Kick off the season by dropping in for this day-long celebration of the patron saint of music. We’ll have performances from an array of talented Victoria musicians, lots of delicious baking at the bake sale, and much more! Hosted by former CTV national correspondent Janet Dirks.
Please keep checking this website for program information.
Artists this year include...
- Members of the Cathedral Choir
- Christ Church Cathedral Guild of Change Ringers
- Cookeilidh
- Emily Whitelaw, singer-songwriter
- Georgiy Matviyiv, Bandura
- Odd Hack Band
- Rob Fillo, singer-songwriter
- Members of UVic Vocal Jazz
- Victoria Accordion Club Band
- Victoria Organ Studio
The day concludes with Choral Evensong sung by the Choirs of Christ Church Cathedral (including many alumni!). A schedule for the whole day of performances will be posted soon.
Performance Schedule
9.00am Christ Church Cathedral Guild of Bellringers
Climb the Cathedral's North Tower to meet the Cathedral Bellringers, or listen to the bells from downstairs or outside!
9.30am Music for Brass Quintet
Featuring brass students from the UVic School of Music.
10.00am Students of the Victoria Organ Studio
The talented organ students of the Victoria Organ Studio pay tribute former teacher Professor David Palmer (1944-2024) in this recital featuring the Hellmuth Wolff organ.
10.30am Students from UVic Vocal Jazz
Students from UVic's Vocal Jazz ensemble sing an eclectic variety of standards and other hits!
11.00am Georgiy Matviyiv, bandura
Internationally recognized musician and composer Georgiy Matviyiv is a specialist in bandura, a Ukrainian folk instrument. His program includes his original works in the style of impressionism, ethno, blues, jazz, and neoclassicism.
11.30am Emily Whitelaw, singer-songwriter
Singer Emily Whitelaw, a queer trans woman based in Victoria, uses her music to give voice to those experiences and emotions that often go unshared and unheard by people like her. However, in dealing with themes of love, pain and self discovery, she also hopes that anyone who chooses to listen can find something in her music that speaks to them.
12.00pm The Odd Hack Band
For over twenty-five years the Odd Hack Band has served up jigs, reels, polkas and waltzes for barn dances and other joyous events around the Pacific Northwest.
1.00pm Victoria Accordion Club Band
The Victoria Accordion Club Band returns to St Cecilia's Day for a set of toe tapping tunes!
1.30pm Cookeilidh
Cookeilidh has been delighting audiences for many years with their high energy traditional, and modernized Celtic tunes. Comprised of 12 string guitar, fiddle, Irish flute, electric bass, bodhran and vocals, they define their music as Celtic Craic, Trad with Attitude, and Pot O’ Gold Folk.
2.00pm The Cathedral Choir Talent Show!
Choir members from the Cathedral Choir show off some of their other talents with solo numbers and some musical surprises!
2.30pm Pianists Madison Brecht and Kay Kuang
These two talented pianists are both students of May Ling Kwok. They will perform music by Mendelssohn and Beethoven.
3.00pm Siren Seekers: Songs from the High Seas
The Siren Seekers return to St Cecilia's Day for a set of sea shanties and folk songs from near and far!
3.30pm Rob Fillo, singer-songwriter
Passionate and inspiring vocals, next level musicianship, and lyrics that will break your heart and put it back together better than it ever was before. Whether you're in the mood for introspective ballads, happy tunes or rock anthems, Rob has something for everyone. Let Rob Fillo take you on a life-affirming journey you'll never forget.
4.00pm Breaktime and Choir Rehearsal
This afternoon, we’ve invited back many cathedral choir alumni to join our Young Choristers and Cathedral Choir members to sing the closing Evensong service, so we’ll need a little time to set up and rehearse together. We hope you’ll stay for what promises to be a momentous Choral Evensong service at 5.00 p.m. but while you’re waiting, grab a drink at the bar at the back of the cathedral or listen in on the choir rehearsal directed by Director of Music Donald Hunt. Then, see you at 5.00 p.m.!
5.00pm Choral Evensong with the Cathedral Choir, Youth Choir, Young Choristers and Choir Alumni
Music by Bainton, Neary, Stanford, and more!
Schedule is up-to-date but may be subject to change.