Words Jo Barnes
Photos Sarah Hartley Photography
It’s a tricky path. You’ve got to warm up those muscles and keep a steady pace. You don’t want any missteps here. And, for Pete’s sake, don’t sing too loud!
A passion for singing is at the heart of Via Choralis, a mixed-voice community chamber choir since 1999, which under artistic director Grant Harville, strive for a unified sound where no single voice stands out alone. “All of us get on the same page. It’s about listening to each other,” shares Grant. “We do a choral warm-up to get voices ready to make one sound.”
Local music enthusiasts will want to hear the musical variety of Via Choralis in its concert “Gloria” on April 26 at St. Elizabeth’s Church in Sidney. Not only will the group perform traditional choral pieces by well-known masters like Handel, Mozart and Vivaldi, but they will also feature Canadian-born composer Nathaniel Dett and modern works by award-winning Indigenous composer, Andrew Balfour.
“The first half of the concert is a sampler while the second half focuses on Vivaldi’s ‘Gloria’,” relates Grant. “Our ensemble has a more classical bent than other groups, but we also lean into Canadian identity. One of the composers we’ll feature is Nathaniel Dett, a leading Black composer from the early 1900s who was a choral conductor and pianist.”
An eclectic repertoire is not unusual for this chorus, who have shared their love of music through a diversity of presentation themes over the years. In addition, community outreach has always been integral to what they do. This month they’ll also be performing concerts at Sidney All Care and Shoal Centre.
Through the rehearsal process, choir members learn to appreciate and blend their voices and build strong connections. “We are continually learning about composers, experiencing new music and working hard to produce the best sound we can as a group. Grant (below) is a wonderful director. We are fortunate to have him,” shares Delia McCrae, President (at right). “Singing new music is a learning process that is also rewarding in many ways. It has been a great way to meet people, connect with the community, and be part of the arts and culture scene.”
It is this sense of community that resonates with Grant. “This is very much a Sidney-based group. They get such joy from the craft of creating music,” he says. “For me music ensembles create community.”
Understanding the details of the music such as notes, tempo and harmonies, and creating the sound with others, all represents a journey for each singer. Grant reflects on how this is echoed in the ensemble’s very name. “Via Choralis means ‘choral way’,” he says. “You could look at that from a couple of angles. ‘What path do you take to do good things in choir?’ and ‘What path does that take you on?’”
Grant understands that singers come with varying skill levels and experiences, so he helps them to access the music so they can sing it. “I want to make sure we start from the place of success,” he relates. “We read through the music, first stripping it down. Maybe we will sing without the words or maybe we’ll just do the notes.”
Grant’s performance background is varied including experience as a tubist, vocalist and violist. Currently, he works with the Civic Orchestra of Victoria, Victoria Symphony, Victoria Harmony Choir and Vancouver Island Chamber Choir. He took on the leadership of Via Choralis in 2025. “Via Choralis reached out to me, and I met with the leadership. I got to hear a dress rehearsal of the group,” he shares.
His affinity for music goes way back in his life. “Music was always part of our lives. My parents were both semi-pro musicians. Mom was a voice teacher, and dad, a church choir director,” says Grant. “I did my music studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Michigan. I like orchestral music, music and history, and conducting puts it all together.”
Whether it’s the spring concert or the presentations at local seniors’ centres, Grant celebrates the value of community in every one. “There are not too many opportunities to come together,” he says. “It’s more than an excuse to put the phone away for one-and-a-half hours. You can sit back and let the music wash over you. That is a shared valuable experience.”
Delia adds: “This choir creates beautiful harmonies and can be very dynamic. Music awakens the senses, the imagination and emotions. It is a pleasure to create and to listen to. I can’t imagine a world without music.”
Listening to others, blending vocals, sharing music and building community lies at the heart of Via Choralis. Like hiking down a new path, members face choral challenges by putting one musical foot in front of the other, working together, and making sure they have a solid “footing” in the community.
www.viachoralis.ca
