Paragon Singers

Paragon Singers Paragon Singers is a mixed choir focussing on major choral/orchestral works plus shorter choral gems both old and new.

Part of Laudate Singers Society, Paragon Singers was formed in September 2021. It is based on the North Shore of Vancouver, Canada.

Our tour continues in Como with two performances and a boat ride on Lake Como.
06/01/2025

Our tour continues in Como with two performances and a boat ride on Lake Como.

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05/31/2025

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After 24 hours of travelling (that includes time getting to the airport and layovers), we have arrived in Lake Como for ...
05/31/2025

After 24 hours of travelling (that includes time getting to the airport and layovers), we have arrived in Lake Como for a 12 day tour of Lombardy!

Nine more sleeps before we fly to Italy! Share our excitement at our arrivederci concert a week today, May 27th.
05/20/2025

Nine more sleeps before we fly to Italy! Share our excitement at our arrivederci concert a week today, May 27th.

Saviez-vous...At the École Niedermeyer de Paris, where the previously mentioned Gustave Lefùvre became director during t...
04/02/2025

Saviez-vous...At the École Niedermeyer de Paris, where the previously mentioned Gustave LefĂšvre became director during the time FaurĂ© was studying there, FaurĂ© became an ardent piano student of Camille Saint-SaĂ«ns, whose passion for teaching often had him running overtime in his lessons. Saint-SaĂ«ns introduced his students to the “modern” music of Schumann, Liszt, and Wagner, which was outside the approved school curriculum. Saint-SaĂ«ns became a mentor for FaurĂ© and continually encouraged him to compose music. When FaurĂ© became a member of the faculty at the Paris Conservatoire (pictured above), his music was derided as too avant garde; but his success and celebration as a composer (including receiving the Grand-Croix of the LĂ©gion d'honneur) eventually forced the Conservatoire to accept him. But after his death, the Conservatoire reverted to their more conservative ways and declared that FaurĂ©'s music was the most extreme end of the spectrum, to which students should not go. Join us as we go to extremes on April 12th by getting your tickets here: https://www.vtixonline.com/a-french-affair/4530/

Is there a doctor in the house? Today, we feature Paragon Singers' alto, Dr. Erika Plettner.She did her Baccalaureate at...
04/01/2025

Is there a doctor in the house? Today, we feature Paragon Singers' alto, Dr. Erika Plettner.

She did her Baccalaureate at the Swiss School of Mexico), B.Sc. and Ph.D. at SFU and Postdoctoral research U of T and the University of Utah.

Her current area of research is biochemistry and chemical ecology. She studies how insects and Varroa (mites that attack honey bees) communicate using chemical signals. They work on ways to eavesdrop on that communication to control the pests (like Varroa) and help beneficial insects (like the bees). More at: https://plettnergroup.weebly.com.

"I was drawn to choral singing early on. With my mom, my aunt, uncle and cousin we sang many rounds, for example, while travelling. My mom sang in the choir of our church in Mexico City for many years and, one day when I was in high school, she took me with her. That year we performed the Gloria by Vivaldi and Mozart's Sparrow-Mass with orchestra and professional soloists. That got me hooked, not only on larger works but also on the small gems we sang during services.

My area of academia influences my approach to practicing. As a scientist I have learned to quickly identify the parts that I don't yet know well and to practice them. My singing has made me a much better public speaker than I was when I started my independent career all those years ago. Having to lecture to large groups was very nerve-wrecking for me in the early days, and the performances at Capilano University certainly helped me to learn how to manage those nerves and project my voice.

Singing is a wonderful hobby that leads to unforgettable 'goosebump' moments. When those overtones happen or we nail that entry or get the dynamics just right, that is amazing."

You can hear Dr. Plettner's alto voice on Sat., April 12 at A French Affair. Tickets at https://www.vtixonline.com/a-french-affair/4530/

Saviez-vous...Unlike his pupil Duruflé, who was a traditionalist, Gabriel Fauré was pilloried by the faculty of the Pari...
03/30/2025

Saviez-vous...Unlike his pupil DuruflĂ©, who was a traditionalist, Gabriel FaurĂ© was pilloried by the faculty of the Paris Conservatoire as being “dangerously modern.” But eventually he was appointed to the faculty to teach composition. He was beloved by his pupils for his enthusiastic support and his open-mindedness – he allowed his pupils to develop their own style without pressing his own style onto them (in addition to DuruflĂ©, he also taught Ravel). As for FaurĂ©'s “dangerously modern” style, he adopted the new rules of harmonic theory written by Gustave LefĂšvre, in which notes traditionally viewed as passing or unresolved tones were incorporated into base harmonies and embraced as new chords. This produced rich tonal scapes that gave rise to the great Impressionists of France. Come hear FaurĂ©'s formidable masterwork, the “Requiem,” on April 12th by getting your tickets here: https://www.vtixonline.com/a-french-affair/4530/

Saviez-vous...Maurice Duruflé was a master not just of composition, but also of organ and piano accompaniment, winning t...
03/26/2025

Saviez-vous...Maurice DuruflĂ© was a master not just of composition, but also of organ and piano accompaniment, winning top prizes in all three categories at the Paris Conservatoire. But his life was primarily dedicated to his craft as an organist, and to the service of the Church, and he remained a traditionalist at heart. It is said that when he and his wife (herself an accomplished organist) attended a modern “jazz” Mass, his wife was “visibly upset,” and DuraflĂ© called it a “scandalous travesty.” He nevertheless become close friends with Poulenc, advising him on some of the finer points of organ registers for his “Concerto for Organ, Strings, and Timpani in G minor,” and performing the work's premier. Of DuruflĂ©'s compositions, however, there are relatively few because DuruflĂ© was such a perfectionist, taking years to work on compositions before publishing them, and even continuing to modify them after publication. The result is that his compositions were of the highest standard and quality, with great care and thought behind them, staying rooted in the plainsong tradition even as he imbued his music with the polyphony of the Impressionists. Come hear his remarkable music on April 12th by getting your tickets here: https://www.vtixonline.com/a-french-affair/4530/

Is there a doctor in the house? Our choir has some very well-educated folks. Today, we feature Dr. Chris Sedergreen - MB...
03/25/2025

Is there a doctor in the house? Our choir has some very well-educated folks. Today, we feature Dr. Chris Sedergreen - MB, BS, MRCP, LRCS, LMCC. Now retired from General Practice, Dr. Sedergreen first started singing in the church choir when he was 5 years old.

Dr. Sedergreen shared this lovely story about his days at medical school.

"At medical school (Barts.) I joined the college choir and came under the direction of Robert Anderson, who just happened to be a friend and teacher of the fabulous Jaqueline Du Pré, who often sat at the back of our rehearsals. Just a short walk away was St. Pauls Cathedral, where we performed (it has a 7 second echo time; very challenging!).

This was before she showed signs of MS. She was a most sweet and charming girl, and I certainly had a crush. đŸ„° (Of course Daniel Barenboim had a much stronger appeal for her than me!)

Few people know that she used to come with Robert and their 'cellos and go round the hospital wards on Christmas Day, for the patients who were too sick to be sent home. It was also at this time that one of my fellow students gave me a free ticket to Tosca at Covent Garden, where I was treated to the great Tito Gobbi singing the role of Baron Scarpia.

And just for the record, there's no one, absolutely no one who has ever come close to Jackie's performamce of the Elgar 'cello concerto!"

You can hear Dr. Sedergreen sing in our upcoming concert A French Affair. Tickets at https://www.vtixonline.com/a-french-affair/4530/.

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North Vancouver, BC

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+16047296814

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