

WE’RE BACK!
We are very excited to announce that Pacific Spirit Children’s Choir will be returning this coming fall 2020! After sadly not being able to safely perform our Spring Concert last term due to COVID-19, and several months of uncertainty, we have successfully come up with what looks to be a very exciting year of IN-PERSON singing! No online rehearsals required!
REGISTRATION for the coming year is now OPEN! (click here to register) Upon registration, you will be contacted to arrange a time at our first Intake and Registration Day, on September 3rd (please see below).
At this stage, large gatherings of over 50 individuals (ie. concerts) are still too high a risk and are currently prohibited by BC health authorities. In light of this, we wanted to offer the other side of the musical lifestyle…the recording studio experience! Each ensemble will get the chance to record in small groups on professional-grade equipment in our beautiful church space, culminating in two album-length collections of songs (one in the Winter and one in the Spring) that they can treasure forever, and a great video compilation of the whole recording process! The rehearsal stages will now include new areas of learning such as microphone technique, basic equipment training, along with honing their already exceptional singing skills to make a beautiful work they can sure to be proud of.
***IMPORTANT*** In accordance with BC health regulations as enforced by the BCCDC and Work Safe, we have made some adjustments to the structure of our rehearsals to ensure maximum safety for singers, as well as the other members of West Vancouver United Church’s community. We acknowledge that parents and guardians are in a particularly precarious situation of wanting their children to be able to socialize and have fun while likely being quite anxious about the health concerns of the world. Please take a moment to read our COVID-19 safe rehearsals procedures and guidelines, as there are some big changes. We are happy to respond to any emailed questions or concerns you may have at office@pschildrenschoir.ca
PSCC COVID Safety Regulations & WVUC User Guidelines
We also acknowledge that there have been some concerns over the safety of singing as an activity in general. After spending considerable time observing studies, reports, and policies from around the world, we believe that the BCCDC’s established protocols for safely operating a choir as well as music classes are in accordance with the most up to date science and should ensure as safe as possible rehearsals. You can find specifics for both of these on the BCCDC website as well as the BC Music Teacher’s Association report, Guidance for Music Classes in BC – UPDATED
We will be holding our first ever Intake and Registration Day on Thursday, September 3rd. This day will be used to fill out any additional registration information and ensure the contact information we have on file for you and your singers is accurate, to pick up any sheet music for the term, provide post-dated payments for the term, and answer any questions you may have. You will receive a sign-up link upon registration for a 10-minute time slot (please keep attendance limited to a parent or guardian and the registered singer(s)). Weather permitting, this event will take place outside on the grounds of West Vancouver United Church. Application and use of physical distancing, masks and hand sanitizer will be expected. Details will be provided upon registration.
We are so looking forward to this year. After the loss of our last concert and a Springtime of such toil, having the chance to hear all of your beautiful voices making music again will be a wonderful relief to the soul. Thank you for your trust and we look forward to seeing many of you again soon!
Be Kind. Be Calm. Be Safe. <3
Important Update for our Choir Family…
Join the Pacific Spirit Children’s Choir at our Spring concert, “CÉILIDH”, where we are delighting in the folk music traditions and stories of the Celtic Isles, including Ireland, Scotland, and Wales! From Leprechauns and Fairies, brilliant sunrises and inspiring love stories, to rollicking celebrations of life’s wonders! All four PSCC choirs come together in this joyous evening of celebratory Celtic choral music!
April 25th, 2020 at 5:00 pm
West Vancouver United Church
2062 Esquimalt Avenue
Kiyomi Hori, Artistic Director; Eric Biskupski, Assistant Director
Bryn Wiley: Pianist
Dylan Lawry and Lena Adamson: student conductors
Tickets Available Online March 5th, 2020:
$20 Adult // $15 Student & Senior // $10 Youth (age 6-12)
8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1….days until choir begins again!
Friends, we’re excited to start singing again next Thursday with an exciting group of young singers. We’re getting ready to kick off a brand new year of music-making, learning, and fun with you all! Registration is still open and there are spaces available in all four choirs! **Arbutus choir is filling up FAST! Excess registrations will be waitlisted**
First rehearsals are on Thursday, September 12th at West Vancouver United Church. Please arrive early to get signed in, collect your music, and handle any first-day logistics! Kiyomi and Eric, alongside our wonderful rehearsal assistants, will be on hand to help everything go as smoothly as possible!
- Arbutus Choir (gr 1-2) 3:50-4:45 PM
- Cedar Choir (gr 3-4) 3:50 – 4:45 PM
- Fir Choir (gr 5-8) 4:50-5:50 PM
- Oak Youth Ensemble (gr 8 and up) 5:50-6:50 PM
Our winter concert this year will take place on Saturday, December 14th, 2019 at 6:00 PM and is titled “A Winter’s Night“. As is tradition, our Fir and Oak choirs will participate both in a Sunday morning service at the church on December 8th, 2019 as part of our thanks for WVUC’s generous donation of our concert and rehearsal space! They will both also participate in the joyous Choral Extravaganza! on Sunday, October 20th (3:00 performance) with four other choirs, and also the traditional Christmas Eve performance, “Christmas for Kids” on December 24th (4:00 performance). (Details for all performances will be updated on our Events page).
We can’t wait to sing with and see you all soon!
Kiyomi and Eric
The Pacific Spirit Children’s Choir is currently accepting early bird registration for all ages into our 4 choirs until the July 31st, 2019 deadline (fast approaching!).
Register now to guarantee your spot in the choir (grades 1-2 fill up quickly!) and save 10% on member fees! Don’t miss out!
Regular registration and enrollment will remain open all summer up until week 3 of the choir term (October 3rd, 2019).
Sign up now and invite your friends! 4 vibrant choirs for ages 6 through 19!
Changes and New Beginnings…
As we embark on a new year with new beginnings, the Pacific Spirit Children’s Choir family thanks Janelle Claudio for her incredible six years of dedication, skill, and unbridled joy that she has brought all of us in her time as Co-Director. She will be greatly missed by us all, but we wish her all of the happiness and success in her new endeavors. Thank you, Janelle!
The Pacific Spirit Children’s Choir is delighted to welcome Eric Biskupski to our choir family as the organizations new Assistant Director! Eric will be stepping into the leadership position, overseeing Arbutus Choir rehearsals and providing valuable insight and skills to Fir and Oak alongside current Director, Kiyomi Hori. Eric brings to us several years of singing and teaching experience in many styles, as well as his unmatched joy that we are so excited to have join us! Welcome, Eric, to the family! (See bio: Our Team)
Join the Pacific Spirit Children’s Choir for our 10th Anniversary spring concert; an uplifting evening of music about friendship, acceptance, and anti-bullying. Our selection of moving music and meaningful pop selections will be sure to have you tearing up and telling your neighbour “Thank You For Being A Friend!”
May 11th, 2019 at 5:00pm
West Vancouver United Church
2062 Esquimalt Avenue
Kiyomi Hori and Janelle Claudio: Artistic and Managing Directors
Bryn Wiley: Accompanist
Eric Biskupski and Lena Adamson: Guest Conductors
Tickets:
$15 Adult // $10 Youth (12 and under)
Join the Pacific Spirit Children’s Choir’s annual Christmas Carolong for a festive evening of music to get you in the holiday spirit! We’ll be singing all of the best, from classic carols to old favourites with a twist!
After the concert, please join us for a reception in the church hall to meet the artists, and enjoy some refreshments and socialization.
Sunday, December 2nd @ 5:00pm
West Vancouver United Church
2062 Esquimalt Ave.
Janelle Claudio and Kiyomi Hori: Artistic Directors
Bryn Wiley: Accompanist
Tickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3910961
$14 Adult // $8 Youth (12 and under)
OR at the door: $15 Adult // $10 Youth (12 and under)
Pre-Registration is now open for September!
Join us for Pacific Spirit Children’s Choir’s exciting 10-Year Anniversary season! The new term will begin on Thursday, September 13th, 2018, and we would love to see you there! Registration is now open to both new and returning members, and we are accepting singers in grades 1 through 12. Registration will be open until Thursday, October 4th.
Register for the 2017-2018 season here: REGISTER or contact Janelle and Kiyomi at office@pschildrenschoir.ca for more info.
Rehearsal dates and times:
Arbutus Choir Grades One and Two, ages 6-7: Thursday afternoons, 3:50-4:45 pm
Cedar Choir Grades 3 and 4, ages 8-9: Thursday afternoons, 3:50 to 4:45 pm
Fir Choir Grades 5 and up, ages 10 and up: Thursday afternoons, 4:50 to 5:50 pm
Oak Youth Choir Grades 8 and up, ages 13 and up: Thursday evenings, 5:50-6:50 pm
Join the Pacific Spirit Children’s Choir for an exciting evening of music, representing all of the elements through song. Our selection of uplifting and moving music will be sure to have you inspired to get outside and enjoy the best season in Vancouver – Spring!
After the concert, please join us for a reception in the church hall to meet the artists, and enjoy some refreshments and socialization.
Friday, April 27th @ 7:00pm
West Vancouver United Church
2062 Esquimalt Ave.
Janelle Claudio and Kiyomi Hori: Artistic Directors
Bryn Wiley: Accompanist
Tickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3401790
$14 Adult // $8 Youth (12 and under)