MISSION STATEMENT We are a chorus of men and women who are passionate about singing music that touches and inspires us and our audiences – a community that cares, contributes and connects.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS Each season, Aurora Chorealis chooses a local charity as beneficiary for its spring concert. Over the years it has supported Les Amis de la Santé Mentale, Light a Dream and the Center for the Arts in Human Development, the West Island Palliative Care Center, the West Island Women’s Shelter, the West Island Cancer Wellness Center, and the Montreal Ukraine Wellness Program. The beneficiary for our 2024 concert is On Rock Community Services.
Aurora Chorealis Board of Directors –
Larry Cassini
Jack Cooper
Anna Graham
Kim Jesse
Alan Kenley
John Le Blanc
Monique Poirier
Maxine Ratner
Mari-Rose Thompson
History of Aurora Chorealis
Back in the 70’s and early 80’s Camp Kinkora in Quebec’s Laurentian mountains was host to hundreds of youth who gathered for a one-week experience every summer. Their passion? Creating music! In less than seven days, these young people, inspired by mentors and “den parents,” wrote and produced an album of original songs to share with their communities back home.
Although Diocesan Folk Music Camp would come to an end in 1982, relationships among these young people endured into adulthood. Thirty years later, when one person said, “We should have a reunion,” it didn’t take long for the idea to turn to action. Singers and musicians, now all across the country, agreed to create a reunion choir to bring back some of the music originally created back at Camp Kinkora.
In June 2013, after months of weekly rehearsals, the DFMC reunion choir, under the direction of John Pasquini and featuring John McMaster, Stephanie Martin, and Julie Lafontaine, hosted what was to be the one and only performance, to an almost sold out audience of friends, family, and Camp Kinkora alumni. The evening was an experience of musical celebration and community connection. Proceeds from the event were generously donated to the Friends of Kinkora to provide sponsorship and subsidy for families and children to benefit from a week-long summer camp experience at Camp Kinkora.
With unforgettable memories and renewed enthusiasm for choral singing, members of the reunion choir were convinced: “This choir must continue.”
And continue it has!
The 2013-2014 season gave birth to the aptly named Aurora Chorealis, a fun-loving group of men and women dedicated to community connection through music and song. Though the majority of choristers were returning members of the DFMC reunion choir, Aurora Chorealis also welcomed new members who were thrilled to join this dynamic group. Initially Aurora Chorealis found a home in Loyola High School, where weekly rehearsals were led by John Pasquini, with the assistance of John Le Blanc, Anna Graham, and Roxanne Martell. The Eric MacLean Center for the Performing Arts was the perfect venue for our end-of-year concert. Sharing an eclectic melange of songs, with a full band and audiovisual accompaniment, Aurora Chorealis solidified its reputation as an inspirational community choir. What was the audience saying? “How can I join? I want to be part of that!”, “I think EVERYONE should come to this show next year”, and “It was very powerful. It really moved me, not only emotionally, but spiritually as well.“
With continued enthusiasm the following season introduced John Le Blanc as our new director, assisted by Anna Graham. St. Monica’s Church in NDG became a temporary rehearsal space until we found a more permanent home at St. John Fisher in Pointe Claire. While maintaining a mission to inspire self and others, Aurora Chorealis carefully chooses its repertoire and performances, based on upholding values of care and connection. Aurora Chorealis has been invited to celebrate its music at weddings, funerals, Christmas concerts, caroling in hospitals and residences, and every season culminates with a full concert in June. Through the years, the choir has been committed to contributing to the larger Montreal, using its year-end performance as a charitable event and donating proceeds to local non-profit organizations whose mission is enhancing the quality of life of those in need.