BMus (Percussion) University of Victoria
MFA (Creative Writing) University of British Columbia
BMus (Percussion) University of Victoria
MFA (Creative Writing) University of British Columbia
BMus University of Victoria
MFA in Creative Writing, University of British Columbia
Tobin Stokes composes for opera, orchestra, chamber ensembles, film, theatre, choirs, and more. His operas have been produced in the US and Canada, his music for children's and adult choirs is performed around the world.
Tobin has recorded with the Vancouver Symphony and with orchestras in Moscow and Bratislava. He composed music for the 2010 Olympics and the XV Commonwealth Games.
He writes opera libretti, lyrics for choral works and music theatre, and in his free time, plays and poetry. His theatre collaborations include musical direction, arranging, and sound design.
Tobin is a recipient of various awards and grants. Past composer residencies include the International Kathaumixw Festival, PRISMA Festival, EU Urban Youth Choral Festival (Sweden), and Victoria Symphony, Canada.
WHAT'S GOING ON?
(Summer 2026)
I'm back from the PRISMA Festival on the BC Coast where three of my compositions were performed by faculty and students, The Adventures of John Ware for brass quintet, Fanfare (originally written for the 2010 Olympic torch ceremony) for large brass ensemble and percussion, and Trio Lyrical, for three trumpets, performed here by five trumpets.
Now I'm deep down the rabbit hole of research on a large new choral project that will be announced soon.
Last month I co-created The Belfry Theatre's 50th birthday celebration as musical director and arranger. Another show I co-created at the Belfry is coming to Theatre Northwest next season!
"In the final competition [...] the choir stunned the audience. Canadian composer Tobin Stokes' a cappella contemporary work, *Ikimilikiliklik*, ignited the stage with its captivating rhythm and expressive body language."
Working with Ballet BC, on
A Streetcar Named Desire
Admin. for the Opera Companies list
and #brandnewopera feed on Bluesky.