Words Jo Barnes
Like its namesake, the Lighthouse Community Choir provides a way for those wanting to sing in a community and for a community.
Under the guidance of Artistic Director Ashley Wey, the Sidney-based ensemble of local vocalists will be celebrating its third season with a concert – Songs for a Winter’s Night – on December 13 at St. Paul’s United Church. The concert will feature Canadian content including Gordon Lightfoot and Joni Mitchell as well as pop songs of The Beatles.
“We are here to have fun!” shares Ashley. “We gather to sing, build relationships, spread joy and be a beacon of light in the community.”
Ashley has a deep love of music and an extensive music performing and recording background and decided to launch the choir in September of 2025. “I wanted to start a choir in the heart of the place where I was raised,” she relates. “I was born and raised in Sidney, so this is very full circle for me. I thought to myself ‘How can I serve the community that raised me?’”
The choir, which requires no audition to join, consists of local members representing a range of ages who share a common love for music. “We primarily have members in their 50s, 60s and 70s, although we have had a few younger ones that have come out too. It is a fantastic group of people,” says Ashley. “These people have done incredible things in their lives. It’s a mix of artists and professionals.”
The wide range of ages sometimes produces connections which are surprising. “My grade five teacher is in the choir!” exclaims Ashley.
Song selections each week are based on members’ requests, and Ashley does all the arrangements. “The music content is driven by members. We often draw songs from artists like Stan Rogers, Joni Mitchell, and The Beatles. We do a lot of sea shanties. Afterall, we are a seaside town,” she says.
A multi-faceted artist, Ashley completed a Bachelor of Music with a triple major in performance, arranging and composing and pedagogy. She has performed as a pianist and singer of pop and jazz around the world and recorded numerous albums. She has worked with Juno Award winners such as The Parachute Club and Mae Moore and, working with Sony IMG, collaborated with Canadian Idol winners. Her love of music began as a child. “I’ve been playing piano since I was five. My great grandfather was head of the conservatory in Vancouver, and my mom sang and played piano,” she says. “We had two pianos in the house, and everyone played.”
While Ashley is an accomplished artist in her own right, she enjoys mentoring others. As well as directing Lighthouse Community Choir, she is a teacher in the Contemporary Music Program at Camosun College, the Artistic Director for Universal Jazz Advocates and Mentors Society (UJAM) and a board member of the Seaside Music Festival in which she also heads up the Education Committee.
The choir members working with Ashley arrive with varying musical skills or experiences. Some have sung in choirs; others have participated only in small song circles. Ashley offers resources and support with a view to making music accessible for everyone regardless of background. “I offer quick reference sheets on reading music. They’re like a key on a map or road signs,” she comments. “I also record every session and provide practice tracks so members can go over the songs. If they are away, they can still practice.”
A valuable addition to the choir is talented accompanist Sunny Shams, who began assisting this past year. “Sunny is from Sidney too. In fact, his parents own Alexander’s Coffee,” remarks Ashley. “Sunny was an opera singer and can sing in nine languages. He has a classical background, so our skills complement each other.”
Accompanied by Sunny, members gather each week to celebrate music, enjoy social connection and find inspiration. “I find going to the choir is really the highlight of my week … I can just relax and just sing and sing and sing,” shares choir member Nathalie Cooke. “Music can take a person from tears to laughter in a heartbeat. All of it can lift a person out of themselves. I love it. Music is wonderful therapy.”
Ashley’s objective from the very beginning was to establish community in this choir, and it is that sense of welcome and warmth that resonates with members. “Ashley has a way of filling the room with such welcoming vibes with no pressure. You just can’t help but want to be there,” notes Nathalie.
Like a lighthouse beam, this local choir illuminates the powerful way music can bring a community together.
Rehearsals take place each Sunday from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at St. Paul’s United. For those who might be interested in getting involved with the choir, details can be found at lighthousecommunitychoir.ca
