Who We Are
What began 49 years ago in the Spring of 1976 by Abbotsford choral conductor Rudy Baerg has grown to become a choir every community would be proud to claim as their own. The Valley Festival Singers of Abbotsford, BC is a choir where community happens.
Multi-generational, the Valley Festival Singers is comprised of adult singers of all ages. The common thread is their love of singing and their joy is sharing choral music. Marilyn Bysouth, a former president of the VFS says:
“Music is a vital part of everyone’s lives; it brings immeasurable joy and it is a lifeline to our community. I am privileged to be a part of the Valley Festival Singers.”
Director
Robert Workman
Rob is a conductor, singer, and educator who finds great joy in guiding musicians towards excellence. His diverse musical background contributes to a broad understanding of musical style, expression, and artistry. Rob’s conducting style has been praised as clear and evocative, facilitating precision and excellence in his choirs. Rob loves the dedication and community of the Valley Festival Singers, and it brings him immense joy to continue the choir’s legacy in bringing beautiful choral music to the Fraser Valley.
Outside of VFS, Rob is also the Associate Director of Pacific Voices, and he teaches several classes at Trinity Western University.
Rob holds degrees from Trinity Western University (BA in Music, 2017) and the University of Manitoba (MMus in Choral Conducting, 2020). He currently lives in Langley with his lovely wife and two daughters, for whom he is grateful every day.
Accompanist
Carmen Fast
Carmen Fast Hollett’s love for accompanying began in grade 8 when she auditioned for her High School music teacher Larry Nickel. Completing her ARCT (Royal Conservatory of Music Toronto) at age 18, she went on to receive her B.A. in music from Trinity Western University, and M.Mus from California State University Los Angeles.
Currently on the faculty at TWU in the School of the Arts, Media and Culture (SAMC), Carmen frequently collaborates with musicians and choral ensembles across the Lower Mainland.
She has acted as rehearsal accompanist for conductors Bramwell Tovey, Jon Washburn, Larry Nickel, Calvin Dyck, Wes Janzen and Joel Tranquilla.
Carmen calls Abbotsford her home, along with her husband Rodney and four children: Jack, Sam, Lucy and Annie.
Betty Suderman
Pianist Betty Suderman served as accompanist for Valley Festival Singers for 49 years, enriching the choir with her expressive artistry and exceptional musicianship. Renowned for her collaborative work in Lieder and chamber music, she has performed and recorded with many of Canada’s leading choirs and artists.
Although now retired from her role as accompanist, Betty remains an important part of the VFS family, and we are delighted to welcome her back for portions of our recording project.
Rudy Baerg
Valley Festival Singers was founded in 1976 by the late Rudy Baerg, whose vision, warmth, and leadership shaped the choir for 25 years as Music Director. His passion for a wide range of choral music and his commitment to artistic excellence inspired generations of singers and established the strong musical foundation on which the choir continues to build today.
Rudy’s legacy lives on in the vibrant choral community he helped create and in the countless musicians whose lives he enriched through song.
Valley Festival Singers was founded in 1976 by Rudy Baerg, a gifted local choral conductor. A man of vision, warmth and energy, he served the choir with distinction as Music Director until 2001. Over the years, his artistry inspired countless singers, providing them with a marvelous opportunity to experience the joy and camaraderie of choral singing.
The choir’s repertoire reflected his wide interest in many genres of choral music; ranging from Canadian folk songs and African-American spirituals to Baroque cantatas and large scale oratorios. During his 25 years at the helm, his dynamic leadership, his commitment to excellence and his generous spirit allowed the choir to flourish and grow into the fine ensemble it is today. Rudy passed away in September 2019, leaving the community with a profound legacy for which we can all be truly grateful.