About Us

---

Victoria has been Choir Director for the Robert Wood Singers since September 2018.  

Victoria has been working within the field of music her entire life and she is very proud to have been a member of many very prestigious choirs, both as a singer and as a conductor. Most recently she has been working as the conductor of the Niagara Men’s Chorus since the summer of 2017.  

Victoria lived in London, Ontario for the last 10 years and studied at the University of Western Ontario and had opportunities to work with such choral conductors as Victoria Meredith, Jennifer Moir and Gerald Neufeld. She also had the opportunity to study and learn under the tutelage of internationally recognized organist and current President of the London Centre of the Royal Canadian College of Organists, Dr. Wayne Carroll with his choir in St. Thomas, Ontario.  

While she greatly enjoyed her time working with Dr. Wayne Carroll, Victoria’s fiercest passion lies with the community choirs that she has conducted, including the West Elgin Choral Society (WECS). She acted as conductor of the WECS from 2013-2017 and together they worked with many different genres of choral music. Victoria has directed thematically organized concerts, such as “The British Isles,” “Hollywood to Broadway,” “Picturesque Christmas,” and most recently “Leaves of Remembrance.”  

Since Victoria moved to Niagara Falls, she feels fortunate to work with the Niagara Men’s Chorus, but deeply misses working in a SATB setting. She feels, as our new conductor, the combination of her background in the educational and therapeutic fields of music will encourage good singing and enrich the choral experience for The Singers. Victoria believes good fellowship is the key to choral setting as it is what makes choir therapeutic and enjoyable and will provide the public with a wonderful and exciting experience every time they join us for one of our concerts. 

Bob  had a long career in the business of teaching music until his passing on September 22, 2023. After  graduating from Stratford Teacher’s College in 1959, he began teaching  with the London Board of education. In 1964 he moved to Port Colborne  where he was appointed Supervisor of Music for the Port Colborne Board  of Education. In 1966 he became the Music Director for the Port Colborne  Operatic Society.

In 1968, along with a group of PCOS singers, he formed  the Robert Wood Singers, and became their Music Director. He held this  position until his retirement in 2000. Other musical appointments Bob  has held over the years include:

• 1969 – Appointed Music Consultant to Niagara South Board of Education.
• 1974 – Appointed Music Director to Central United Church, Welland.
• 1980 – Appointed Director of Music at Central United Church, Port Colborne.
• 1983 – Formed “The Wood Kids” young people’s choir associated with the Robert Wood Singers.
• 1990 – Received citenship award from Port Colborne/Wainfleet Chamber of Commerce.
• 2000 – Retired from directing the Robert Wood Singers.
• 2001 – Formed a new Senior’s Choir in Port Colborne – The Harbour Lights Singers.

In the summer of 2008, Deanna Schaus stepped down as  director of the Robert Wood Singers, and Bob once more took over as the  choir began a rebuilding process.

After the final Spring Concert of 2012, Bob stepped down from leadership of the choir for a well-deserved retirement.