KINDERGARTEN (5 YEARS OLD), GRADES 1 & 2
Each Piccolo group has approximately 18 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.
Please note: In keeping with health regulations and for everyone’s safety, Ms. Catherine will be offering live Zoom classes to Piccolos this Fall. Classes will consist of short, interactive music games covering simple music theory as well as exercises for vocal health and beautiful singing. Ms. Catherine will teach singers the songs found in their music folder, which they will receive at the beginning of term. As large gatherings and concerts are not possible at this time, Ms. Catherine would like to create a Piccolo holiday video. She hopes to have a few live recording sessions in November – provided that B.C. health numbers are good and it is permitted. The final video will be an audio recording of their best songs with visuals of the children’s artwork, posters, pictures and short video clips to be released in December.
CONDUCTOR: Catherine Campolin
PIANIST: Yihan Zhang
REHEARSALS
Our piccolo choirs have several different rehearsal sections to choose from, including two separate 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. Note that for 2020-21 we will beginning the season in a virtual format so rehearsal times may not be as shown below.
Tuesdays – 4:30-5:15 or 5:30-6:15
Pacific Spirit United Church (2195 W 45th Ave) in Kerrisdale
4:20-5:05pm ONLINE via Zoom
Wednesdays – 4:45-5:30
Sir Charles Tupper Secondary School (419 E 24th Ave)
4:50-5:35pm ONLINE via Zoom
Thursdays – 4:45-5:30 OR 5:30-6:15
Sir Charles Tupper Secondary School (419 E 24th Ave)
4:20-5:05pm ONLINE via Zoom
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
Singers for this level attend a vocal placement session in groups of up to six children. There is no need to prepare anything for this level. Sessions will include vocal and rhythmic exercises as well as some individual time at the piano with the conductor. These sessions last approximately 20-30 minutes. For Piccolos, this session is meant to be low pressure and a non-competitive audition process. It is as much an opportunity for your child to get to know us as it is a chance for us to meet your future singer.
*For 2020-21: due to COVID-19, all auditions will be conducted virtually for September 2020 entry into the choir. Auditions will be individual, accompanied by a parent and approximately 7 minutes long. There is nothing to prepare in advance- come ready to meet Miss Catherine and play a couple fun musical games! For more information contact us at vbcc.auditions@vancouverbachchoir.com.
CONCERT ATTIRE
PICCOLO BOYS
- 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
PICCOLO GIRLS
- grey jumpers (provided with deposit)
- 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 jewellery should be subtle so as not to distract during the performance