The rector and trustees of St. John’s, Shaughnessy are thrilled to announce that Professor Graeme Langager of the UBC School of Music will join the leadership of the parish as Choral Director, beginning December 4, with his first service on December 17.
Graeme Langager is Director of Choral Activities at the University of British Columbia School of Music. Graeme is a passionate, dynamic, and thoughtful conductor and teacher; he has worked around the globe, serving as a guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician in Europe and Asia, and across North America. Graeme is from Lethbridge, Alberta and was born into a musical family. He began singing and playing instruments from an early age. He grew up immersed in church music, and often performed in church with his family. He completed graduate studies in choral conducting in the United States and taught in universities there before returning to Canada in 2009. He served as music director at several churches during that time. Graeme is thrilled to be joining the SJS community and is excited to serve the choir and the congregation.
Rector of the Parish of St. John, Shaughnessy, the Rev. Terry Dirbas said,
“This is an exciting development in our mission to make excellent choral music in the Anglican tradition central to our worship. Even in an increasingly secular society, humans long to see and feel the presence of the divine. We believe that excellence in music can help us experience a narrowing of the gap between the imminent and the transcendent, bringing us closer to God. Such experiences of the beauty of holiness in our worship life not only refresh us as worshippers, but also inspire us to carry out God’s mission in our daily lives. Alongside our Principal Organist and Artist-in-Residence, Michael Dirk, Professor Langager’s appointment will enable us to grow both our repertoire and quality of musicianship, initially through our Sunday morning Eucharist, monthly evensong, and other sung services on feast days. We feel privileged to be able to offer this addition to the sacred music life of Vancouver.”
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