Harmony In The Making – The Arbutus Story

Founded in 1998, the Arbutus Singers bring energy, humour, and heart to popular music, Broadway favourites, jazz standards, and seasonal classics. From chart-topping hits to crowd-pleasing medleys, our rehearsals and performances are built around great music, strong friendships, and a shared love of singing.

For many of our members, Wednesday nights have become the highlight of the week — a chance to laugh, learn, connect, and make music together. If you’ve ever found yourself singing along in the car, in the kitchen, or a little too loudly at a concert, you might fit right in — especially if you can sing on pitch!

Interested in joining? Visit our “Contact Us” page — we’d love to hear from you.

Want to see our April 2026 concert? Check out our concert video page.

Join Arbutus Singers!

We extend a warm invitation to new and returning members of all backgrounds and experience levels. All that is required is a love for music and a willingness to be part of something truly special.
Sing with us on the best night of the week—Wednesday! Our choir is about having fun while tackling exciting and challenging music. We dive into contemporary, pop, jazz, show tunes, and well-loved classics. Whether you’re a seasoned singer or just love to harmonize, there’s a spot for you!
Press the link below to make connections with us!

Contact

Director – Jack Boomer

Jack has been married to Stephen Hammond for nearly two decades. A visionary in the realm of public health, Jack owned a consulting firm focused on tobacco control and public health engagement as well as having a degree in music education from the University of Alberta and Master’s of Public Administration from the UVic. He ran his business for many years before transitioning into a semi-retired life. Jack continues to engage in select consulting projects to fuel his curiosity.However, it’s his role as the director of the Arbutus Singers that truly highlights his creative spirit. Jack curates rehearsals and performances, selecting musical pieces and guides up to sixty choir members. While he values input from choir members, his artistic vision and direction are unmistakable. When Jack takes a break or is away, the talented Sylvia James steps in to take the reins and lead the choir, ensuring the music keeps flowing. It’s this blend of leadership, passion, and collaboration that makes Jack’s world one filled with both purpose and appreciation.

Pianist -Robyn McKinnon

An accomplished performer, Robyn McKinnon has extensive experience both as a soloist and as a collaborative pianist for singers and instrumentalists across Canada. Since the summer of 2000, she has been a featured performer at The Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, BC, where her wide-ranging repertoire—spanning Classical, Jazz, and Pop—provides the perfect backdrop for Afternoon Tea.

Robyn’s career as a pianist was nurtured from an early age. Raised in a musical household, she followed in the footsteps of her grandfather, George Houslander, a respected pedagogue and conductor in the Toronto/Hamilton area. She went on to study Classical piano at the University of Ottawa under Andrew Tunis, further refining her artistry.

Over the years, Robyn has performed for weddings, receptions, and private functions at venues across the country, including the Laurel Point Inn, the Union Club, Royal Victoria Golf Club, the Fairmont Banff Springs, the Mary Winspear Centre, and the Victoria Conservatory of Music.

In addition to her work as a soloist, Robyn is an active accompanist and clinician in the greater Victoria area. She has collaborated with numerous choirs and soloists, and has been the accompanist for The Arbutus Singers since 2002. She also teaches piano at her home studio on the West Shore, where she lives with her husband, Graham, and their two children, Andrew and Lauren.

Supporting Music Education Through Performance!

All proceeds from our musical activities, after covering concert expenses, are donated to charitable causes. In 2006, we established the Arbutus Singers Music Education Society to support ChoirKids in the Greater Victoria area, which remains our primary charitable focus. In the last several years, Victoria Conservatory of Music has guided the ChoirKids program, and for our major ticketed concerts, we now raise funds in support of the Conservatory.

In December 2025, the Arbutus Singers brought holiday magic to life with our concert filled with warmth, music, and extraordinary generosity. Thanks to the support of our audience and community, we raised an incredible $13,400 for ChoirKids. We were especially delighted to have Patty Ballam – herself a former Arbutus Singer – accept the cheque on behalf of ChoirKids, making the moment even more meaningful.

Donate to ChoirKids Program

Founded in 2005 by the Arbutus Singers, the ChoirKids Program brings the joy of singing to children in Victoria schools where music opportunities may otherwise be limited. Today, the program is proudly managed by the Victoria Conservatory of Music, while the Arbutus Singers continue to support it through concert fundraising and personal contributions.

Over the years, the Arbutus Singers have helped raise more than $500,000 for charitable causes, with significant support directed toward ChoirKids and youth music education. In the 2025/26 season alone, more than $30,000 was raised for organizations including ChoirKids and Hadri Santi.

We believe music changes lives — and sometimes all it takes is one song, one teacher, or one choir to spark something lasting.

Click the link below to support this meaningful program and help us continue making a difference through music.

Please Donate to Choirkids here!