Our History
Our Mission
The Handel Society of Music is a non-profit organization that produces fine choral-orchestral performances for the enjoyment and benefit of audiences in the Lower Mainland. The Society also supports and stimulates musical activity in the area and promotes the artistic development of young musicians.
Our Mandate
The Society’s mandate is to perform choral orchestra music “from Bach to Britten”, including classical favourites, such as Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, and Puccini’s Messa di Gloria. The Society also performs oratorios, masses, and requiems by other great classical composers such as Mozart, Haydn and Schubert.
Our History
The Handel Society of Music was founded in 1966 by Karel ten Hoope, in preparation for Canada’s Centennial year, and was directed by Maestro ten Hoope for 29 years until his retirement in 1995. He was succeeded by Maestro Louwersheimer, who directed from 1996 to 2019. Our current director is Paula DeWit.
The Handel Society takes pride in nurturing the musical arts in the Fraser Valley. Local high school and college students are encouraged to sing with the choir, and performances often have included student orchestras and young musicians. Other performances have been joint productions with the Abbotsford Symphony Orchestra, many members of which also are involved with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the CBC Symphony Orchestra, or the Vancouver Opera Orchestra.
The choir supports local musicians, both professional and amateur, to perform in their home community. Many very talented musicians have sung with the Handel Society Choir and continued on with successful careers. Some perform with the Vancouver Opera, the Pacific Opera, or other opera companies in Canada and the U.S. Others have performed in popular musicals. Some have gone abroad to continue their studies and sing. Still others are respected music educators.
Soloists
Here is a list of talented soloists who have performed with The Handel Society in recent years:
Soprano Soloists:
Debra DaVaughn, Julie Duerichen, Kresha Faber, Michelle Koebke, Melanie Krueger, Alexandra Liebich-Tait,
Alison Nystrom, Lambroula Pappas, Raphael Wagner, Nancy Washeim
Alto Soloists:
Vanesa Acuto, Caroline Harder, Wendy Hatala-Foley, Megan Latham, Ingrid Mapson,
Colleen Renihan, Lauren Solomon, Sonya Sweeney
Tenor Soloists:
John Arsenault, John Bacon, Colin Balzer, Mark DeSilva, William George, Phillip Grant, Thomas Lamont,
Paul Ouellette, Christopher Simmons, Angus Stuart, Lucas van Lierop, Marcel Van Neer
Bass Soloists:
Angus Bell, Richard DeVillier, Tyler Duncan, Robert Gelderman, Andrew Greenwood, Alan Imbach, Chad Louwerse, Jeremy Ludwig, Willy Miles-Grenzberg, Dale Throness, Richard Williams