2017/2018 SEASON vancouverbachchoir.com
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CHRISTMAS WITH THE BACH CHOIR
Sunday December 3, 2017 at 2pm I ORPHEUM THEATRE
HANDEL’S MESSIAH
Saturday December 9, 2017 at 8pm I ORPHEUM THEATRE
MAHLER SYMPHONY NO. 8
Saturday February 17, 2018 at 8pm I ORPHEUM THEATRE
ORCHID ENSEMBLE
Friday May 4, 2018 at 8pm I ST. ANDREW’S-WESLEY UNITED CHURCH
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BEHIND THE KEYS
Saturday January 13, 2018 at 8pm I VANCOUVER PLAYHOUSE
SUMMER SING!
Sunday May 27, 2018 at 2pm I CHAN CENTRE
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We are proud to welcome you to our 87th Season with the Vancouver Bach Choir and our 33rd year of Children’s Choirs. This year, we take time to value the power music has to bring us together through timeless stories and themes of love, family, peace, and joy. Our upcoming season maintains our tradition of presenting Western music’s great choral masterpieces, as well as new and exciting commissions and collaborations. We begin with our beloved and popular holiday classics, Christmas with the Bach Choir and Handel’s Messiah. Other season highlights include a synthesis of Western and Eastern musical traditions with the Orchid Ensemble and Mahler’s lush Symphony No. 8. You won’t want to miss a unique and intimate recital featuring renowned tenor, Benjamin Butterfield. Our children’s choir also continues its programming of educational and performing excellence. You can hear us alongside the adult choir for our annual Christmas show as well as Mahler’s 8th Symphony and join us for our very own spring concerts and numerous community appearances. We hope you’ll join us in the coming season to experience firsthand the powerful stories this music has to share. Leslie Dala and Marisa Gaetanne Music Directors of the Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs
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CHRISTMAS WITH THE BACH CHOIR Sunday December 3, 2017 at 2pm I ORPHEUM THEATRE “Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we.” Our annual holiday tradition returns to gather the entire Bach Choir family to sing in the season. Hear treasured holiday traditions sung by everyone from our tiny Piccolos (age 5 years) to the celebrated adult choir. You’ll also have the chance to add your own voice to beloved carols and experience the thrill of singing along with 400 singers, the famous Orpheum Theatre organ and A Touch of Brass ensemble. This year’s event features a chance to hear our Chorus group (ages 12-17) perform the complete “Dancing Day” by John Rutter, a staple of the repertoire for children’s and women’s choirs. Capped off by the traditional singing of “O Holy night” by all members of the choir, you’re sure to leave this event with an uplifted spirit filled with holiday cheer.
Did you know? The Bach choir has presented a holiday concert at the Orpheum every December since 1930.
Leslie Dala, Marisa Gaetanne I Music Directors Featuring I Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs Ellen Ay-Laung Wang I Organ A Touch of Brass
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HANDEL’S
MESSIAH
Saturday December 9, 2017 at 8pm I ORPHEUM THEATRE “Lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid” What holiday season would be complete without a performance of Handel’s iconic Messiah? A perennial favourite for audiences and performers alike, the magnificent Orpheum Theatre sets the stage for this grand work as the Bach Choir is joined by a cast of all Canadian soloists and members of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Handel’s Messiah is a timeless reminder of the deep power of human connection and kindness. Whether you are a first time listener or seasoned Messiah attendee, its captivating melodies and impassioned fugues never cease to inspire.
Did you know? The Messiah was premiered in Dublin, Ireland as part of a concert to benefit local jails and hospitals.
Leslie Dala I Conductor Featuring I Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Melanie Krueger I Soprano Emma Parkinson I Mezzo soprano Isaiah Bell I Tenor Gregory Dahl I Baritone
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MAHLER
SYMPHONY NO. 8 Saturday February 17, 2018 at 8pm I ORPHEUM THEATRE “Light the light of our senses, pour love into our hearts.” Written “as if in a fever” over the course of a summer, the 8th Symphony represents a pinnacle of Mahler’s talents, drawn together by the theme of the transformative and unifying power of love. This is a wholly unique work; a true choral symphony. But perhaps it is best to let Mahler describe his own work. “Think, in the last three weeks I have completed the sketches of an entirely new symphony … I have never written anything like it. Nor do I think that I have ever worked under such a feeling of compulsion; it was like a lightning vision…Hitherto I have always used words and voices simply in an explanatory way…Here, on the other hand, voices are also used as instruments: a ‘pure’ symphony in which the most beautiful instrument in the world is given its true place – and not simply as one sonority among others, for in my symphony the human voice is after all the bearer of the whole poetic idea.” Joined by the West Coast Symphony, the Vancouver Bach Children’s Chorus and a complement of local soloists, this promises to be an unforgettable evening.
Did you know? Symphony No. 8 is often dubbed the “Symphony
of a Thousand,” although it is rarely performed with so many participants. Our performance will feature around 250 musicians ranging in age from 11-80.
Leslie Dala I Conductor Featuring I West Coast Symphony Members of the Vancouver Bach Children’s Chorus Robyn Driedger-Klassen I soprano Melanie Krueger I soprano Sarah Templeton I soprano Emma Parkinson I mezzo-soprano Leah Giselle Field I mezzo-soprano Martin Sadd I tenor Kevin Armstrong I baritone Peter Monaghan I bass-baritone vancouverbachchoir.com I 2017/2018 SEASON
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VBC MEETS
ORCHID ENSEMBLE Friday May 4, 2018 at 8pm I ST. ANDREW’S-WESLEY UNITED CHURCH “Orchid Ensemble defines the very essence of Canadian music” – Whole Note Established in 1997, the JUNO nominated Orchid Ensemble blends ancient musical instruments and traditions from China and beyond, creating a beautiful new sound. The Orchid Ensemble regularly collaborates with artists from various backgrounds. At the same time, it commissions new works from Canadian and US composers to create a contemporary repertoire. Its annual productions have evolved to integrate music with multimedia, dance and scenographic installation. The Bach Choir joins the Orchid Ensemble for an intensive residency culminating in a performance at the beautiful St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church. This concert will feature a distinctive blend of eastern instruments and musical styles with the western choral tradition, for a literal coming together of worlds. A unique soundscape that promises something new and exciting to the listener.
Did you know? This concert will also feature a world premiere of a commissioned work by Vancouver composer Rodney Sharman.
Kathleen Allan I Conductor Featuring I Orchid Ensemble
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BEHIND THE KEYS VBC'S ANNUAL FUNDRAISER!
Saturday January 13, 2018 at 8pm I VANCOUVER PLAYHOUSE Back by popular demand, our annual fundraiser finds a new home at the Vancouver Playhouse. Join our maestro, Leslie Dala, “behind the keys” for an intimate evening of song and solo piano. This year we are pleased to welcome a very special guest, tenor, Benjamin Butterfield. Praised for his “clarion and vibrant voice,” Ben is a thoughtful, engaging and charismatic performer who is known equally for his sensitivity and humour on stage. You won’t want to miss the chance to see these two performers up close as they dazzle you with musical virtuosity and storytelling.
Did you know? Behind the Keys is not just a great concert, but also our main fundraiser for each season. Proceeds go towards the continuation of our rich choral programming.
Featuring I Benjamin Butterfield I Tenor Maestro Leslie Dala I Piano
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SUMMER SING! Sunday May 27, 2018 at 2pm I CHAN CENTRE Each May, we celebrate a year of hard work and choral education in a grand finale featuring all eight of our choirs onstage at the Chan Centre. Our children’s choirs work hard all year and what better way to show off their talents than a showcase in the beautiful acoustics of the Chan? We also welcome the adult choir on stage with us and end the season as we began; as a family, singing together. This year’s concert will celebrate, in part, the 100th anniversary of Leonard Bernstein’s birth. A musical figure with a far-reaching influence, Bernstein’s music is instantly recognizable and filled with beauty, humour and the cultural eclecticism of the Americas. Other works will feature composers influenced by Bernstein and the rich flavour of musical traditions from across the Americas.
Did you know? Each year we host nearly 500 hours of rehearsals for our eight different choirs spread over three locations and 14 different weekly sessions.
Marisa Gaetanne, Leslie Dala I Music Directors Featuring I The Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs
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CONCERTS IN THE COMMUNITY Each year, our choirs head out into Metro Vancouver to share their song with local communities and musical organizations. Visit vancouverbachchoir.com for more details. Sunday September 10, 2017 I 2pm Beethoven 9th Symphony at the Chan Centre with the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra. Wednesday October 18, 2017 I 7pm Special Event - “Cabaret” at Heritage Hall Saturday November 11, 2017 I 10am Sarabande and Youth Choir Sing at City of Vancouver Remembrance Day Ceremony Sunday November 12, 2017 I 2pm Verdi Requiem with VAMSO Saturday November 18, 2017 I 2pm Toccatas Sing at Oakridge Sunday November 19, 2017 I 11am - 3pm Children’s Choirs at Christmas at Hycroft Tuesday March 13, 2018 I 7pm Spring Song with Vancouver Bach Children’s Choirs Dunbar Ryerson United Church Thursday March 15, 2018 I 7:30pm Spring Concert with Youth Choir and Sarabande Dunbar Ryerson United Church
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SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE! Subscriber Benefits & Prices PRIORITY SEATING: Subscribers enjoy early access to the best seats in the house! ADDITIONAL TICKETS: Subscribers receive a 10% discount on additional tickets. FREE EXCHANGES: Subscribers can exchange tickets without incurring an
exchange fee.
SUBSCRIBE TODAY AND SAVE UP TO 20% OFF SINGLE TICKETS! ALL 4 SHOWS Dress Zone A Zone B Zone C
3 SHOWS
$ 208 Dress $ 166 $ 160 Zone A $ 125 $ 125 Zone B $ 100 $ 93 Zone C $ 74
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE: Online at vancouverbachchoir.com In Person at the Chan Centre Box Office Chan Centre Ticket Office 6265 Crescent Road, UBC Tue-Sat 12-5pm By Phone 604 822 2697 (subject to a $2.50 per order phone fee)
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A TICKET FOR EVERYONE We strive to offer tickets for all ages and financial backgrounds.
YOUTH AND UNDER 35 Those audience members aged 18-35 are eligible for rush tickets at a rate of $20. These will go on sale 2 weeks before concert dates. Contact us at info@vancouverbachchoir.com to be added to our mailing list and be alerted of sale dates. All audience members under 18 are now eligible for $20 tickets to all concerts. Come and enjoy a live performance for little more than the price of a movie.
SENIORS Seniors are also eligible for discounted single tickets. Visit vancouverbachchoir.com/tickets for more information. Are you a member of our society? Then you are also eligible for exclusive ticket discounts.
SINGLE TICKETS Single tickets go on sale September 1st. Be sure to join our mailing list to stay up to the date with important news.
VBC CHORAL COMPOSITION CONTEST The Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs is pleased to announce the launch of a new Choral Composition Contest which will run annually, beginning with the 2017/18 season. Submissions are called for from unpublished Canadian composers as of July 2017 with a deadline for receipt of submissions of March 1st 2018. The winner will receive the VBC Choral Composition Prize, in the amount of $2,000, and the work will receive a public performance at our “Christmas with the Bach Choir” concert in early December 2018. The piece should therefore be “seasonal” to the time of year, not necessarily sacred. The VBC Music Director and a small jury will review the applications and declare one winner. See our website, vancouverbachchoir.com for full details and an entry form.
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SUPPORT US In addition to becoming a season subscriber, there are many ways to support the activities of the Vancouver Bach Choir. No gift is too small and we would not be able to maintain our standard of excellence without your ongoing support. As a registered charity, donations make up a large portion of our annual operating expenses and are tax deductible.
BECOME A SOCIETY MEMBER Membership to the Vancouver Bach Choir Society starts at $40 and offers you benefits such as discounted tickets to VBC concerts and at partner organizations. You’ll also have the opportunity to vote at our AGM and help guide the future of the Bach Choir.
DONATE Become a donor with a single gift or why not consider a recurring donation? Donations are tax deductible and donors will also be eligible for exclusive benefits like access to rehearsals and visit backstage at concerts.
SPONSORSHIP Are you a business owner? Sponsoring a concert or a guest artist is a gift that helps the choir and audience members alike.
MATCHING GIFTS Many larger companies offer corporate matching programs to help your gift go even further. Check our website or talk to your HR department to see if your company is eligible. For more details on all opportunities visit our website at vancouverbachchoir.com/support-us.
The Vancouver Bach Choir gratefully acknowledges the continued support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Province of British Columbia through the British Columbia Arts Council, Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch, Government of British Columbia and the City of Vancouver; The Loyal Protestant Association, Christopher Foundation, The Martha Lou Henley Charitable Foundation.
304 – 3102 Main Street Vancouver BC V5T 3G7 T: 604 872 8789 info@vancouverbachchoir.com vancouverbachchoir.com
ILLUSTRATIONS: LYDIA AVSEC / COPILOT DESIGN
2017/2018 SEASON