About US
"What draws us together every week is a passion for choral music and a commitment to excellence."
Linden Singers of Victoria is a vibrant, mixed-voice, multi-generational, and auditioned choir. With a 45 years' history, the choir is well-established in the Victoria choral scene and dedicated to the performance and enjoyment of choral music.
Community outreach through public service performances and seasonal carolling is an important part of the choir's activities. Every December the choir performs holiday repertoire in small groups at shopping malls, Sidney By the Sea, seniors' residences, and at the Fairmont Empress hotel.
The Linden Singers repertoire is diverse and includes sacred and secular works from all eras, reflecting the wide interests and ability of its singers. The choir is proud to have commissioned works by well-known Canadian composers, including David Archer, Georgina Craig, Christine Donkin, Jeff Enns, and Imant Raminsh. Historically, the choir has made international tours to Cuba, New Zealand, and throughout Canada, as well as participating in significant events such as Festival 500 and the International Choral Kathaumixw in Powell River.
Our Music Director, Edette Gagné, is an integral part of the Linden Singers’ community. With her energy, focus and commitment to musical excellence, the choir has reached new musical peaks and continues to make magic for audiences.
EDETTE GAGNÉ
Music Director
Edette Gagné is a visionary leader who inspires others to go beyond what they thought were limitations, in order to achieve amazing results.
In her work around the globe with professionals and amateurs, Edette creates communities where people feel valued, included and safe to take chances, so that they can grow, flourish and be their best.
Edette increases sponsorship and audience growth; historically by up to 300%, by connecting with and engaging community support for performing arts organizations. As a strategist, Edette works with boards and stake-holders to find flexible, resilient ways to re-invent their organizations when facing challenges; so that they are able to create responses that are flexible and adaptive to needs as they emerge.
As an artistic director, stage director and music director of orchestras, choirs, opera and musical theatre groups, Edette champions creative programming, including staging and performances that captivate artists and audiences alike. She is known for inspiring performers to rise above the ordinary.
Throughout her career creating international touring shows, facilitating grand scale events on location, and transforming performing ensembles to realize their potential, Edette brings a deep work ethic and a commitment to creative collaboration.
Edette resides in Vancouver BC with her wife and several wonderful rescued animals. She recharges her batteries with cooking, hiking, yoga, photography and reading.
Jane edler-davis
Accompanist
Jane Edler-Davis is delighted to be playing for the Linden Singers and being reunited with choir friends.
An accompanist for many, many years, Jane first started accompanying a choir of nine girls when she was 13 years old. Hours of playing duets also fueled the desire to make music with other people and not just be alone at a piano. During high school, she accompanied students at the Victoria Conservatory of Music and at UVic.
Jane studied piano and organ at UVic where she graduated with a BMus. She continued her organ studies at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria receiving a Teaching Diploma, while also participating in Early Music Seminars given by Nikolaus Harnoncourt. But her passion was always for accompanying. She spent the next 16 years as a coach and accompanist at the Bruckner Privatuniversitaet in Linz, Austria, where she accompanied the low instruments of the brass, woodwind and string sections as well as saxophone and percussion. She played for very few voice students and no choir. Since returning to Victoria in 1997, she has been an active freelance accompanist, working only with voice students and playing for choirs! She currently plays for CapriCCio Vocal Ensemble and the SMUS K-8 music programme. Jane teaches music theory at the Canadian College of Performing Arts and performs with Wendy Stofer in the piano duo KlaVIERhands.
In 2011, Jane was the recipient of the British Columbia Choral Federation’s Joyce O. Maguire Award for Outstanding Long Term Service as a Choral Accompanist.
When not making music, Jane spends happy hours with her family and in her garden, growing masses of flowers and vegetables.