chamber Singers, and has appeared throughout the years with the Vancouver Chamber Choir, musica intima, the Vancouver Cantata Singers, and the One Human Family Gospel Choir. As a featured soloist and instrumentalist, Amy has performed and recorded with Chor Leoni, Elektra, Laudate Singers and Capilano University Singers.
While living in Nanaimo from 2016-2019, Amy founded and directed the Phrase-ology Choir as well as
the Island Baha'i Choir, and was director of the St. Paul's Anglican Church chancel choir.
Over the past 25 years Amy has professionally directed the following choirs: Aurora Celebration Choir, the Harp Circle Choir, Joyful Voice Community Choir, Coquitlam Celebration Choir, Gilmore Park United Church Choir, Bring Your Own Voice Community Choir, St. Augustine's Anglican Church Choir, and interfaith One Voice Choir.
For several years, while Amy was in Nanaimo, Aurora was continued and directed by Amy's mom,
the very talented Elsie Stephen.
Amy's choral compositions and arrangements have been published by Hal Leonard and Cypress Publishing, and have been performed by choirs across North America.
Amy received her Bachelor of Music degree in voice and piano, and her Bachelor of Education degree (Secondary, Choral Specialist), from the University of British Columbia. She has spent the last 15 years teaching music in BC schools and currently teaches for SD40.