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.
Beatles songs and Broadway hits are on the program featuring performers of all ages
Adult and children’s choirs perform hits by the Beatles and Broadway favourites from musicals like Mamma Mia! and Mary Poppins
Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs presents the emotional composition with text by English soldier and war poet Wilfred Owen
Soprano Melody Courage, tenor Asitha Tennekoon, and baritone Tyler Duncan to join the choirs alongside the West Coast Symphony
The concert is an evening of music all about living things
Pacific Spirit United Church concert features songs about nature, including “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”, Handel and J.S. Bach arias, and more
Offerings from the Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs, the VSO, Early Music Vancouver, and more take place on February 14 and 15
Tenor Spencer Britten, alto Nicholas Burns, soprano Caitlin Wood, and bass Jonathon Adams perform with members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra
Seasonal standouts include a massive choral Messiah, and different takes on A Christmas Carol—including one with 10-foot-high puppets
Annual performance of beloved oratorio features soprano Caitlin Wood, alto Nicholas Burns, tenor Spencer Britten, and bass Jonathon Adams
Singers from the Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs unite with musicians in this annual performance of charming seasonal selections
At Mountain View Cemetery, musica intima and the Vancouver Bach Choir join forces with local brass players to perform a Phrase of Remembrance
Evening featuring Fauré’s Requiem and Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms offered moments of stunning beauty and clashing dissonance
With the participation of several local vocal ensembles, 200 singers will come together as one
Fauré’s hauntingly beautiful Requiem and Bernstein’s enchanting Chichester Psalms are on the intimate program conducted by Leslie Dala
Nine member choirs to perform seven concerts on 2024-25 lineup, including annual Christmas and Valentine’s Day shows and nature-inspired programs
Together, groups perform Niel Golden’s Hindustani-driven premiere, as well as Moshe Denburg’s Ani Ma-amin and Farshid Samandari’s Asheghaneh
Choral concert featuring contemporary world music will include works by Moshe Denburg, Farshid Samandari, and Niel Golden
The Audain Foundation’s presentation of the multimedia tribute to Jean-Paul Riopelle offered stunning visuals and stirring music in very big, very serious production
Choir to be joined by soloists Magali Simard-Galdès, Krisztina Szabó, Asitha Tennekoon, Neil Craighead, and members of the VSO
VSO musicians join concert featuring soprano Magali Simard-Galdès, mezzo-soprano Krisztina Szabó, tenor Asitha Tennekoon, and bass Neil Craighead
Conductor-pianist Leslie Dala and tenor Asitha Tennekoon perform a Valentine’s Day program with wine, chocolate, and optional charcuterie
Also on the program is another landmark piece, “Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet”
Piece that balances suffering and hope is inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale and Bach’s St. Matthew Passion
Giant choral celebration featuring the Orpheum Theatre’s historic Wurlitzer organ kicks off the holiday season
Coronation Mass and Nelson Mass were written barely two decades apart
Ensemble to perform pieces by Igor Stravinsky and Mike Oldfield respectively with Fringe Percussion and Bergmann Piano Duo
The annual departure into jazz and rock choral arrangements is a fun celebration of the season
On the concert program are Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells and Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms
Performance will feature singers from the organization’s talented youth choirs