
Da Camera Singers
Since its inception in 1961, Da Camera Singers has upheld a strong presence in the Alberta choral community and proudly holds the distinction of being Edmonton’s longest-standing chamber choir. The choir’s musical programming encompasses Western choral concert music from the Renaissance to the 21st century, including oratorios, choral works with orchestras and instrumental ensembles, works with piano, and a cappella works; presenting concerts that feature a range of music from beloved masterworks of the choral canon to newly premiered works by Canadian and Edmonton-based composers, and supporting the creation of new art through commissioning.
In addition to their own annual three-concert season, Da Camera Singers collaborates regularly with professional and amateur groups in the Edmonton community, including the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Alberta Baroque Ensemble, Pro Coro Canada, i Coristi Chamber Choir and A Joyful Noise; and the choir has performed under the direction of such esteemed conductors as Bernard Labadie, Ivars Taurins, and William Eddis. In March 2012, Da Camera Singers, as well as many alumni singers from the choir, celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a presentation of Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana”.
Da Camera Singers has been broadcast nationally on CBC, and has toured throughout Canada, the United States, and parts of Europe. In the summer of 2015, they completed two week tour through parts of Austria, Hungary and Slovakia, which included a concert in St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna. Among their recordings is the only commercially available recording of Eulogies (2009) by renowned Canadian composer and former ESO composer in residence, John Estacio. In 2013, Da Camera released a collection of 20th and 21st century Christmas Carol arrangements entitled Kings and Shepherds featuring the music of Jonathan Dove, Ola Gjeilo and Jake Runestad.
After fourteen years of inspiring leadership under the direction of Dr. John Brough, Da Camera Singers now welcomes to the podium Laura Hawley, who was appointed the Artistic Director in summer 2019.
Choir
Da Camera Singers is a non-professional choir which provides accomplished singers an opportunity to express the joy, beauty and bond of choral singing in a chamber choir. The choir rehearses every Monday evening and holds a series of weekend retreats to help develop the repertoire, the sound of the choir and the community that is Da Camera. All accomplished singers from the Edmonton area are welcome to apply to join the choir; annual membership is determined by audition. For more information on joining Da Camera Singers please contact Da Camera Singers on our contact page.