Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs
One of the largest symphonic choirs in Canada, Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs provides high-quality training in and performances of traditional and new choral works for all communities of all ages.
The Vancouver Bach Choir (VBC) gave its first concert at the Orpheum Theatre in December 1930. With eight choral ensembles, the Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs has gone on to become one of the largest choral groups in Metro Vancouver and the only organization to provide choral singing and education to nearly 500 voices from kindergarten to adulthood.
The adult program explores a vast range of repertoire from past to present with passion and commitment. Under the baton of Maestro Leslie Dala, the VBC continues its mission and tradition to share 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, the adult choir continues to meet its mandate of commissioning and performing works by Canadian composers, performing with numerous world-class musicians, and presenting the world’s favourite symphonic choral works.
The children’s program is one of the oldest and most established music-outreach programs in the Lower Mainland. Since 1984, the Vancouver Bach children’s program has developed a unique, multi-tiered platform that provides incredible choral training to more than 350 singers from kindergarten to young adulthood. Auditioned from across the Lower Mainland, its young singers experience the joy of making music in the company of other like-minded young musicians. Under the direction of music director Marisa Gaetanne (“Ms. G”), the program’s conductors are known for their consummate teaching skill and enthusiasm, challenging each singer artistically and fostering self-confidence that lasts a lifetime.
The Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs presents a series 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.
