Under the direction of Brenda Uchimaru, the members of Kokoro have, since 2003, shared their joy of singing and given their passion to the heart and soul of the music that they collaboratively create. Kokoro, derives from a Japanese word, the essence of which has come to mean the centre of life; the beat of the heart; inner meaning and soul. Our name has become synonymous with our identity as a choir, expressing music that springs from the hearts, minds, spirits, and talents of our ensemble. Kokoro’s eclectic repertoire choices, spanning a wide variety of genres, include choral works by both Canadian and International composers from the 15th to 21st centuries. We find our most meaningful expression in compositions that give voice to the emotions within the lyrics and poetry put to music. Idioms of jazz, folk, gospel and the spiritual find their way into each programme. As we enter our twentieth year of singing together, we cherish our collective past and look forward to continuing our journey as a musical family. In addition to two annual concerts, Kokoro also gives back to the community through fundraising events for organizations supported by ensemble members.