About the Chorus
Our History, Artistic Team, and Executive Committee
History & Background
In 1984 a group of Police Officers representing all the Police Forces of Greater Victoria banded together to form the Greater Victoria Police Chorus.
Since then, the Chorus has extended to include retired officers from across Canada and overseas, as well as civilian members.
Initially formed to promote fellowship among Police Departments, the Chorus has developed as a means for police officers and the public to relate in an informal manner. The Chorus now includes a popular quartet and several excellent soloists.
The Chorus sings under the guidance of a professional Music Director and is supported by professional musicians. This greatly enhances the experience for both the Chorus members and the audience.
With such support, we can include a great variety of music genres ranging from choral selections, spiritual, popular ballads and rock and roll. At a concert you might hear selections as diverse as Amazing Grace, Sweet Caroline and Sloop John B.
The Chorus is regularly invited to sing throughout Victoria and Vancouver Island at community functions in churches, retirement homes, Legions, and other settings. The Chorus has also performed elsewhere in British Columbia, in Alberta, in the United States and in Europe.
Social agencies have found the Greater Victoria Police Chorus to be a proven aid to their fundraising efforts. The Chorus has performed hundreds of fundraising concerts with proceeds going to the sponsoring organizations. Notably, members of the Chorus are themselves volunteers who devote their talents, and thousands of hours of their time, to their community.
The Artistic Team
Janet Rendell, Music Director
Read Janet's Biography ⟶
Janet graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama with diplomas in piano accompaniment and music education. Her first music teaching job was in the Orkney Islands, where she flew to a different island each day, guitar in hand, to share her love of music with children of all ages.
Seeking adventure, Janet moved to Edmonton to work as a nanny for a year. While also studying piano at the University of Alberta, Janet became immersed in Edmonton’s rich musical life and the rest is history. Janet has been involved in choirs all of her life as singer, pianist and director in Scotland, Edmonton, Calgary, White Rock and now Victoria.
Janet is very proud to be part of the Greater Victoria Police Chorus and is having the time of her life with this talented and wonderful group of singers and musicians.
Kathy Russell, Pianist
Read Kathy's Biography ⟶
Kathy Russell received her Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Piano Performance from the University of Victoria. She is the recipient of innumerable scholarships that have allowed her to travel and perform throughout Western Canada, the U.S., and Europe.
Kathy has developed a great love for Choral Music. In the past two decades she has worked as Accompanist with more than a dozen choirs in the Victoria area. She is currently accompanying both the Greater Victoria Police Chorus and the Avalon Singers. In 2015 the BC Choral Federation presented Kathy the ‘Joyce O. Maguire’ (pianist for the Vancouver Bach Choir for nearly 40 years) Award for long-term service as a Choral Accompanist.
Kathy resides in Sooke with her husband Kevin and son Konnor. Kathy operates a thriving piano studio she calls “The Painted Piano” which is a study hall for more than 40 private students. She has a great love for nature and the great outdoors, and can often be found in her garden.
Mary Ross, Accordionist
Read Mary's Biography ⟶
Mary has accompanied the Greater Victoria Police Chorus since 2000. She enjoys the enthusiasm that the Chorus has for music and the varied entertaining programs that they perform.
Mary’s musical career has been diverse as an entertainer and music instructor. Performances have taken her to Scotland, Greenland, Yukon down to Texas. Venues have been unique . They include performing on a double decker bus, 50 foot yacht, Air Canada flight (before 911), CNR train, a floating pub and Scottish Castles.
Mary graduated with a Bachelor of Education (Music Major) in her hometown of Calgary and taught at elementary schools in Victoria, B.C. for six years. In addition to performing with the Chorus, she provides music for Scottish Country Dancing Events throughout Canada and USA, and continues to enjoy teaching and performing at various venues.
Ed Salyn, Drummer
Read Ed's Biography ⟶
Ed Salyn has been the drummer with Police Chorus since 2000. As a youth he played the trumpet in a sea cadet marching band and worked in a music store.
For many years he played drums with dance bands in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and in Victoria.
The Executive Team
President: Gerry Bliss
Vice President: Rob McIntosh
Treasurer: Trevor Hinch
Secretary: Dave Bray
Member at Large: Don MacSween
Past President: Allan Millham