The Choir

The Philharmonic Choir of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra (PCNSO) is a community choir based in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.  Founded in 1987 as an oratorio choir specifically to perform Handel's Messiah with the NSO, the PCNSO has broadened itself substantially and now performs several concerts each season with a wide variety of repertoire.  The PCNSO continues to be dedicated to working cooperatively with the NSO to foster and perform symphonic choral music.

The mission of the choir can be summarized in the following three goals:

• To work toward becoming the finest choral ensemble it can be, thereby providing its singers with one of the most fulfilling musical and educational experiences of their lives.
• To make all those associated (executive committee members, singers and supporters) proud and excited to be a part of the organization.
• To provide significant, worthwhile and beautiful choral performances to the greater St. John's community.

Director

Douglas Dunsmore began his training with a passion to become a high school music teacher in Saskatchewan in the late 1960's. He later earned graduate and doctoral degrees in choral conducting and music education. During his years in Saskatchewan, he worked with school, community and church choirs. Since coming to Newfoundland in 1979, he has worked extensively at Memorial University of Newfoundland’s School of Music where he is director of choral activities while assuming other leadership positions in national organizations.

On the podium within the University he has repeatedly brought Memorial choirs to success in national and international competitions and in the classroom he has been strongly influential in the development of the legion of highly successful choral conductors who have helped earn Newfoundland and Labrador the reputation of being the singing province.

He is a founding artistic co-director of the widely acclaimed international choral festival, Festival 500: Sharing the Voices and since 1997 has been actively involved in all facets of festival programming, including its presence in Labrador and the west coast of the Island (Corner Brook).

In addition to his festival activities, Dr. Dunsmore is a professor at Memorial University’s School of Music (choral activities), choirmaster at Gower Street United Church and conductor of the Philharmonic Choir of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra.

Accompanist

Born in Guelph, Ontario, Darryl Cremasco received his Bachelor of Music from Wilfrid Laurier University, where he studied piano performance with Dr. James Parker and Professor Anya Alexeyev. He has served as an accompanist to many ensembles in and around Southern Ontario including the Gilbert and Sullivan Ensemble. From 2004 to 2006, Darryl was the choral director at the Unity Centre in Kitchener, Ontario. He has been an active pianist and chamber musician, performing on the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Noon Recital Series, the Wellington County Museum Gallery Concert Series and the Saint Mary’s Sunday Afternoon Concert Series. From 2006 to 2007, Darryl lived in Heidelberg, Germany where he worked as a choral assistant for the Capella Carolina University Choir under the direction of Dr. Franz Wassermann, as well as studied Musicology and German. This past year he acted as a choral assistant and accompanist for the concert and chamber choirs at Wilfrid Laurier University, directed by Dr. Lee Willingham. As a full time Masters student at Memorial University, Darryl is continuing his studies in collaborative pianism and choral conducting.

Choristers

The PCNSO's singers range in age from twenty to eighty years and come from a diverse range of backgrounds. Some are present or former professional musicians and music educators, but many are working professionals and retired persons. We even have several members of the clergy and a Justice of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland!

A complete list of choir members is available.

Membership is open to anyone following successful completion of an audition in the fall and payment of choir dues. Under normal circumstances full-time students are not accepted due to the likelihood of conflicts with the student's exam and study schedules. Dues are $100 per season at present (with music and special costs such as Festival 500 fees being extra).