About Us
The Maple Ridge Chorus is the oldest and largest secular community choir for adults in Maple Ridge. Founded in 1933 as the Maple Ridge Choral Society (MRCS), we are an inclusive organization that reflects the diversity of Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, and adjacent municipalities. Although we still officially operate as the MRCS, we now promote our choir as the Maple Ridge Chorus.
The Chorus sings in four-part harmony: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass (SATB). The 70+ members of our mixed choir range widely in age, but we have one thing in common—we love to sing! We enjoy singing an eclectic mix of music: popular, show tunes, Christmas, folk, sacred, classical, and more.
We’re always looking for new singers and accept new members for the first two weeks of each season (in September and January). For more about membership, see: Contact Us
The Choral Society is a member of the BC Choral Federation and is proud to be an active participant in the local arts community.
Singers automatically become part of the MRCS, a non-profit society registered under the Societies Act (B.C.). An elected Board of Directors meets monthly to govern the MRCS. We hold an annual general meeting at the end of our spring season, a week or so after our annual spring concert.
Our Board of Directors
Listed below are the Directors of the MRCS Board for 2026-2027:
- Jude Conroy, President
- Geraldine (Geri) Bolan, Vice-President
- Kristi Hines, Secretary
- Carolyn Gosling , Treasurer
- Susan Pichugin, Member Representative
- Shawna Van Aert, Concert Chair
- Shirley Jones, Member At Large
- Jancis O’Mara, Member At Large
- Ryan Hines, Member At Large
- Laura Pachal, Member At Large
- Marilyn Piticco, Member At Large
- Thyra Gillese, Past President
- Frank Zieginson, Artistic Director
Mission
The Maple Ridge Choral Society is a community choir dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of its members, the people of Maple Ridge and surrounding communities by presenting the best of choral music spanning the centuries. The Maple Ridge Choral Society aims to provide the highest degree of excellence possible.
The Maple Ridge Choral Society is committed to:
- Providing a vehicle for the community at large to participate in and experience choral singing;
- Fostering an appreciation of choral singing among the public;
- Maintaining a high standard of performance and promoting the continuing growth and development of the MRCS;
- Promoting and enjoying artistic, musical and cultural values;
- Entertaining the public at large;
- Participating with other choirs in combined concerts, tours and other choral music oriented activities;
- Operating as a non-profit organization.
Direction
Frank Zieginson
Artistic Director
Canadian pianist, conductor, and music educator Frank Zieginson is known for his dynamic leadership, imaginative programming, and commitment to inclusive community music. Based in Vancouver, Frank currently serves as Minister of Music at Lynn Valley United Church, where since 2016 he has shaped an innovative music ministry, championing programs like the Music Immersion Experience, Lessons and Carols, Kids Drum Circle, and Young Adult Worship Night.
Frank Zieginson is also Artistic Director for the Lynn Valley Voices, the Maple Ridge Choral Society, and the Rainbow Chorus of New Westminster, bringing vision and creativity to each ensemble he leads. With Lynn Valley Voices, he cultivates a welcoming and diverse community of singers united by a love of song. As Artistic Director and Conductor of the Maple Ridge Choral Society, he has designed and directed major concerts, highlighted by the ensemble’s 2025 Carnegie Hall appearance and the Canadian premiere of Heather Sorenson’s Requiem. Through his leadership of the Rainbow Chorus of New Westminster, he has energized the choir with imaginative programming, innovative fundraising, and vibrant community events such as the Annual Festive Sing-along.
Frank’s experience spans decades as a private instructor and collaborative pianist, mentoring musicians of all ages and abilities to develop artistry and confidence. He is highly regarded for his supportive teaching and his ability to inspire students “to see beyond the simple notes on the page.” His leadership extends to production management and festival direction, reflecting a holistic approach to music as community-building, spiritual practice, and personal expression.
Frank holds a Master of Music in Collaborative Piano (University of Maryland), Master of Music in Piano Performance (Brandon University), Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance (University of Lethbridge), and a Performance Diploma from Red Deer College. He continues private conducting and voice studies, affirming his commitment to lifelong learning and musical growth.
James Dekker
Pianist
James Dekker is a talented multi-instrumentalist who enjoys performing and accompanying in many musical styles. He currently holds the accompanist position with the Maple Ridge Chorus and the Rainbow Chorus of New Westminster. A proud graduate of Capilano University’s Jazz Studies Program, he has had the opportunity of working with musicians such as Dee Daniels, Donny McCaslin, and many more.
James has been interested in music all his life, starting to play piano not long after learning to walk. Recently, he has enjoyed performing and recording with groups such as the Jamie Lee Trio (a modern jazz/fusion group) and Big Madge (a ska/punk band formed with fellow Capilano graduates). When he isn’t playing music, James can often be found rock climbing or playing board games with friends.
Long-time MRCS member Gloria Morrisette wrote this article that was published on December 9, 2005 in the Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Times. Gloria passed away peacefully at Baillie House in Maple Ridge on May 13, 2013, at the age of 104.
Looking Back: the Maple Ridge Choral Society
by Gloria Morrisette
It is believed the Maple Ridge Choral Society is the oldest one in the district. The Choir is made up of members of the Maple Ridge Community. Records show it became active in 1933 by a group of residents who loved to sing choral music. It was reported in the Gazette of November 2, 1933 that the Choir would hold its first concert on November 8 under the direction of J.P. Nelson in the United Church Hall in Hammond. The price of admission was only 25 cents.
It was also reported that three guest artists from Vancouver contributed solos to the program. They were Miss Nan Stewart and Masters Jack Fraser and Glen Nelson. It was also written: “the choral society has a very definite place in the life of a community”. Val Patenaude, curator of the Maple Ridge Museum provided the above information. On December 17, 1948, the Anglican Players of Maple Ridge and the choral society presented a joint program featuring a nativity play, “For Unto Us” with choral music. Admission was 50 cents.
George Sheldrake was one of the group’s first leaders. He was a talented musician who also led a brass band that we sang with while under his direction. Mr. Sheldrake was an employee of the Gazette. We soon had a membership of 100 singers and as we developed and put on concerts, they were well received by our audiences.
One of our earlier leaders was Monrad Malmin, who was also a talented orchestral director. While singing under his direction, we were accompanied by a large string orchestra.
From the beginning, our aim has always been to give pleasure to our members and audiences by singing a variety of music, including band, classical, spiritual, sacred and folk. We always put on several concerts a year. We carried on like that for eight years, but the day came when we were not able to obtain a director so the choir was disbanded for “the time being” much to our disappointment. The “time being” turned out to be twenty years.
Then, in 1984, the choir was revived under the leadership of Robin Williams, by a group of residents who loved singing choral music. I was a member of that group and I am the only one of them still with the choral society. Over the many years since then, we have had a variety of leaders, including, Sally Novinger, Terry Pitt-Brooke, Susan James, Jody Dahle, Fiona Blackburn, Joel Scmidt and Carry Tenant. Today (2005), we have 40 members and our pianist is Marlin Hall, who has been with us for many years. Our conductor is Judith Bergthorson.