About Wavelengths Community Choir
Our History
Wavelengths Community Choir is a dynamic community based on the Saanich Peninsula. We are dedicated to bringing people together to sing in harmony with the transformative power of music. With a diverse membership that welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds, we focus on fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone can feel “at home” in our singing community.
Wavelengths was formed by Denis in 2018, after he had co-directed the large, non-auditioned Gettin’ Higher Choir with Siobhan Robinsong since 1998. As the Getting’ Higher Choir grew over the years it expanded to include three rehearsal evenings each week, on Mondays at the Unitarian Church, and Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Church of Truth in James Bay in Victoria. The Monday session formed the core of the Wavelengths membership.
The Gettin’ Higher Choir continues to thrive under the dynamic leadership of Cathy Baker and Dick Jackson, and the two choirs continue to work closely together as “sister-choirs”.
Our Repertoire
The Wavelengths repertoire is diverse, 4-part SATB, and mostly unaccompanied. It includes traditional folk music, songs by contemporary singer-songwriters, “World” music, rock and pop songs, spiritual songs, and much more. Most of the choral arrangements are created by Denis. As examples, we have performed songs by James Taylor, the Beatles, Pete Seeger, Joni Mitchell, Enya, Bob Marley, Bruce Cockburn, director Denis, and even J.S.Bach, as well as sea shanties, Gospel songs, and African Freedom songs.
Our Concerts
Wavelengths rehearsals lead to two concert events each year, one in December or January, and the other in May or June. We always have a musical guest at our concerts, and in past years Denis has worked with such well-known artists as Raffi, Ann Mortifee, Shari Ulrich, and Coco Love Alcorn, as well as more local artists such as Rick Scott, Valdy, Mark Hellman and Oliver Swain.
All concert proceeds go to charities that we support, the Caia Connection, which supports endeavours in Mozambique, which we have been supporting as the Gettin’ Higher Choir since 1998; and HAT, or Habitat Acquisition Trust, an environmental organization that protects and stewards lands around the Capital Regional District.
Denis Donnelly, Director
Denis became deeply involved in the folk music scene during the 1960s, where he discovered his passion for singing in harmony. However, it was his participation in his high school choir, under the direction of Jim Johnson (a BC Choral Federation Herbert Drost award recipient in 2003) that was a pivotal experience in his life. He went on to graduate from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Music degree. Following graduation Denis went on to work at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, becoming its Director in 1985. After overseeing the Conservatory’s purchase, renovation, and move to its current home in the former Metropolitan United Church in 1999, he left to pursue his own musical interests, including playing with his musical partner Lanny Pollet.
From 1999 through to 2018, Denis was the arranger, as well as co-director with Siobhan Robinsong, of the 250+ voice Gettin’ Higher Choir, a non-auditioned community choir.
Very active as an arranger, Denis’s arrangements and compositions are a staple of the Wavelengths repertoire, and are in frequent use throughout North America, especially within the Ubuntu Choirs Network.
Community Choir Leadership Training
In 2004, Denis and Siobhan developed the annual and highly influential and successful Community Choir Leadership Training program, which has led to the creation of the Ubuntu Choirs Network (50+ choirs and growing). This has become a network of non-auditioned, community-based, and socially responsible choirs and singing groups all over North America, all based on the principles of inclusivity and joyful community singing.
Ubuntu Choirs Network members at a Reunion in Victoria in 2015