If she is in Grades 1 to 7, she does not need any previous, formal vocal training to belong to our choir. We will provide your daughter with all the information and training she needs to become a confident singer.
VOX ANGELICA for grades 1-3: We teach singers everything they need to know to participate - no previous experience required! All we ask is for our singers to try their best and enjoy learning.
Yes, we are an auditioned choir. At the audition (we call it a ‘vocal assessment’ for the youngest girls), we will make sure that your daughter’s voice is healthy and has the potential to grow. Auditions take 30 to 45 minutes overall, including an information session for parents and the actual vocal audition. Parents may watch the audition, if this will help the singer feel more comfortable.
Depending on the time of year, we can arrange for your daughter to observe or participate in a free trial rehearsal. She can get a real feel for what weekly rehearsals are like; then you can determine if our choir is a good fit for your family. The best times to join are in September at the start of our fall term, or in January at the start of our winter/spring term.
Yes, we pride ourselves on our appearance! For rehearsals, we require the girls to wear a BC Girls Choir t-shirt, along with comfortable clothing and regulation footwear. For performances, we have a casual and formal uniform.
Required Personal Purchases:
Choral music and language acquisition go hand in hand! What we have found is that girls who are learning French in an immersion program at school actually accelerate their language skills in English when they sing in our choir. Our rehearsals are run in English, and in our beginning choir level, most of the songs are in English.
The nurturing atmosphere of our rehearsals supports shy girls, as they are encouraged to fulfill their potential. Singing in a group is the perfect way for young girls who want to perform, but are not ready to step forward in a more soloistic role.
“When I first came to the BC Girls Choir, I was a shy, scared little girl, who was too afraid to share her voice with anyone. After six years with this amazing group, I can sing with confidence and I know I’ll never forget the amazing trips, and the wonderful friends that I’ve met along the way.” Jessica Cumming, BCGC alumna
While choir is a team activity in which each singer learns the important skills of cooperation, group accountability and leadership, there are opportunities for girls to sing in small ensembles and perform solos. We will never push a singer to do a solo if she is not ready. At the same time, we will offer the opportunity to exceptionally competent singers to step forward. Some of our senior singers (who have been with the choir for over ten years!) have sung solos for large audiences around the world!
To produce the highest possible quality of performance, we ask our singers and families to commit to all weekly rehearsals, concerts and other choir events for a full year. Yes, it is a big commitment and we do have a strict attendance policy - that is one reason why we are considered one of the top girls choirs in the world! You could compare our choir to a high-level rep sports team.
Time commitment:
We ask all new choristers to make a one-year commitment and we expect full attendance at all rehearsals and concerts. Attendance and commitment are essential to maintain the standard of excellence for which we are known. Think of the British Columbia Girls Choir as you would a rep or high-level sports team; every member plays an integral part in the success of the whole team! A calendar is issued in September for the entire year so that families may plan ahead.
The British Columbia Girls Choir is a charitable society. Program fees cover a portion of the funds needed to provide quality musical experiences and performance opportunities for your daughter. Your program fee payments help to cover a portion of the following:
We sing in a wide variety of styles and languages each year; this is music that will appeal to choristers and audiences alike. The repertoire is chosen to help build the singers’ vocal, musical and linguistic skills. Our repertoire includes classical, folk songs, jazz standards, show tunes, spirituals, pop, commissioned works, and the list goes on. To get a good idea of our music, check out our YouTube channel.
We rehearse in Coquitlam, the epicenter of Metro Vancouver. This location affords most families a carefree commute to rehearsal on Saturdays.
We do not publish the location on the website for security reasons.
Our age-related graduated system of choir levels provides each singer with the opportunity to feel comfortable in rehearsal, to be challenged, to learn new ideas and yet not feel overwhelmed. Occasionally, due to a singer’s skill and level of musical experience, she may be placed in a choir level that is outside the grade guidelines listed below. Singer placement and advancement is at the sole discretion of the Artistic Director.
We have a lot to offer your daughter! In short, our program teaches vocal excellence, as we create a wide variety of extraordinary and challenging music in a fun environment. Our singers learn the value of teamwork and discipline while forming lifelong friendships in a nurturing and close-knit community. If your daughter wants to learn to sing well, perform in numerous concerts and events every year, and even tour the world when she gets to be in Grade 8, then she has come to the right place!
Of course! We have main season concerts every December and June that showcase all the choir levels. There are also additional performances depending on your daughter’s choir level. These may include festivals, guest appearances, community events, educational outreach, and charitable events. Parents are given the entire season's calendar at the beginning of September, so that they can plan for and ensure that other activities will not conflict with choir performances.
Every two to three years, our Bella Voce Tour Choir members (grades 8 to 12) are invited to participate in national and international tours. Going on tour gives our choristers first-rate performance opportunities, changes their lives by exposing them to different cultures, and allows them to form global friendships. Tours are 1-3 weeks long and are usually in either July or August.