Welcome to the PSCC family! Pacific Spirit Children’s Choir is delighted to offer three vibrant ensembles for the young singers/musicians in your life! Arbutus Choir, Fir Choir, and the Oak Youth Ensemble.
Established in 2009 by conductor emeritus, Gerry Van Wyck, Pacific Spirit Children’s Choir is West Vancouver’s foremost choral programme designed exclusively for children and teenagers. Here, we have fostered a vibrant singing community that not only instills the joys of music and camaraderie but also imparts lasting musical skills. In 2024, PSCC enters its 16th year under the adept leadership of Artistic Director and Executive Director, Kiyomi Hori, who has been an integral part of our organization since 2016, taking the helm as Artistic Director in 2017. With three distinct choir ensembles, spanning ages from 5 to 19, Pacific Spirit Children’s Choir offers a unique opportunity for youngsters to grow within our musical family, continually expanding their talents and embracing a rich and diverse repertoire across various musical genres.
As we enter the 2024-2025 season, Pacific Spirit Children’s Choir is excited to continue to develop and grow on our community, bringing choral music excellence to the young voices of the North Shore!
Whether you’re a budding singer or know someone who is, we welcome all voices, aged 5-19, to join us this spring. Registration is now open, regardless of your prior experience. Explore further and enroll today at pschildrenschoir.ca/register, and let’s create harmonious melodies together – we can’t wait to sing with you!
***Please note that class times may differ from previous years and are subject to changes***
Arbutus Choir: Our beginner choir – Level 1
Directed by Julia Copeman-Haynes.
- For passionate and enthusiastic young singers who are in grades 1 to 2.
- Focuses on developing healthy and beautiful singing voices, as well as basic sight-reading and solfege training.
- Sings primarily unison repertoire, in a variety of styles.
- No previous experience is required.
- Rehearse Thursdays from 4:00-5:00 PM at West Vancouver United Church.
- Annual Tuition: $550.00 (view fee schedule)
- Financial Aid and payment plans available.
- Spring Retreat: TBA
Cedar Choir: Our beginner choir – Level 2
Directed by Kiyomi Hori.
Temporarily operating as a part of Arbutus Choir, directed by Julia Copeman-Haynes.
- For passionate and enthusiastic young singers in grade 3 to 4.
- Continued practice of healthy choral singing, and sight-reading skills.
- Sings both unison and 2-part repertoire, developing harmony skills, in a variety of fun and challenging styles.
- No previous experience is required.
- Rehearse Thursdays from 4:00-5:00 pm at West Vancouver United Church.
- Annual Tuition: $550.00 (view fee schedule)
- Financial Aid and payment plans available.
- Spring Retreat: TBA
Fir Choir: Our intermediate choir ensemble – Level 3
Directed by Kiyomi Hori.
- For passionate and enthusiastic young singers in grades 5 through 7
- Exposure to a wide variety of unison, 2-part, and 3-part repertoire, from musical theatre to classical, and pop to folk.
- Developing a strong sense of ensemble and community, while creating challenging and exciting music.
- No previous experience is required.
- Rehearse Thursdays from 5:15-6:15 PM at West Vancouver United Church.
- Annual Tuition: $600.00 (view fee schedule)
- Financial Aid and payment plans available.
- Fall Retreat: Saturday, September 21, 2024
- Spring Retreat: TBA
Oak Youth Ensemble: Our senior choral ensemble for advanced singers – Level 4
Directed by Kiyomi Hori; Assistant Directed by Julia Copeman-Haynes.
- For passionate and enthusiastic young singers in grades 8 through 12+
- Focuses on challenging, eclectic, and vibrant 2 to 4 part repertoire, for soprano, alto, tenor, and bass/baritone voices. (Exact make-up of voice combinations dependant on enrolment).
- Some experience recommended, but not required.
- Rehearse Thursdays from 6:30-7:45 PM at West Vancouver United Church.
- Annual Tuition: $625.00 (view fee schedule)
- Financial Aid and payment plans available.
- Fall Retreat: Saturday, September 21, 2024
- Spring Retreat: TBA
All singers who register for any of our choirs will be asked to attend a placement interview each year. The assessment is not an audition, but a a chance for us to meet you (if you’re new!) and an opportunity for us to get to hear your voice on it’s own!
Fee Schedule:
Click here to view fee schedule for 2024/25: Fee Schedule & Financial Information 24/25
- Families with multiple singers in PSCC ensembles receive a 10% discount on annual tuition fees.
Financial Assistance
PSCC offers bursary awards for families who need assistance with affording our programming. We also offer flexible payment plans to help spread out the cost. At anytime during the season, should a family experience a change in their personal situation and would benefit from financial assistance, please contact us.
The financial award application can be found here. Financial Aid Application 24/25
- Any financial aid applications must be submitted by no later than September 12, 2024. Mid-season registration for January-May, must be arranged /submitted by January 9, 2024.