Ruthe Tiessen & Lois Steeves

Sections: Alto 2 & Sop 2
Years active:
2001 – 2015 & 1970 – 2013

Celebrating VCS Alumni –
Ruthe Tiessen and Lois Steeves

Victoria Choral Society has played an important part in the lives of alumnae Ruthe Tiessen and Lois Steeves.

Ruthe joined VCS in 2001 after working up the courage to audition for then conductor Michael Gormley. She recalls arriving at Christ Church Cathedral, entering a dark sanctuary with one light showing over the piano. For a moment, it felt rather intimidating, but somehow the ice was broken when it turned out that Michael knew a voice teacher at Mt. Allison University, Ruthe’s Alma Mater. He suggested that she try singing tenor, which she did and thoroughly enjoyed, before eventually moving to the alto section. For Ruthe, it was thrilling to sing big choral works with a large choir and always a joy to hear how unified the choir was becoming. Ruthe served as Music Librarian for a while, helped by her friend Linda Yorath, and when Linda became Librarian, Ruthe assisted until she retired from VCS.

Lois was a member of VCS for over 43 years and it was there that she met the love of her life, John Steeves, who was a two-time President of the Society. Rodney Webster was then the music director, and Lois served on the Board as Social Convener, at a time when having socials was a little easier for a variety of reasons. Later, Lois served as Archivist and she wrote the history of the society in the publication of the 50th Anniversary Program. Lois always enjoyed Tuesday night rehearsals and singing Messiah, along with other works. She recalls once singing the oratorio Samson on a gloomy evening. The choir began singing about “light”, when suddenly, the sun came streaming through the windows. Lois says, “This is a moment I have never forgotten”. Lois treasures an engraved silver tray, presented to John and Lois on their wedding day. “Thank you, VCS, for the great memories!”

Ruthe and Lois now sing together in the Cordova Bay United Church Choir. For both, VCS has been a gift in their lives, giving them lasting friendships and memories of wonderful music. They congratulate Victoria Choral Society on its 90th Anniversary, wishing the members many more years of beautiful singing together. They enjoyed our Mozart Requiem concert in November.

Barbara Myers, Rachel Rogers, & Charlotte Danard

Sections: Sop 2, Alto 1, & Alto 2
Year joined: 2022, 2019, & 2022

Barbara has sung in community choirs for forty years in Winnipeg and Toronto. Singing has always been her great pleasure and comfort and has provided wonderful opportunities for performance, study and friendship. Barbara sang with The VOCA Chorus of Toronto with Charlotte and Rachel, attended Lake Field Music summer camp at the same time as Charlotte and all shared the great pleasure of performing at Carnegie Hall in NYC with VOCA. Such a treat! Barbara was delighted to find that her fellow singers had landed with the Victoria Choral Society after relocating to Victoria.

A special moment for Barbara in VCS occurred the first time the choir rehearsed with the Symphony. She says: “These musical collaborations continue to be beautiful and moving every time”. Barbara not only sings with the soprano section but also assists from time to time on the Marketing Committee.

For Rachel, growing up in James Bay, music has been central in her world, leading to a Music degree in Oboe at UVic. A Master’s Degree in Library and Information Studies at McGill followed, culminating in Librarian work at CBC Radio in Toronto. Singing is a key part of Rachel’s music making, and when a McGill connection led to her a library position here, her love of choral singing brought her to VCS and reconnection with 3 choristers, Barbara, Charlotte and VCS Alumna Christina Lunn! Performing Prokofiev’s Alexander Nevsky in her first year at UVic opened up a world of choral music for Rachel, honing her vocal skills to make her a most welcome addition to our alto section!

Charlotte sang in two choirs in Toronto. She met fellow VCS members in VOCA Chorus, which sang a marvelous mix of classical, jazz, show tunes, and world music. She also sang in a small jazz choir called “The Jazz Project” where, due to acapella pieces and small numbers of singers per section, “there was nowhere to hide!” In 2022, she moved to Victoria. Her friend Christina arranged an audition for VCS and a week later, she was happily singing in the alto section and shortly after that, became a member of the Board! Charlotte still enjoys attending Lake Field Music Camp in the summer.

Charlotte’s “moment to remember” in VCS occurred at Christ Church Cathedral when the choir sang Coleridge’s Requiem and afterwards, audience members, not known by name, surrounded her to speak of their love of the piece and how it was presented. A special moment, indeed!

Andrew and Heather Russell

Sections: Bass & Alto 1
Year joined: 2023

Siblings Andrew and Heather Russell grew up in Duncan, BC.

Heather spent her childhood begging for violin lessons, which somehow led to piano lessons. After spending nearly three years accompanying the Frances Kelsey Secondary School choir, she decided she’d much prefer singing in the choir and never turned back. Her education took her to Victoria, Waterloo, Seattle, and Geneva, and in each new location she joined a new choir. She returned to Victoria in 2021 to join the University of Victoria as a professor and joined VCS in 2022. She still can’t play the violin.

Andrew is a software entrepreneur by day and a composer and athlete by night. He spent his childhood complaining that he was being forced into piano lessons until one day realizing he actually enjoyed it. Since then, he has learned to play many different instruments in a variety of genres. He joined VCS in 2022 to learn more about the voice and the many ways in which it can be used. His current fascination is telling stories through his compositions, using techniques such as the kishotenketsu method. You can find his music on streaming platforms under “Andrew Russell Band” and “Lavish Dude” as well as many demos on his website: https://ajrussell.ca