Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs
One of the largest symphonic choirs in Canada, the Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs provides high-quality choral training for singers of all ages, and presents stunning choral concerts in epic venues and unexpected community spaces.
The Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs (VBFC) started as a single symphonic choir for adults, which gave its first concert at the Orpheum Theatre in December 1930. Today, the VBFC boasts nine choral ensembles and has grown to become one of the largest choral groups in Metro Vancouver. The VBFC is the only organization in Canada to provide choral singing and education to nearly 500 voices from kindergarten through adulthood.
The VBFC presents a variety of concerts each season, and has been responsible for the British Columbia premiere of a number of major works including Rossini’s Stabat Mater, Fanshawe’s African Sanctus, Lloyd Webber’s Requiem, Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio, Berlioz’ Messe Solennelle, Penderecki’s Polish Requiem, and Adam’s El Nino. The choir has also commissioned and premiered extended works by Canadian composers John Estacio and Christos Hatzis as well as many shorter pieces by other Canadian composers.
Choral Ensembles:
The adult program consists of three choral ensembles (Symphonic, Cantabile, and Sarabande), and explores a vast range of repertoire from past to present with passion and commitment. Under the baton of Maestro Leslie Dala, the symphonic choir (often referred to as the Vancouver Bach Choir) shares the vibrant and culturally diverse beauty of choral music with local, national, and international communities. Through its series of concerts presented at the magnificent Orpheum Theatre, St Andrews Wesley, and the Vancouver Playhouse, this choir performs with world-class musicians and presents much-loved large-scale choral works. Directed by Cathrie Yuen, Cantabile, uniquely rehearses during the day, and this supportive ensemble focuses its efforts on uplifting community performances. Shane Raman directs VBFC’s diverse adult chamber choir, Sarabande, which performs a wide variety of challenging choral music from early madrigals to contemporary a cappella with infection commitment on both large stages and boutique pubs.
