EVANNE WILHELM – Artistic Director
Evanne Wilhelm was appointed Artistic Director of the Regina Philharmonic Chorus in 2023. She is thrilled to lead the chorus for the first time in the “Carry the Light Season,” the 51st Season of the RPC. Evanne is also the Director of Music at the Holy Rosary Cathedral of Regina, SK, where she works with the choir and several talented organists and cantors to provide liturgical music for weekly masses, liturgies, and major liturgical holidays and celebrations. As a University of Saskatchewan graduate student, Ms. Wilhelm is studying toward a Master of Music in Choral Conducting under Dr. Jennifer Lang. She is the proud David L. Kaplan and USask Music Department scholarship recipient.
A recent musical import to the city of Regina in 2021, Wilhelm previously lived and worked in Estevan, Saskatchewan, following the completion of her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education in 2005. While at U of R, Evanne studied as a voice major under Lynn Channing and was a member of the University of Regina Chamber Singers and University of Regina Concert Choir with conductors Kathryn Laurin and Diane Taylor-Neale. As the daughter of a voice teacher, she studied piano and singing from an early age and learned collaborative pianist skills with the girl’s choirs and vocalists surrounding her in childhood and adolescence. Throughout her teaching career, she has conducted youth and community-level choirs and directed several high school musicals and plays. In 2018 she was nominated as a “Woman of Today” for the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards by her students and colleagues in the ‘Education and Mentorship’ category for her music education work with choirs and musicals at the Estevan Comprehensive School. As a teacher in Regina with Luther College High School, Evanne continues to work with youth and adults in musicals and choirs, where she directs the Grade 9 & 10 Treble Chorus and Handbells. She is a proud wife, a busy mother of two, and the eldest daughter of a close-knit and musical family. When not in rehearsals, you will often find her running between a hockey rink, music lessons, a basketball court, or a dance studio or spending time with family!
HART GODDEN – Artistic Director Emeritus
Hart Godden is the former Artistic Director and an honorary life member of the Regina Philharmonic Chorus (RPC). Under his direction, the RPC has developed into one of the major choruses in Canada with over 100 singers and a repertoire which includes Orff’s Carmina Burana, Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s Magnificat, Duruflé’s Requiem and Jenkins’ The Armed Man.
Hart Godden is also the founder and Artistic Director of the Halcyon Chamber Choir. This award-winning youth choir is known for its exquisite choral sound, dramatic presentations, and sheer on-stage energy. Halcyon has regularly appeared with the RSO and the RPC.
Mr. Godden also holds the position of Director of Music and Organist of Knox-Metropolitan United Church, where he conducts the Senior and Junior Choirs.
As a performer, he is often heard in concert with Tara Semple, flute, as the duo High F’lutin’. He also performs with the Regina Symphony Orchestra as organist and keyboardist. As well, he now appears regularly with the baroque ensemble, Per Sonatori, as harpsichordist and organist.
Mr. Godden has also trained as a pipe organ technician, and works for Pipework, the Western Canadian representative for Casavant Frères Limitée. He has worked on numerous instruments in Canada and the U.S. As well, he maintains a music studio, where he teaches piano, organ, theory and harmony, and coaches vocal students in musical theatre.
Hart grew up in Saskatoon, and completed an ARCT and LTCL in piano as well as a B. Mus. degree from the University of Saskatchewan. He then completed a Master of Music in conducting and a B.Ed. at the University of Regina. He also received an ARCCO from the Royal Canadian College of Organists.
