Consort A Capella
Singers
Feel the song
Consort A Capella Singers
Various incarnations of a cappella singers have been member groups of Oceanside Music for about 40 years. The Oceanside Consort A Capella Singers (Consort) perform four to eight-part harmonies with occasional instrumental accompaniment. Members join based on their ability to sight-read, or pick up melodies and harmonies, as well as their ability to sing a reliable pitch and learn music.
Genres and styles of music are diverse with a repertoire that includes classical works from the likes of Bach, Holst and Vaughn-Williams, traditional madrigals and songs in several languages, new compositions from modern composers and arrangers, folk songs from various countries, Canadiana, pop music, show tunes and vocal jazz. The Consort performs concerts in the spring and fall at the Knox United Church in Parksville and smaller venues throughout the Oceanside community.
Join the Oceanside A Capella Consort singers
Oceanside Concert Choir Musical Director
Ann Barber-Becqué, M.Ed
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.
Supporting local music to foster vibrant community harmony.
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