Piccolo
GRADES 1 & 2
Each Piccolo group has approximately 15-20 singers. Rehearsals are 45 minutes long. Piccolos sing in the annual Christmas Concert (Orpheum Theatre) and the Summer concert (Chan Centre, UBC). In weekly rehearsals, the focus is on developing fine singing technique, solfege, ear training, the awareness of musical elements and concepts, as well as sensitive phrasing and musicality.
CONDUCTOR: Catherine Campolin
PIANIST: Rosanna lo
REHEARSALS
Our Piccolo choirs have several different rehearsal sections to choose from, including three locations. This helps us keep class sizes small and provide the best instruction. Singers choose one section to attend each week for the entire season.
Mondays – 3:45-4:30 or 4:45-5:30
St. Anselm’s Anglican Church (5210 University Blvd) near UBC
Tuesdays – 4:30-5:15 or 5:30-6:15
Pacific Spirit United Church (2195 W 45th Ave) in Kerrisdale
Thursdays – 5:00-5:45
First Christian Reformed Church (2670 Victoria Dr) in East Vancouver
PLEASE NOTE: We try our best to accommodate requests for specific rehearsal venue and times, however we also need to balance our choirs in terms of enrollment numbers and vocal considerations. We appreciate your understanding!
AUDITIONS AND REGISTRATION
Piccolo singers may now register straight away for their class of choice without a prior audition. New singers will be invited to attend a friendly group audition session before the season begins, to meet Ms. Catherine and feel best prepared for the season ahead. There is no need to prepare anything – sessions will last apporoximately 20 minutes and include musical games, vocal and rhythmic exercises in a warm, inclusive and friendly environment.
CONCERT ATTIRE
PICCOLO OPTION 1
- grey jumpers (provided by VBCC)
- long-sleeved plain red shirts (any collar is fine)
- white tights (full length, solid white, not sheer. Cotton or nylon is ok. Should not be shiny or patterned.)
- black shoes
- any necessary hair clips/elastics should match hair
- hair should be neat and off of your face
- any jewelry should be subtle so as not to distract during the performance
PICCOLO OPTION 2
- grey pants
- long-sleeved plain red shirts (any collar is fine)
- black socks
- black shoes
- any necessary hair clips/elastics should match hair
- hair should be neat and off of your face
Tuition for 2026-27
| Choir | Early Bird Tuition until June 30, 2026 | Regular Tuition after June 30, 2026 | $50 Fundraising Commitment (donation/raffle) | $72 Admin Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piccolini | $542 | $562 | $50 | $72 |
| Piccolo | $577 | $597 | $50 | $72 |
| Toccata | $639 | $659 | $50 | $72 |
| Partita | $690 | $710 | $50 | $72 |
| Chorale | $690 | $710 | $50 | $72 |
| Chorus | $722 | $742 | $50 | $72 |
- Society Membership fee: $40.00
- Registration fee: $30.00
- Fundraising commitment: $50.00 (more details in the registration form)
- GST: $2.00
- Single payment by cheque, credit card, or e-transfer.
- Monthly payment by credit card instalments or post-dated cheques, set up upon registration.
Financial Assistance
Financial assistance providing up to 90% of the tuition is available. Bursaries do not cover fundraising commitments, membership fees, and administration fees.
Withdrawal Policy:
Withdrawals within the first month of the season will receive a full pro-rated refund. Singers may withdraw at any time during the season. However, if a withdrawal is made after registration has been submitted, the $122 processing fee (which includes membership and administrative fees, GST, and fundraising commitments) is non-refundable.
Choir fees may be refunded on a prorated basis based on the number of classes attended between October and January (less the non-refundable admin and fundraising fees). Withdrawals made from February onward are not eligible for any refund.
Late Fees:
Payments that are not set-up or paid within 2 weeks of registration are subject to a $20 late charge per month.
Hot parenting tip: My girls are literally never happier/more effusive/more cooperative than after their weekly choir practice. Seriously, the younger one comes out bubbling, and the older two tumble out of that practice hall singing harmony in Latin as if they were a couple of sorority sisters after a long night at the Pit Pub and then regale me with Tales from the Second Soprano Section the whole way home. Makes a singing mama proud. Also makes me miss singing in a choir… Thank you Vancouver Bach Children’s Chorus and Youth Choirs for helping us raise a new generation of choir geeks!
Lilac Bosma Hawkey
parent of 3 members of the VBCC