For the eleventh year in a row, St Mary's is pleased to host a series of four noon-hour concerts during the Advent Season. The performers are either professional musicians or enormously gifted young musicians, all donating their time to support a charitable cause. The 2016 Advent Concert Series is in support of the Victoria Hospice Bereavement Fund.
The Advent Concert series in 2016 takes a different shape than in previous years, in that four centuries of music in four historic styles will be presented by four professional organists on the fine Casavant organ in St Mary's church.
November 23: Warren Steck, Baroque
Frequently substituting for colleagues in the area, Dr. Warren Steck adds organ to his long list of accomplishments. A retired engineer and biologist, Warren joined the parish of St Mary largely due to the presence of our fine organ, and the opportunity to maintain his lifelong musical practice.
November 30: Jim Hill, Classical
Jim is the Director of Music at St. Matthias Anglican Church and is also Director of Music at the Canadian College of Performing Arts.
December 7: Frances Pollett, Romantic
Frances is the recently retired organist & choir director at the First Metropolitan United Church where she directed for some twenty-five or more years. She has also persuaded her husband Lanny, retired Professor of Flute at the University of Victoria, to join her in this concert.
December 14: Curt Bergen, Contemporary
Curt is the Music Director at St. May the Virgin, Oak Bay, and has been active as an organist, choral director and accompanist in Victoria for over thirty years.