Who We Are
Lady Cove Women’s Choir
Under the honorary patronage of Karen Kain, C.C., LL.D., D.Litt., O.Ont.
Lady Cove Women’s Choir has become one of Canada’s leading women’s choral ensembles in a remarkably short period of time. The Choir, based in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, was established in September 2003 by choral conductor, Kellie Walsh.
It is comprised of amateur and professional musicians who are committed to performing, at the highest professional standards, music created specifically for women’s voices. The choir’s mission is to reveal to audiences the strength, versatility and beauty of women’s choral music; to expand the repertoire for women’s voices by commissioning and reviving works; to assist local women’s and children’s special interest groups through charitable activities; and to provide talented and dedicated women musicians with exceptional musical and interpersonal experiences.
Since its inception, Lady Cove Women’s Choir has demonstrated impressive versatility through performances of choral music ranging in styles from classical, gospel and jazz to Latin American and contemporary Canadian and is recognized not only for its high levels of performance, but also for its innovation and creativity.
It routinely performs to highly enthusiastic, sold-out audiences and has garnered a national reputation for excellence in performance. It has been heard on many regional and national radio broadcasts.
Lady Cove Women’s Choir is well-known as a collaborator within the arts community. It has invited and performed with local and visiting artists and ensembles including: the Hannaford Street Youth Band of Toronto, celebrated Toronto harpist, Lori Gemmel, Canada’s beloved jazz singer, Heather Bambrick, the Cellipeppers cello ensemble of St. John’s, Jazz East of St. John’s, Newman Sound Men’s Choir of St. John’s and Memorial University of Newfoundland’s Concert Band and Brass Ensemble.
As well, it has commissioned new choral works by noted provincial and national composers: Michael Snelgrove, Jim Duff, John Wyre, Jason Noble, Stephen Hatfield and most recently by Canada’s Imant Ramnish, the text of which is based on a Newfoundland poem and which was premiered in July 2009 at Festival 500.
This year, with the assistance of the Canada Council, Lady Cove will present a concert for percussion and women’s voices with world renowned percussionist Beverley Johnston, along with St. John’s natives Rob Power and Bill Brennan. This will also feature a new commission by James Rolfe through the support of the Canada Council.
Believing in giving back to the community and in fostering music education among the youth of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Choir has established the Lady Cove Women’s Choir Bursary, valued at $1000 and awarded annually to assist aspiring young musicians. Two bursaries have been awarded to date.
