About

Universal Gospel Choir

The Universal Gospel Choir is a fifty-member non-denominational community choir based in Vancouver, BC. This exciting ensemble sings songs of healing, praise, prayer and peace from a wide variety of cultures. The choir is known for its passion, versatility, exciting soloists, and love of singing and performing. Its diverse and eclectic repertoire reflects African-American, African, Middle Eastern and Aboriginal influences. Peter O'Loughlin, who founded the choir in 1985, envisioned a group that would celebrate the beauty and common ground shared by spiritual traditions around the world. Although individual choir members have come and gone throughout the years, Peter's vision continues to live on at the heart of the choir.

The Universal Gospel Choir's current director, Brian Tate, has conducted community choirs for many years, and is acclaimed for both his sense of musicality and his rapport with audiences. An award-winning composer and arranger, his works are published and performed worldwide. A popular clinician, Brian frequently presents workshops for church, community, and school choirs. Read more.

The choir's resident band features three of Vancouver's finest musicians: Patrick Dubois on piano, Phil Belanger on drums and Danny Parker on bass. Patrick Dubois is also the resident accompanist for the choir, and sings in the bass section.

The choir's first album was released in 1990. In 1996 they added another, Grace Happens, which featured guest soloists Marcus Mosely and Leora Cashe. This CD was nominated for "Best World Music Album" at the 1997 Pacific Music Industry Association Awards. In 2002 the choir released The Universal Gospel Choir - Live, recorded at Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver. All of these recordings are available through the choir and can be found in our Store.

In addition to their large public concerts, the choir shares its healing music with those audiences who are unable to attend or afford public concerts. This has taken the form of small outreach concerts, which have become an integral part of the choir's mandate. In 1998, The Universal Gospel Choir formalized these events to become its Community Outreach Series - Sharing the Spirit. The choir also hosts an enormously popular "Sing-along" evening every March, where the audience and choir become one.
Broken Up

Community Events

Last Lineup

Kate Smith
Soprano
Jan Tennant
Soprano
Kathryn Nicholson
Music Director
Deborah Roberts
soprano
Marilee Roome
soprano
Jan Tennant
soprano
Brian Tate
Director
Diane Lines
piano
Marilee Roome
Soprano
Deborah Roberts
Soprano
Erin Berube
Soprano
Roxie Giles
Soprano
Eleanor May
Soprano
David Wu
Tenor
2010 - The End
Rick Pollay
Bass
2010 - The End
Douglas DentonHowes
Bass
2010 - The End
Sandy Hill
Bass
2010 - The End
Alvin Hamm
Bass
2010 - The End
Dan Grant
Bass
2010 - The End
Jerome Francis
Bass
2010 - The End
Chris Fowles
Bass
2010 - The End
Jerry Cirencione
Bass
2010 - The End
Michael Bryant
Bass
2010 - The End
Jan Bryant
Tenor
2010 - The End
Guy Vallieres
Tenor
2010 - The End
Morning Star Trickey
Tenor
2010 - The End
Mary Martens
Tenor
2010 - The End
Michael Marrapese
Tenor
2010 - The End
Mark Kim
Tenor
2010 - The End
Chris Horrocks
Tenor
2010 - The End
Joseph Han
Tenor
2010 - The End
Kate Gordanier-Smith
Tenor
2010 - The End
Greg Chin
Tenor
2010 - The End

Past Members

Kathryn Aberle
alto
? - 2010
Lili-kayy Park
soprano
? - 2010
Patti Powell
soprano
? - 2010
Kyla Reid
soprano
? - 2010
Esther Sarlo
soprano
? - 2010
Philippa Syme
soprano
? - 2010
Patricia Tate
soprano
? - 2010
Gail Trainer
soprano
? - 2010
Frances Young
soprano
? - 2010
Nancy Newman
soprano
? - 2010
Kate Braid
alto
? - 2010
Amy Clausen
alto
? - 2010
Jennifer Engracio
alto
? - 2010
Mcee Etoc
alto
? - 2010
Sarah King
alto
? - 2010
Jana Konkin
alto
? - 2010
Diana Lamare
alto
? - 2010
Christine Best
soprano
? - 2010
Liz Neil
soprano
? - 2010
Sandi Melody
soprano
? - 2010
Katie Mcniven gladman
soprano
? - 2010
Eleanor May
soprano
? - 2010
Kathy Maclennan
soprano
? - 2010
Samia Lobo
soprano
? - 2010
Adrienne Lewis
soprano
? - 2010
Adriane Lake
soprano
? - 2010
Allison Hossack
soprano
? - 2010
Ria Holmgren
soprano
? - 2010
Sally Hammond
soprano
? - 2010
Carolyne Fallows
soprano
? - 2010
Rosemary Burd
soprano
? - 2010
Corinne Brolewicz
soprano
? - 2010
Mebrat Beyene
soprano
? - 2010