Denis Donnelly

Denis became deeply involved in the folk music scene during the 1960s, where he discovered his passion for singing in harmony. However, it was his participation in his high school choir, under the direction of Jim Johnson (a BC Choral Federation Herbert Drost award recipient in 2003) that was a pivotal experience in his life. He went on to graduate from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Music degree. Following graduation Denis went on to work at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, becoming its Director in 1985. After overseeing the Conservatory’s purchase, renovation, and move to its current home in the former Metropolitan United Church in 1999, he left to pursue his own musical interests, including playing with his musical partner Lanny Pollet.

From 1999 through to 2018, Denis was the arranger, as well as co-director with Siobhan Robinsong, of the 250+ voice Gettin’ Higher Choir, a non-auditioned community choir.

Very active as an arranger, Denis’s arrangements and compositions are a staple of the Wavelengths repertoire, and are in frequent use throughout North America, especially within the Ubuntu Choirs Network.

In 2004, Denis and Siobhan developed the annual and highly influential and successful Community Choir Leadership Trainingprogram, which has led to the creation of the Ubuntu Choirs Network (50+ choirs and growing). This has become a network of non-auditioned, community-based, and socially responsible choirs and singing groups all over North America, all based on the principles of inclusivity and joyful community singing.