Our History

For over a century, Vancouver has been home to Gaelic singing, and Còisir Ghàidhlig Bhancoubhair maintains that tradition today.  The Vancouver Gaelic Choir was formed in the early 1980s with a small group keen to share their Gaelic heritage.   Twenty-five years later, the choir includes people who are not native speakers, but who love the lilt of Scottish music and love to sing.  They perform a wide variety of arrangements, from old favorites like Athchuinge, a Gaelic prayer, to modern interpretations arranged for the choir by previous directors Stephen Smith and John Trotter.  Current director Dubravko Pajalic continues the tradition, most recently arranging Laoidh Chaluim Chille, St. Columba's Hymn.  Pajalic's personal interest in folk music perfectly complements the needs of a Gaelic choir in a multicultural community at the beginning of a new century.  And with excellent Gaelic coaching from Maureen Lyon, a native speaker from the Isle of Lewis, the choir can pay equal attention to the unique Gaelic sound and emotional content of the lyrics as well as the musical interpretation.

The choir has performed in Scotland's Royal National Mòd four times, winning trophies on three occasions.  At the 2005 Vancouver Mòd, the choir won against choirs from Seattle, Victoria and Edinburgh.  Còisir Ghàidhlig Bhancoubhair performs at various Lower Mainland venues, including Vancouver's Celtic Festival, Burnaby's Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, Van Dusen Garden's Festival of Lights, ceilidhs at the Scottish Cultural Centre, and other events in Vancouver.  The choir always welcomes new members.


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