Allegra Singers Formal Picture

Our goal is to enjoy our music, improve our s​kills, entertain our audience… and have fun in the process! We perform a wide variety of music – from classical to jazz, gospel to musical theatr​e, world music to pop, folk, rock… you get the picture.

The Allegra Singers is a community choir in beautiful Victo​​ria, British Columbia, Canada. ​We’ve bee​​n making music together for over 25 years! ​

About Us

The Allegra Singers is a non-auditioned, community-based choir that has enjoyed performing in many events and holding regular concerts since 1996. Larger performances have included “2000 Voices” to celebrate the millennium, “Sing for a Lifetime” in 2002, and a 2018 tour of Ireland. We’ve also enjoyed more intimate performances for small groups and local businesses. Our venues have ranged from Hatley and Craigdarroch Castles to singing in the park in Ganges on Saltspring Island.

We are a registered charity and non-profit society dedicated to contributing to local causes. Every year the choir members choose the recipients of our efforts. See our Community page for examples.

We acknowledge the support of the Province of British Columbia.

Our Director

Allegra Singers is very pleased to welcome Lana Betts as our new choral director in January 2023. Lana’s choral directing experience has included other community choirs in the greater Victoria region and beyond. Choirs include the Mardi Minstrels in Oak Bay, the Esquimalt United Church choir, and the Knox Presbyterian Church choir in Sooke. Having spent a few years in Iceland, Lana also directed the Choir of Stykkisholmur Church there.

Lana holds a Bachelor of Music from McGill University, graduate-level studies in musical pedagogy from the University of Calgary, and a diploma in voice pedagogy from the Victoria Conservatory of Music. Welcome Lana!

Our Accompanist

Alistair Kornelsen is an extraordinary pianist and accompanist who has worked with the Allegra Singers since 2017. Alistair holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano from the Augustana Campus at the University of Alberta and brings a wide range of experience and expertise to the choir.

We have been very blessed to have Alistair continue with us: first by leading a small but determined group through our tentative return to singing in Winter 2021, and then as we returned to full season in Spring and Winter 2022. Their precision and wonderful talent never ceases to amaze us!

BCCF

The Allegra Singers is a proud member of the BC Choral Federation

Concerts

The Allegra Singers is proud to present our…

Winter 2023 Concert Series

When? Friday, December 8 at 8pm and Saturday, December 9 at 2pm. Doors open 30 mins before each show.
Where? First Church of Christ, Scientist, 1205 Pandora Ave., Victoria, BC.
How can I purchase tickets? Securely online through PayPal below, or at the door (cash only). Children 12 and under are free!

Come enjoy the wonderful blend of seasonal favourites and more… from the chorus, the talented soloists, and small ensembles. Allegra Singers is lead by the musical creativity of our director, Lana Betts and our amazingly talented pianist, Alistair Kornelsen.

Every season the Allegra Singers give back to the community by making a donation to a local charity. Visit our community page to learn more about this season’s selected charity.

Purchase Tickets

Friday Dec 8, 2023 @ 8:00 pm

Saturday Dec 9, 2023 @ 2:00 pm

Sign up to receive information on upcoming concerts. Email outreach@allegrasingers.com to be added to our list of supporters.

Thank you for your continued support!

Contact

Sign up to receive information on upcoming concerts. Email outreach@allegrasingers.com to be added to our list of supporters.

About Joining Allegra

We welcome your inquiries about joining the Allegra Singers. Here’s some general information:

There are no auditions.  All you need is a good ear and want to sing, and be willing to put in some practice time!

We are a non-profit society under BC’s Societies Act, dedicated to supporting local charities and the community through our concert proceeds and other performances.

Continue reading “Contact”

Community

The Allegra Singers are proud to support local charities.  Every concert series our members select one local organization to promote and support during our concerts.  Partial proceeds from that concert are donated to the supported charity. The following are some of the charities we have supported over the years.

Alzheimer Society

https://alzheimer.ca/bc/en

Our Mission: Together with people with lived experience, we mobilize a broad community of care and support research into the disease to ensure people affected by dementia are not alone. 
Our Vision: Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and that world begins with a society where people affected by dementia are welcomed, supported and included. (Winter 2023)

MOVE Adapted Fitness

http://moveadaptedfitness.ca/

Our Mission: Making physical activity accessible for all members of our community who need assistance reaching their mobility goals. A commitment to decrease physical and financial barriers is demonstrated through provision of specialized equipment, trained support, and affordable services.
Our Vision: To provide accessible and therapeutic exercise to empower people of all physical abilities to experience the enjoyment of moving through life. (Spring 2023)

Rainbow Kitchen

https://rainbowkitchen.ca/about/

Our Mission: To provide food security and access to resources to all that we welcome through effective community partnerships.
Our Vision: To fill bellies and feed souls in the communities we serve. (Winter 2022)

Ukrainian Studies Society

Traditionally, the Ukrainian Studies Society supports Ukrainian educational, cultural and religious studies, activities and programs. In 2022, due to the war crisis in Ukraine, they supported displaced people from the Ukraine intending to come to Victoria. (Spring 2022)

Dandelion Outreach Services Program – Our Place Society

https://www.ourplacesociety.com/
Our Mission: To provide a sense of hope and belonging to Greater Victoria’s most vulnerable citizens. Our Place offers Greater Victoria’s most vulnerable citizens a place to call their own, where we live, share and grow together.
Our Vision: Nourishment, hope and belonging for all. (Winter 2021)

Royal & McPherson Theatres Society

https://www.rmts.bc.ca/
Our Mission: Enriching the quality of life in the region, through a sustainable and relevant performing arts centre. 
Our Vision: To be the integral hub for performing arts of the region, recognized for diverse and valued performances, professional standards, and historic spaces. (2020-21)

Mustard Seed

https://mustardseed.ca/
Our Mission: To build community and maintain relationships, providing essential and transformative services to those in need.
Our Vision: A compassionate community where the cycles of poverty have been broken and lives restored. (Spring 2020)

Burnside Gorge Community Association

https://burnsidegorge.ca/
Our Mission: To lead, promote and support initiatives which encourage healthy, inclusive, and socially just living.
Our Vision: To be a recognized leader in bringing innovation and sustainability to our diverse communities through responsive and unique programs and services. (Spring 2020)

Inter-cultural Association of Greater Victoria

https://www.icavictoria.org/
Our Mission: To support the full integration of newcomer immigrants and refugees into the social, economic and civic life of the Capital Region of British Columbia.
Our Vision: That no one who joins our community should ever feel vulnerable or alone. (Winter 2019)

Victoria Hospice

https://www.victoriahospice.org/
Our Mission: To enhance the quality of life for those facing life-limiting illness, death and bereavement through patient and family centred care, education, research and advocacy.
Our Vision: Quality palliative end-of-life care for all. (Spring 2019)

Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association

http://vtra.ca/
Mission: To provide a therapeutic horseback riding program for children and adults with disabilities that promotes and enriches their physical, psychological and social well-being.
What we do: VTRA is a non-profit charitable organization that uses horseback riding as a recognized therapeutic aid for people with a wide range of physical, intellectual and learning disabilities. (Winter 2018)

Pacific Center Family Services Association

https://www.pacificcentrefamilyservices.org/ 
​​​Mission: By encouraging healthy patterns of living, Pacific Centre Family Services enhances and promotes the quality and dignity of life of individuals and families within our diverse community.​
What we do: Pacific Centre Family Services Association is dedicated to maintaining outstanding services for the people we work with through education, counselling and creative programming. (Spring 2018)

​​Lifetime Networks

http://www.lifetimenetworks.org/ 
​​​Mission: We build and maintain Networks of lifetime friendships to support people with disabilities.​
Vision: We see a future where people with disabilities live safely in their communities, where they can fulfill their potential, and enjoy lifelong friendships and support. (Winter 2017)

Vancouver Island Men’s Trauma Counselling Society

http://www.menstrauma.com/
Our Mission: To provide psychological and practical support to facilitate healing for males and people who identify as male, sixteen years and older, who experience the effects of trauma. (Spring 2017)

Artemis Place Society

http://artemisplace.org/
Our Mission: To provide holistic social and emotional support and high school education to young women and trans-youth in our nurturing community, as well as provide an enriched early childhood experience to infants and toddlers of young parents while modeling care-giving skills and supporting each student in their parenting. (Winter 2016)

Victoria Sexual Assault Centre

http://vsac.ca/
The Victoria Sexual Assault Centre is a feminist organization committed to ending sexualized violence through healing, education, and prevention. We are dedicated to supporting women and all trans survivors of sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse, through advocacy, counselling, and empowerment. (Spring 2016)

Pacific Animal Therapy Society (P.A.T.S)

http://patspets.ca/wordpress/
Pacific Animal Therapy Society (PATS) is an animal therapy program which operates primarily on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. PATS satellite offices are also in Nanaimo, Campbell River, Parksville/Qualicum Beach, with volunteers from the Malahat to Campbell River. Volunteers take their pets to visit hospitals, retirement facilities, group homes, schools, preschools, daycares and other facilities where residents benefit from interaction with pets. (Winter 2015)

Transition House

http://www.transitionhouse.net/
Victoria Women’s Transition House Society, working collaboratively, provides shelter, support, counselling and education to women of all ages, with or without children, so that they can live free from the effects of abuse in intimate relationships. The Society strives to prevent and eliminate abuse through education, advocacy and partnerships. (Spring 2015)

SportAssist

http://www.sportassist.ca/
SportAssist is a Langford based organization committed to the goal of keeping sport affordable and accessible to youth in our community, enabling anyone wanting to participate in an organized sport with the means and opportunity to do so. (Winter 2014)

READ Society

http://readsociety.bc.ca/
READ Society’s Vision: Everyone in society has the literacy skills to contribute to their full potential. (Spring 2014)

ALS Society of BC

http://www.alsbc.ca/
The ALS Society of BC is dedicated to providing direct support to ALS patients, along with their families and caregivers, to ensure the best quality of life possible while living with this disease. (Winter 2013)

Victoria Brain Injury Society

http://vbis.ca/
Providing support, education and advocacy to people with acquired brain injury on Vancouver Island. (Spring 2013)

Threshold Housing Society

http://www.thresholdhousing.ca/
Youth achieving independence through safe, supportive housing solutions. (Winter 2012)

Westshore Food Bank

http://www.islandnet.com/~foodbank/
Bringing the community together to provide food supplies to Westshore residents who are hungry. (Spring 2012)

Victoria Youth Empowerment Society

http://www.vyes.ca/
Seeking to make a positive difference in the lives of youth and their families. (Winter 2011)

Woodwynn Farms

http://woodwynnfarms.org/
Woodwynn Farms is a 193-acre organic farm for our therapeutic community for the homeless, offering an opportunity to change people’s lives with educational and work programs based on responsibility, dignity, independence and the principles of peer-to-peer help. (Spring 2011)

Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary – Bridges to Nature Campaign

http://www.swanlake.bc.ca
A place to explore. A world to discover. (Winter 2010)

Mustard Seed Food Bank

http://mustardseed.ca
The Mustard Seed is a non-profit fighting hunger and restoring faith to hurting souls in Greater Victoria. (Spring 2010)

Jeneece Place

http://jeneeceplace.org
Jeneece Place is a home away from home for families who travel to Victoria for medical care. (Winter 2009)

Cystic Fibrosis Canada – Victoria Chapter

http://cysticfibrosisvictoria.ca
Breathing life into the future. (Spring 2009)

Burnside Gorge Community Outreach

http://www.burnsidegorge.ca
The purpose of the Burnside Gorge Community Association is to lead, promote and support prevention and intervention based initiatives which encourage healthy, inclusive, and socially just living. (Winter 2008)

Habitat for Humanity

http://habitatvictoria.com/
Building homes, building hope in our community. (Winter 2007 and Spring 2008)

Victoria Hospice

http://www.victoriahospice.org/
Victoria Hospice is a registered charity that has, since 1980, provided end-of-life care focused on palliative treatment. (Spring 2007 and also prior to 2005)

Firefighters Burn Fund

http://firefightersburnfundvictoria.ca
Dedicated to the treatment, support, prevention and education related to burn and fire injuries. (Winter 2006)

Women In Need

http://www.womeninneed.ca/
At Victoria Women In Need Community Cooperative (WIN), we support women along their journey between crisis, financial self sufficiency and wellness. Our programs are there for women along each step of her journey. (Spring 2006)

The Cridge Respitality Service

http://cridge.org/rr/respitality/
The Cridge Respitality Service provides parents or guardians of a child with a disability a chance for rest and rejuvenation in a welcoming and comfortable environment while their child receives respite care in the family home. (Fall 2005)

Ovarian Cancer Society

http://www.cancer.ca/british%20columbia-yukon.aspx
Chosen by Allegra members prior to Fall 2005

Angel Flight

http://angelflight.ca/

Angel Flight of British Columbia is a charitable, non-profit organization that provides air transportation for cancer patients needing medical services at hospitals and centralized medical care facilities in Vancouver and Victoria. (prior to Winter 2005)

Cridge Centre for the Family

http://cridge.org/
Chosen by Allegra members prior to Winter 2005