By Tabitha Brasso-Ernst (Brand Engagement & Communications Coordinator) for Bachstage Pass
This Halloween night, the walls of Vancouver Opera’s Martha Lou Henley Rehearsal Hall will buzz with choral energy as Sarabande, the advanced adult chamber ensemble of the Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs, takes the stage for Masquerade — a collaboration with Vancouver Opera’s VOICES free concert series, generously supported by TD Canada Trust.
Under the baton of Shane Raman, Sarabande invites audiences into a shimmering, spooky world where classical meets contemporary — where Mozart converses with Sia, and Andrew Lloyd Webber shares the spotlight with modern protest music.
“I want to create performances that I would want to attend. And because I’m a choral nerd, I’ll go to anything — but I love when an event encompasses classical music, pop, musical theatre, and folk. It’s about showing how vocal music can hold all of it.”
Shane Raman conducting Sarabande at Guilt & Co. Photo courtesy of Diamond’s Edge Photography.
Finding Harmony Early
Shane’s path to the podium began long before his conducting debut. “My dad is a pastor,” he recalls, “and I kind of sang in choirs since I was a little kid. I learned how to harmonize without realizing it. I just became fascinated by what a bunch of voices can do together.”
That early curiosity evolved into a lifelong vocation — and, eventually, a calling to build community through sound. “I’m definitely extroverted,” he shares. “I love being with people, having a big group of friends, and then having your big group of friends put on a show. It’s the best kid dream ever.”
Photo courtesy of Shane Raman and Diamond’s Edge Photography.
From Composer to Conductor
While known for his warm, vibrant conducting style, Shane’s creative heart lies equally in composition. “I started writing as a teen,” he says. “At first, it was just trying to express myself. And a lot of my compositions came from the choirs I was singing with — someone would say, ‘We need something upbeat for the Christmas concert,’ and I’d go, ‘Okay, I’ll whip that up.’”
He smiles at the thought of his next chapter. “After 20+ years in music, I’m being intentional now. I think the next stage of my career is really going to be about composition.”
That creative drive will be on display at Masquerade, where Sarabande will premiere his newest work, Damn These Atrocities, a raw choral statement on the state of the world.
“I wrote this piece thinking, ‘I hate what’s happening, and I want change.’ It doesn’t resolve — it just sits in that discomfort. Part of me wishes it never had to be performed, but here we are. Maybe art’s job is to hold the tension.”
Photo courtesy of Shane Raman.
Redefining Choral Culture
In rehearsals, Shane is as much facilitator as leader. “With Sarabande, I feel like I’m conducting a group of my peers,” he explains. “If I’m struggling with a tempo change, I’ll say, ‘Let’s try a few options — what works best for you?’ It’s collaborative. It’s a bit of an educational space too.”
He’s passionate about shifting the narrative of what “choral excellence” means. “I was used to being in high-level groups where the goal was perfection,” he says. “Now, for me, it’s about creating safe, inclusive spaces where people can make music joyfully — and make mistakes safely. Singing in community has taken on a different goal.”
“Having a diverse choir creates the safe space,” he adds. “It’s the presence of all of us that changes the culture. Programming works by composers from marginalized communities makes the art richer and the community wider.”
Sarabande performing at Guilt & Co. Photo courtesy of Diamond’s Edge Photography.
Masquerade Magic
Masquerade promises to blur genres and celebrate individuality. The program pairs Mozart’s Dies Irae and Urmas Sisask’s Confitemini with pop and musical-theatre hits like “Chandelier,” “Unholy,” and “The Ballad of the Witches’ Road.”
“We’re still in our Wicked era,” he laughs. “You have to have a little Sondheim, a little Andrew Lloyd Webber. And because it’s Halloween, we can spook it up. It’s late-night — 9 p.m. — so the singers with kids can trick-or-treat first and then come sing their show.”
Guests are encouraged to arrive in masquerade attire, enjoy the cash bar, and settle in for an evening that’s part concert, part immersive experience. Admission is free with advance reservation, but seats are limited — a testament to how quickly word spreads about Sarabande’s fan-favourite concerts.
Photo courtesy of Shane Raman and Anna Anaka.
Teaching with Heart
Beyond the stage, Shane continues to shape young voices as an educator at the Sarah McLachlan School of Music, a barrier-free, non-profit program providing free music instruction to children and youth who might otherwise lack access to arts education.
Founded by singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan and formalized in 2011, the school now serves over 1,100 students annually across Vancouver, New Westminster, and Edmonton. Its mission is to foster creativity, resilience, and belonging through music — values that align seamlessly with Shane’s own approach to choral community.
“It’s about creating good citizenship through music,” he says. “The program’s taught me as much as I teach the students — about how music can be a balm for the parts of life that aren’t so lovely.”
Sarabande’s Legacy
Founded as part of the Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs, Sarabande is the organization’s advanced adult chamber ensemble — a group known for its agility across genres and its warmth in performance. Conducted by Shane Raman and accompanied by pianist Shifra Day, the ensemble represents the creative core of the Bach Choir’s evolving identity: inclusive, experimental, and deeply rooted in Vancouver’s musical fabric.
Through his music, teaching, and leadership, Shane is reminding Vancouver’s choral community that excellence is not the absence of imperfection — it’s the courage to sing together in community.
Event Details
Venue: Vancouver Opera, 1955 McLean Dr, Vancouver
Doors: 8:30 p.m. | Concert: 9:00 p.m.
Masquerade attire encouraged
Donations welcome
Cash bar
Free tickets (required in advance) HERE