Ellen Himmer’s musical life began in a suburb of Philadelphia, when her class had tickets to hear the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra.

Margriet and Fred have been in the Sooke Philharmonic choir since its inception more than 20 years ago.

The year was 2000. Dr. David Lintern and his wife Margaret were driving through Colwood. They saw a sign outside the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre advertising an upcoming concert by the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra. They laughed out loud. “Philharmonic!” said Margaret. “A tad bold!” said David.

A lifelong musician who grew up in a musical family, Bob says both his parents remained active in music for their entire lives. “I saw first-hand what a wonderful gift having music in your life can be.

In 2014, Nick was approached by Norman Nelson who asked if Nick would take over as director of the chorus of the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra. Nick welcomed the opportunity, knowing it would allow him to work closely with an orchestra in addition to leading a choral group.

This musical couple sustain Norman’s legacy with love and respect. They exude warmth and enthusiasm for their alliance with the orchestra, which happened following a series of serendipitous events.

A conversation with them reveals their deep-seated passion for making music and all that that entails.

Meet Maria Wang, Principal Cello with the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra and Lead Strings Teacher with Harmony Project Sooke.

Michael Klazek will be stepping back onto the podium in Ed Macgregor Park Sunday, August 29 th to conduct another delightful program of popular classics.

A conversation with Brent is rich in details and vibrant pictures. He recalls how his father’s LP of Jascha Heifetz playing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto helped shape his love of music.

“I prefer not to draw attention to myself,” says Jenny Nelson, Artistic Coordinator of the Sooke Philharmonic. But without her our orchestra would never have got off the ground. She has from the beginning organized every conceivable detail of the hectic journey that led to the flourishing of a unique community orchestra.