The Chorus

With members from Sooke, the West Shore and Victoria, the Sooke Phil Chorus is a community choir that sings choral orchestral music in collaboration with the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra. Singing in a community choir like the Sooke Phil is a great way to meet new people, challenge yourself musically, improve your vocal technique, and perform a wide range of classical choral repertoire.

SING WITH THE SOOKE PHILHARMONIC CHORUS!

Membership is open to anyone aged 16 and over. There is no audition, but previous choral experience is recommended. The annual membership fee, payable at the first rehearsal is $125. We rehearse on Saturday mornings at alternating venues in Sooke and Colwood.

If you are interested in learning more about us or would like to sing with us for the 2026-2027 season, please contact us at sookephilharmonic@gmail.com. Join us and become part of the Sooke Philharmonic community! 

Nancy Washeim, Choral Director

Soprano Nancy Washeim’s national and international career has featured solo performances with a wide range of musical organizations, including the McGill Baroque Orchestra, McGill Symphony Orchestra, London (England) Bach Festival and the Regina Symphony Orchestra. Broadcast appearances have included Bach’s Cantata BWV51: Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, aired by Radio Canada.

Nancy has enjoyed numerous performances with the Victoria Chamber Orchestra, Victoria Philharmonic Choir, Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra, Vancouver Island Symphony, Vancouver Handel Society, Okanagan Festival Singers, Victoria Choral Society, and the Victoria Baroque Players.  

Most recently, Nancy’s passion for the voice led her to continued studies where she received her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology.  She is the Clinical Director of the Victoria Voice & Swallow Clinic.

Nancy has enjoyed a very special relationship with the Sooke Philharmonic over the years and is grateful to have performed on many occasions with founder Norman Nelson, the many talented members of the orchestra and choir.  She is pleased to be joining the Sooke Phil in the role of choral répétiteur for their upcoming performance of Handel’s Messiah in December 2026.

Gabriel Ferreras, Conductor

Gabriel Ferreras is an Argentinian conductor and educator currently based on Vancouver Island. He is pleased to join the Sooke Philharmonic Chorus as guest conductor, bringing a collaborative spirit and a deep appreciation for music-making.

Gabriel completed his undergraduate studies at Bennington College in Vermont, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Orchestral and Choral Conducting as well as Piano Performance. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting at the University of Victoria. In addition to his work with the Sooke Philharmonic Chorus, Gabriel serves as music director at Pearson College and leads two community vocal ensembles: the Metchosin Free Range Singers and the Mixtape Singers Society, of which he is the founding artistic director.

His musical work spans both choral and orchestral repertoire, as well as collaborative and cross-genre projects. Having worked with ensembles across North and South America and Europe, Gabriel values music as a shared and evolving experience that connects people across cultures and backgrounds.

He is grateful for the opportunity to work with the Sooke Philharmonic Chorus and looks forward to contributing to its vibrant musical community.

Allie Picketts, Rehearsal Pianist

Allie Picketts is a musician and poet with many years of teaching, writing, editing, and performing experience. She was born and raised on the stolen lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), scəw̓aθən (Tsawwassen), and other Coast Salish Peoples, and is thankful to have lived within the traditional territory of the T'Sou-ke Nation since 2010, with the exception of three years in the Cayman Islands. Allie received her ARCT from the Royal Conservatory of Music and her Bachelor of Music from the University of Victoria, both in piano performance, and is a registered music teacher with the BCRMTA. She can normally be found with an instrument, in the forest, or both.