Oceanside
Concert Choir
Find Your Voice
Concert Choir
Oceanside Concert Choir is a community choir open to people of all ages. Auditions are not required, and you don’t need to be able to read music. All you need is a love for music, a willingness to listen, and a desire to learn. The Oceanside Concert Choir performs twice a year at the Knox United Church in Parksville, BC. They are well-known for their sold-out performances of Handel’s ‘Messiah’ performed every few years at Christmas time, and their spring concerts that take place just before Easter.
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Oceanside Concert Choir Musical Director
Ann Barber-Becqué, MEd
Ann Barber-Becqué, from White Rock, BC, grew up in a musical family, studying piano, violin, guitar, and voice. She participated in Church Choir and White Rock Players theatre productions. Ann graduated from Semiahmoo Secondary School, earning a full general scholarship to the University of British Columbia at 16. She specialized in Zoology at UBC but left before obtaining her degree. She married, had three children, and completed her Teacher’s Associateship in Piano from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, becoming a BC Registered Music Teacher in 1984. Ann taught piano and theory in Nanaimo while raising her children.
In 1988, Ann returned to university at The University of Victoria (UVic), specializing in Music Education, and earned a Bachelor of Music degree with Honours in 1992. She performed on double bass in the UVic Orchestra and Wind Symphony, and sang in the UVic Chorus and Chamber Singers, touring Eastern Europe as a soloist.
Ann taught in various schools before securing a full-time position at Nanaimo’s John Barsby Secondary School, where she taught band, choir, guitar, general music, science, and senior biology. She earned a Master of Music Education degree focusing on Instrumental and Choral Conducting from UVic in 2001 and continued teaching until 2016.
In 2023, Ann directed the Nanaimo Chamber Orchestra and members of the Faire Wynds Quintet for the “Winds of March” concerts. Ann’s inspiring musicianship and leadership have greatly enriched Oceanside’s music community.
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Oceanside Concert Choir Pianist
Margaret Nelson, Pianist
Margaret grew up in the UK, where she begged her parents for a piano, finally acquired when she was seven. She took to piano playing with ease, studying under two memorable piano teachers throughout her school years. In 1969, her family relocated to Canada, where she attended the University of Toronto and completed her Bachelor of Music degree.
In 1974, Margaret began her career on Prince Edward Island as a Music Specialist, teaching grades 1-7 until the school’s music program was cut. She and her husband then moved to Calgary, Alberta, where they raised three children. Her career flourished as she taught private piano lessons, played for the local ballet school, and took on various church positions as Pianist, Organist, and Choir Director. She led Calgary’s Catholic St. Cecilia Choir for a decade, organizing an annual Christmas event that brought together choirs from local churches to perform a spectacular joint concert.
Eventually, Margaret and her husband moved to the Oceanside area. In 2009, she joined the Oceanside Concert Choir as Pianist, becoming an integral member of the group. She also plays for other musical groups and individuals, including the Qualicum Seniors Songbirds and Nanoose’s St. Mary’s Anglican Church. Margaret teaches private piano and beginner’s voice lessons, accompanies singers and instrumentalists at festivals and exams, and has played for ballet exams.
Margaret is well-known for her incredible piano skills, creativity, and ability to improvise. Passionate about music, she continues to bring joy to the Oceanside music community.
Supporting local music to foster vibrant community harmony.
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