Vancouver Bach Choir to Perform at The Orpheum, 12/7

Vancouver Bach Choir heralds the festive season with the return of its annual tradition: Christmas with the Bach Choir - Dec. 7, 2014, 2pm at The Orpheum. This extraordinary concert brings together the entire expanse of the acclaimed Vancouver Bach Choir organization from the tiny Piccolo Choir (ages 5-7) to the esteemed Adult Choir in a heartwarming afternoon of treasured carols and captivating seasonal works.

The performance also honours the 30th anniversary of the Vancouver Bach Children's Chorus & Youth Choirs (VBCC/YC) program. The occasion will be celebrated at the concert with the premiere of a newly commissioned work written by former VBCC/YC conductor Kathleen Allan. A special guest appearance will also be made by founding VBCC/YC Music Director, Bruce Pullan, who will lead the singers through Allan's new piece.

"Christmas with the Bach Choir is a fitting occasion to acknowledge and celebrate 30 incredible years of the Vancouver Bach Children's Chorus and Youth Choirs program," said Leslie Dala, Music Director of the Vancouver Bach Choir. "A remarkable organizational tradition, this concert suitably inspires reflection - both through the rare chance to hear and see the impressive, full spectrum of VBC choral talent - as well as through the naturally contemplative spirit of this special time of year."

The program for Christmas with the Bach Choir features works that span early song and modern song, including some brilliant new arrangements such as Shane Raman's Do You Hear What I Hear? In addition, rousing audience sing-alongs of all-time favourite carols such as Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, are sprinkled throughout the performance.

Audiences will be delighted by the sounds of more than 400 glorious voices filling the breathtaking Orpheum Theatre. The Vancouver Bach Choir family consists of its award-winning symphonic Adult Choir as well as an impressive array of choral programs for all age groups - Piccolo (Kindergarten - Grade 2), Toccata (Grades 3 & 4), Chorales (Grades 5 - 8), Chorus (Grades 6 - 10), Youth Choir (Grades 11 and up), and Sarabande (chamber choir of young adults).

The Vancouver Bach Children's Chorus was established in 1984 to provide a high-quality choral education opportunity for children. For this concert, VBCC/YC Artistic Director and long-time affiliate, Marisa Gaetanne, as well as conductors Paula Kremer, Stephanie Olson, and Catherine Campolin, direct the current 330 young singers of the various ensembles through delightful holiday music.

Vancouver Bach Choir Music Director, Leslie Dala concludes the program by leading the Adult Choir in stirring works by two English composers, John Rutter's Good Ale and Jonathan Dove's Ring Out, Wild Bells. The singers are joined on stage by numerous local guest artists including organist Ellen Ay-Laung Wang and brass quintet, A Touch of Brass.