About

who we are

Serious Options

The group is known for performing adventurous and unusual repertoire in creative ways.

Their music encompasses a great range of styles, from the classics to Broadway tunes with choreography, and more avant-garde contemporary pieces.

Serious Options generally provides two programs each year in late winter and late spring. However, SO is also committed to working with other choirs from around the province, and hosts joint concerts, travels to perform in other communities, and often participates in local choral showcases.

The members are from all walks of life and are comprised of both professional and amateur musicians of all ages who share an enthusiasm for passionate and innovative performance.

noralee quast

Artistic Director

Noralee is the founder and artistic director of Serious Options since its beginning nearly 30 years ago. After involvement in high caliber music programs at the coast, Noralee moved to Kamloops to teach at the elementary level and achieve a Masters in Education. Her career included many school choirs and musicals, Westsyde Boys’ Choir, Kamloops School District Children’s Choir, Kamloops Youth Choir and Higher Ground.

Known for her passionate and quirky choral directing style, members of Serious Options are grateful for her caring nature, attention to detail, and commitment to finding and producing quality choral repertoire of the highest standard.

pianists

Pianist: Lori Jane Froese

Lori Jane joined Serious Options in 1997 and has collaboratively accompanied the choir ever since. In addition to her ARCT in piano, she has collected degrees from University of Calgary with specialties in flute and Kodaly. Lori Jane is well-known for her master teaching throughout School District #73 with imaginative and comprehensive classroom music programs as well as creative musicals. LJ served as the Music Coordinator for the Kamloops School District for a number of years. She is instrumental in the continued success of the Kamloops School District Children’s Choir.

Pianist: Ellen McMillan

Pianist: Lori Jane Froese

Ellen is a born and bred Kamloopsian. Ellen received her Music Degree in Piano and Voice from UBC where she later also took her Education degree. Ellen taught for over 30 years in the Kamloops Thompson District and now enjoys a quieter lifestyle singing and playing with Serious Options as well as directing her own women’s choir.

Heather Sutherland

Choir Manager

Heather has been singing with Serious Options for more than a decade now and this last year took on the role of Choir Manager. Her love of community music sparked when she starred as a young “Henny Penny” in her class musical. Her early days of a curious and dramatic hen has developed into a flourishing young creative. Heather has a diploma in graphic design which she puts to use for the choir posters, programs and social media. Her favourite past time is making memories with her budding family and of course singing with Serious Options.