City Soul Choir

About the choir

The City Soul Choir is Vancouver, Canada's 90+ voice community choir led by music director Brian Tate. The idea to launch the choir was officially hatched by a group of friends in January 2010, and a month later, the choir had 120 auditioned members. City Soul Choir is similar to the Island Soul Choir in Parksville BC, which Brian also directs. That choir, also more than 100 voices strong, began in 2007 after Brian, along with Ron Klusmeier and Christina Bogucki of Musiklus, came up with the crazy plan to start a choir that rehearsed only once per month.

The City Soul Choir's repertoire is drawn from the soulful music of many traditions: spirituals, gospel, pop, R&B, world, and more. This is joyful music that uplifts, inspires, transforms. The choir produces two concerts per year: one in late spring and another just before Christmas. See upcoming concert information on the home page.

About the music director

An award-winning composer, as well as an accomplished and versatile musician, choir director, and educator, Brian attributes the success of his multifaceted career to a love of working with people and a passion for the arts.

Brian received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of British Columbia, and went on to further music studies in London, England, and Toronto. His love for music of many kinds has led to a diverse career that includes orchestral and choral conducting and performing, musical theatre, and composing music for film, television, stage, and the concert hall. Brian has twice received Vancouver's Jessie Richardson Award for original theatre music, and his choral music is performed worldwide.

As a vocalist, Brian performs with a jazz quartet (BTQ), and with Dawn Pemberton and Karla Mundy in the vocal a cappella trio, TriVo.

Brian is known for his lively choir workshops, excellent conducting skills, ability to bring out the best in choirs, and for his exhilarating and inspiring choral compositions and arrangements. He is on the faculty of Studio 58, Langara College's professional theatre school. As a learning leader for the Next Institute, he uses music, theatre, and cartooning as tools for organizational training.