The Cowichan Consort board of directors announced recently that Ryan Qu is the new choir rehearsal director for their upcoming season.
Qu has been the choir accompanist and will now direct the choir and prepare them for their two concerts in December and May, during the Consort’s 33rd Season.
Madeleine Lieffertz will be at the keyboard for the choir’s rehearsals. Pippa Williams is the Consort’s musical director and conductor.
Qu is a recent University of Victoria graduate with degrees in music and education. An active multi-instrumentalist, he began his piano studies at age three and trained at Shenyang Conservatory from age 11. He expanded his expertise to include flute, piccolo, and trombone at university. A current executive member of the Royal Canadian College of Organists (Victoria Centre), Qu was awarded the Colleague Diploma by the College in 2023 as the only recipient in B.C. He currently serves as the director of music at Centennial United Church, teaches music at St. Joseph’s School, and is a sought after community choir accompanist and conductor.
"Ryan projects much enthusiasm and we look forward to his choral expertise," said a press release from the Consort.
Choir rehearsals start Sept. 11, and take place each Wednesday night from 7-9 p.m. at Sylvan United Church. Everyone is welcome as they prep for Handel’s 'Messiah'.
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Cowichan author Lynn Starter will be at Volume One bookstore in Duncan on Sept. 21 with her recently published new coffee table book Follow the Road to Maple Bay.
"I was born in Duncan and have lived my whole life in this community," said Starter, who started on her latest book in 2010.
Fourteen years and more than 100 interviews have gone into the book, which details the history of Maple Bay.
But it's more than that, too, she said.
"Timeline is from about 1860 to present day and covers some history of the Island, two World Wars, and the stories of many pioneers," said Starter. "Chapter two is titled ‘The First Inhabitants’, covering the history of the Indigenous people of Maple Bay and surrounding area. The official boundaries of Maple Bay stretch from the entrance to Osborne Bay Road (along Herd Road which was called 'Someone' in the old days) all the way to Genoa Bay, so the book just kept growing!"
The book has already sold 150 copies, Starter said, and retails for $110. It's a hardcover with more than 1,000 pages in full colour.
The book signing runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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Sunday Jazz is back at the Osborne Bay Pub on Sept. 15 with the Saltspring Ladies of Jazz.
Longtime favourite Sue Newman returns to the stage with a new band; The Smooth Talk Band," said a press release for the event. "With five talented musicians and multiple vocalists, this promises to be a fun afternoon of jazz standards to kick off our new season."
Reserve a table at 250-324-2245. The music starts at 2 p.m. Entry is $20 at the door.
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The Cowichan Valley Naturalists are presenting a talk with Ann Nightingale, one of the best known birders on Vancouver Island to kick off their fall season.
The event is on Sept. 17, starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Fish Health Building, 1080 Wharncliffe Rd., Duncan.
Her presentation is titled 'Fall and Winter Birds of Southern Vancouver Island'.
Entry is free. A Zoom link will be available by emailing cvns@naturecowichan.net
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The Cowichan Historical Society is hosting a presentation by railway historian and enthusiast Tom Parkin on Sept. 26 at 7 p.m.
Parkin will give a PowerPoint presentation about Mount Sicker and the mining done there.
The event is at Duncan United Church.
