Anticipating its 31st season, i Coristi is one of Edmonton’s premiere chamber choirs. Membership is by audition and encompasses a broad cross-section of the population: accountants, teachers, computer programmers, nanotechnologists, designers, theologians, administrators, office personnel - singers for whom music is their vocation, and singers for whom music is their avocation!

The name i Coristi is Italian, meaning “The Choral Singers”. Noted for its unique, eclectic programming, the choir focuses on a cappella masterpieces from the Renaissance to the 21st century, presented in three main concerts each season; the choir also performs at seniors’ facilities and various local businesses and gatherings. i Coristi has been heard on national and regional broadcasts of CBC Radio.

Twice 2nd-Prize winners (2006 and 2008) in the Mixed-Voice Adult Chamber Choir category of the National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs, i Coristi was awarded 1st Prize in July 2013.

i Coristi has performed with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, toured to Ontario and Manitoba, and been invited to perform in Toronto, Winnipeg and Edmonton at the national biennial conferences—Podium—of Choral Canada/Canada Choral. 

During the summer of 2009, i Coristi completed a highly successful tour to England and Wales, which included a performance at the prestigious International Eisteddfod Festival in Llangollen, Wales. In July of 2011, i Coristi performed at Festival 500 in St. John’s Newfoundland.

The choir has recorded four CDs, including Paths, released in 2016.

Founded by Dr. Debra Cairns, the choir is currently led by Music Director Dr. Rob Curtis.

i Coristi’s Mission is to:

Enrich the cultural life of Edmonton and beyond through exceptional choral experiences.

i Coristi’s Vision is to:

Bring joy and inspiration to a growing and diverse community, brought together by a shared appreciation for the richness of choral singing.

i Coristi’s Values and Principles:

Community

  • Nurturing and honouring the physical, social, mental, spiritual, and emotional wellbeing of volunteers, singers, staff, and audience.

  • Taking steps toward right relationship with marginalized groups in our community and with the land, and examining how this impacts our activities as an organization.

Excellence

  • Pursuing performance standards that approach professional calibre.

  • Creating audience experiences that provoke thought and emotion.

Equity

  • Decreasing barriers to access for audience members to enjoy choral experiences.

  • Commissioning and programming works of composers from under-represented groups.

  • Exploring elements of right relationship with the Canadian indigenous community.

Nurturing the Canadian choral field

  • Creating and supporting opportunities for the next generation of choral performers.

  • Commissioning and programming works by Canadian composers.

About singing with i Coristi

The choir’s rehearsal and performance season runs September through May.
The choir rehearses weekly on Tuesdays 7:00-9:30 PM at Holy Trinity Anglican Church (10037 84 St NW, Edmonton)
There are typically three self-produced performances in a season: a mid-November to early-December performance, a late-February to early-March performance, and a late May performance; the performance schedule may deviate to accommodate special opportunities or projects, e.g. guest performances, tour, recording.

If you are interested in singing with i Coristi Chamber Choir, please see our auditions page for more information.

History of i Coristi

Narrative History of i Coristi's 1st decade - Seasons ONE through TEN

i Coristi Chamber Choir is grateful to Peter Malcolm for composing a narrative history of i Coristi's first Ten Seasons.

Peter Malcolm was a Founding Member of i Coristi, and sang in the bass section from September 1994 through June 2002.  Since then, he has sung with the choir on numerous occasions - when a gifted bass was required.

On February 21, 2014, Peter was recognized for his important contributions to i Coristi Chamber Choir, wiith an Honorary Membership.

 

Narrative History of i Coristi's 2nd decade - Seasons ELEVEN through TWENTY

i Coristi Chamber Choir is honoured that the choir's founding Music Director, Dr. Debra Cairns has written a narrative about i Coristi's second decade.

On May 24, 2014, Debra was recognized for her visionary contributions to i Coristi Chamber Choir, with an Honorary Membership.