KSO Chorus

The KSO Chorus provides local singers with the opportunity to perform masterworks for choir and orchestra in concert with the the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra. Repertoire highlights over the years include a concert of opera choruses, Beethoven's 9th (Ode to Joy), Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass, Mozart's Requiem, Holst's King Estmere, Steven Chatman's Proud Music of the Storm, Fauré's Requiem, Britten's Ceremony of Carols, and Orff's Carmina Burana. The KSO Chorus has also joined the symphony for a wide variety of Pops performances, including numerous Christmas concerts.

Chorus Master

The chorus is led by Tomas Bijok. Tomas Bijok’s journey in music began at an early age. Having come from a musical family it was understood that music was to be a part of his life. Tomas began his formal vocal training under the instruction of Dr Wendoline Pazitka Munroe at Canadian University College. At the age of 22 Bijok began to study under the guidance of Lynn Vernon. He then studied for two Years at the University of British Columbia with Roelof Oostwoud after which he auditioned for the Prague Academy of Performing Arts. In Prague he completed his B.A and M.A. in Vocal Performance under the tutelage of Ivan Kusnjer and the guidance of Magdaléna Hajóssyová. Bijok made his Czech debut in Bohuslav Martinu’s comedy on the Bridge at the Northern Bohemian Theatre of Opera and Ballet and since has sung in theaters in the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Japan and France. In 2010 Bijok recorded the lead role of Lucas in the world premiere recording of Bohuslav Martinu’s “Le Jour de Bonte” under the Arco Diva label. Bijok has currently relocated to his home town of Kamloops. Dedicating more time to teaching, he presently acts as choral instructor at Thompson Rivers University, and continues to spread the secrets of Bel Canto in his private studio. In 2015 Tomas founded the TRU Chamber Chorus which won third at the 2018 Provincial Festival of the Performing Arts in BC. Most recently Tomas has been acting as the conductor of the Kamloops Happy Choristers, Music Minister at Mount Paul United Church, and Chorus Master of the Kamloops Symphony. When not singing, Bijok can be found in the kitchen making a mess and exquisite food.

2023-24 Season

During the 2023/24 Season, the KSO Chorus will be performing in two programmes with the Kamloops Symphony:

• Christmas with the KSO Saturday & Sunday, December 16 & 17, 2023
• Mozart meets Margit Sky Saturday & Sunday, April 27 & 28, 2024
  

Rehearsals will take place on Wednesday evenings, from 7:30 to 9:30 pm in the Kelson Hall Centre for Arts and Education (330 St. Paul Street), starting  in the fall of 2023. Participants are required to be available for additional rehearsals immediately preceding concert weekends.

SIGN UP

Interested singers are asked to sign up each year (even if you sang in the chorus last season) so that we know how many people to expect. The sign up form for the 2023/24 Season will be available in August.