Christmas with the PGSO

Our History
The Prince George Cantata Singers made its debut in 1968, conducted by Imant Raminsh, founding conductor of the Prince George Symphony Orchestra, in our first performance of Handel's Messiah.  We have grown from that small community choir to become British Columbia’s Central Interior premier adult mixed-voice chorus with up to 80 members and recently celebrated our 50 years of song. Over the years, we have had the privilege of working with many talented and exceptional Music Directors and currently are led by Music Director Ariane Crossland. 

We have performed with celebrated names such as Tyler Duncan, the Celtic Band, Out of Alba, chamber ensemble Borealis String Quartet featuring former Prince George Symphony Orchestra Cellist Joel Stobbe, and with CBC radio personalities. We enjoy performing a variety of musical styles including classical, folk, gospel, jazz, ethnic, and pops and have performed with other local, regional, and national artists. Our long-standing collaboration with the PGSO has resulted in performances of Mozart's Requiem, Spirit of the Haida Gwaii by the late Bill Reid, the songs of Cole Porter, Carl Orff's Carmina Burana, and the biennial production of Handel's Messiah.

We participate in the annual Prince George Music Festival, and in 2019 received the honour of being recommended to attend BC's Provincial competition. We have traveled to other BC communities such as Smithers, Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, and Mackenzie to perform. We also regularly participate in the Prince George Music Festival, in community fundraisers and outreach performances. We are proud to play an active role in the local arts community.

After 50 wonderful years, sharing our voices with each other and the surrounding community continues to be our passion!  If singing is your passion, come try us out!  Everyone who loves to sing is welcome to join us. 

Nove Voce is Italian for "nine voices"

The Nove Voce Choral Society was formed in 2005 by a small group of Robin Norman's accomplished voice students.  The initial group started as volunteers for the Salvation Army's Christmas Kettle Campaign, singing carols in various locations, and raising over $1,000.

Evolving from this small group, the choir is now 27 members strong. We perform a regular choral season, as well as sing for charity and community events, paid gigs, and collaborations with local and regional performers.

Selected highlights

• Two silvers at the European Choir Games, Grand Prix of Nations (2019)
• First place at the National Music Festival, Class 100 (2019)
• Second place at the National Music Festival, Honorarble Barbara A. Hagerman Class (2018)
• International Choral Kathaumixw competitors (2016)
• Best Overall Choir at Provincial Music Festival (2016, 2018)
• Winner of the Provincial Music Festival, Honorable Barbara A. Hagerman Class (2016, 2018)
• Winner of the Provincial Music Festival, Richard Cook Class (2007, 2011, 2014)
• Singers at the Official Winter Olympics Torch ceremony (2010)
• Commissioned choral piece from Stephen Hatfield (2009)
• Superior Standing at Edmonton Kiwanis Music Festival (2009)
• Third place in National Music Festival (2007)

ROBIN NORMAN, Choir Director
Robin is accredited with a Bachelor of Music from UBC. She is an active member of the Prince George Arts community, often volunteering her performance and professional services.

Robin has served on several boards, including Performing Arts BC, Theatre BC, and the Prince George Music Festival, as well as adjudicated on many occasions throughout the province.

Along with choral directing, Robin has run her own voice studio for over 15 years: In the Dark Productions. She is exceptionally proud of her students, many of whom have gone on to professional careers in music, performance, and teaching.

Mexican-Canadian tenor Sergio Augusto has a burning passion for operatic music and its power to move the human heart. He is a proud member of the Vancouver Opera Ensemble since 2019.

His most recent performances in Canada include: King Kaspar in Vancouver Opera’s first film production of Menotti’s christmas opera ‘Amahl and the Night Visitors’. Tenor soloist with Laudate Singers’ Mozart Requiem and featured in the Canadian premiere of Pulitzer winning opera ‘Angel’s Bone’ co-produced by Sound the Alarm Music Theatre, Re:Naissance Opera, and Loose Tea Music Theatre. 

During his stay in the U.K. Augusto performed leading roles such as Orombello in Bellini’s rarely performed ‘Beatrice di Tenda’ with the London Bel Canto Festival which garnered glowing reviews. Anthony Evans (planethugill.com) praised his “charisma, silvery tone and clarity of language”. Alexander Campbell (classicalsource.com) praised his performance of “generous lyricism allied to a voice of warmth and lots of light and shade”. He also sang Alfredo in Verdi’s ‘La Traviata’ with Hampstead Garden Opera and Pavilion Opera, and The Earl of Leicester in Donizetti’s tragic opera ‘Maria Stuarda’ in Pavilion Opera’s closing season. 

He has studied with a number of renowned performers and teachers including Canadian Soprano Heidi Klassen and operatic legend Soprano Virginia Zeani. He currently studies with Bel Canto specialist Ken Querns-Langley. 

Sergio will feature next in leading roles in Burnaby Lyric Opera’s double bill of Puccini's 'Gianni Schicchi' and Leoncavallo's 'Il Pagliacci' as the self-absorbed lover Rinuccio and the charming harlequin Beppe respectively.

You can keep up to date with his schedule and latest news at:

www.sergioaugustotenor.com