Our Mission and Values
Our Mission
Cantorion Choir is London's premier community choir. Based on the tradition of the Welsh choral experience, Cantorion contributes to the community by providing excellent concert performances.
Our Values
** To encourage the enjoyment of singing together
** Respects and supports each chorister in their choral experience.
** Strives for musical excellence at all times.
** Acts professionally and with integrity in all choir activities.
** Makes decisions collaboratively.
** Is inclusive of gender, race, age, sexual orientation and ability.
** Approaches all aspects of choral experience with a positive attitude, humor, honesty, respect and patience.
Our Beginnings
Cantorion Choir has been a part of the musical fabric of London since 1981. It was then that Ken Jones, a new Canadian from Ruthin, North Wales, persuaded nine members of the London Welsh Society to help him realize his dream of promoting Welsh music and heritage in Canada. They formed the London Welsh Singers, which then became Cantorion Cymraeg Canada / Canadian Welsh Singers and are now known as Cantorion.
The choir performs an extensive range of music including classical, popular, folk, Broadway and traditional Welsh selections. A mixed voice or SATB choir, Cantorion has approximately 40 singers. The choir performs four or five times a year in London and surrounding area. Its members have also performed in Ottawa, Wales, Vermont and Pennsylvania. Cantorion's recent initiative is to showcase both instrumental and vocal student musicians during performances.
Donations to the Choir
Cantorion Choir is a non-profit organization with a receipted charitable donation status. Tax receipts are issued for all donations over $20.
Charitable Organizations We Have Supported include:
- Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada
- Ovarian Cancer Research
- Wellspring Cancer Support
- The Huntington Society of Canada
- Epilepsy Support Centre
- Alzheimer Society of Canada
- Daily Bread Program and Fellowship Centre
- London Community Chaplaincy
Our Conductor

Born in Winnipeg, Kimberly Nikkel completed her Masters of Music in Choral Conducting at the University of Alberta. She takes pride in having used music to spread goodwill and generosity in her community, raising thousands of dollars each year for charity. In addition to serving as Music Director for Cantorion, Kimberly co-conducts the Valleyview Male Chorus, directs the HIGH Day Senior Band, plays in a family folk/celtic ensemble entitled Winter Wheat and offers her conducting, voice and flute in various ensembles and churches in London.
Our Pianists

Beth Hickey - our accompanist, is a graduate of Western's Faculty of Music. She is music director of Chalmers Presbyterian Church. She also accompanies the South Huron Community Choir and Forest City Talent Education program. She is a free lance accompanist and piano teacher.
Stories from Our Members

Don had not sung since grade 4 and was now approaching retirement with a notion of doing something musical. He didn't read music, but was willing to learn. During a Cantorion Fall Open House, Don showed up to observe the choir during one of its practices. Not allowed to just observe, he was put next to tenor Eddie for the evening. Eddie showed Don the ropes and encouraged him along. Don became a member when he retired the following year. After just two practices, Don asked, Judy Brown the choir director, if she thought he was ready to contribute to an upcoming concert. Judy's reply, "You're ready, I didn't hear anything awful coming from your direction!" Supportive, encouraging, fun - Cantorion Values.

William came to one of Cantorion's events and had so much fun, he decided to give the choir a try and has stayed with it. His musical training is rather elementary: " I knew what a staff was and that the notes higher up the staff had to be sung higher - and that is about all. I'm enjoying learning about music, singing, and the social time with the other members of the choir. It takes me away from my usual daily concerns. I find choir fun, challenging, and enriching". Click here to edit text