Choral Scholars
Choral Scholarships
The post of Choral Scholar offers an unrivalled opportunity for a student singer to gain experience singing some of the finest choral works in resonant acoustics, working alongside professional musicians and learning a wide range of church music performed to the highest standards.
The post is offered for one year, and may be renewed for up to three more years. Four Choral Scholarships of up to $2,000 annually, based on a remuneration per service (ie, rehearsal and church services).
Eligibility
The Scholarships are available to undergraduate and post-graduate students with good sight-reading skills and suitable choral experience.
About St James’ Choir
St James’ has a strong choral tradition in singing the Anglican Choral Repertoire (eg, Byrd, Victoria, Duruflé, Stanford, Howells) in an architecturally and acoustically stunning setting, which includes a three-manual Casavant Frères pipe organ. The choir is conducted by Gerald Harder
About St James’ Church
We are an Anglican Church in the liberal Catholic Anglican tradition, and welcome people of all Christian traditions and backgrounds. We aim to be a place of spiritual, intellectual and emotional refreshment.
Services and Rehearsals
Choral scholars sing three to four Sunday morning church services per month (with an occasional evening service), as well as associated rehearsals (chiefly Thursday evenings). Preference is given to singers who are able to commit to the Midnight Mass of Christmas and a busy Holy Week (the week leading up to Easter Day).
Choral Scholars 2016/17
Tiffany Vrioni-Das
Tiffany was born and raised in the parish of Saint Helier on the small island of Jersey in the United Kingdom. At age 5, she began private piano lessons under the instruction of Terri O’Donoghue. Whilst attending Jersey College for Girls school, Tiffany joined the chamber choir aged 12 and has been passionate about singing ever since. Tiffany has received certificates in gold and silver from the Jersey Eisteddfod for piano, solo voice and choral performances. She is currently studying at Capilano University as a voice major under the instruction of Heather Pawsey. Tiffany particularly enjoys the choral aspect of the Music diploma program and has sung with both Capilano Festival choir and Capilano singers. She is especially interested in early music and rehearses weekly with a renaissance vocal quartet. Tiffany hopes to go on to become a teacher or performer of early music. What Tiffany enjoys most about being in St James’ choir is having the opportunity sing early music masterpieces in such a visually and acoustically beautiful setting.
Charmaine Iormetti
Charmaine began her vocal studies at Capilano University in 2014, taking part in the Festival Chorus as a soprano. She began her private instruction in voice with Heather Pawsey in January 2015, and is presently under her tutelage. In June 2016, Charmaine took part in Opera Opulenza’s production of Cavalleria Rusticana as a chorus member (soprano). She was also selected to participate in the UBC Summer Vocal Workshop in 2016 and 2017. Prior to the commencement of the 2016-17 academic year, Charmaine was invited by her choral professor at Capilano to sing in his professional chamber choir, Laudate Singers. Charmaine is currently a Music Diploma student at Capilano University, aspiring to further her studies in Vocal Performance. She sings as an alto in the Capilano University Singers, and enjoys it very much. A few of Charmaine’s interests include reading books, and going out to see music performances around Vancouver. What she enjoys most about singing at St James’ is the beauty and depth of the sacred music that is sung, and how it speaks to the human soul.
Curtis Sharp
Though Curtis was born in the US, he has always been Canadian. He studied sociology and classical trumpet at the University of Victoria, and toured with many vocal groups including Vocal Jazz Ensemble, A Cappella, Men’s Quartet, and a choral ensemble that toured Eastern Europe, Mexico and Canada. Curtis sang for four years with the First Metropolitan United Church choir in Victoria. Currently, Curtis is studying Jazz Voice at Capilano University. In addition to his studies, he is a part-time instructor of martial arts. Other interests include computers, electronic music, and climbing mountains. What Curtis enjoys most about St James’ is the sense of acceptance and belonging, and feeling welcomed in this church community. He also enjoys a bit of challenge that comes with learning new types of music.
Paul Wilson
Paul Wilson is a multi-instrumentalist who grew up in Penticton, BC. He began piano lessons at age 6 and has played a variety of instruments throughout his life. Paul has studied at Capilano University and has a BA from UBC. He is currently enrolled in the Professional Development Program at Simon Fraser University, studying to becoming a high school music teacher. Paul has a great appreciation for choral music and has been in a number of choirs throughout his life, most notably the Capilano University Singers, a national and international prize-winning ensemble. Some of his other interests are playing guitar, reading and cooking. What he enjoys most about St James’ is the interesting music we get to sing every week.