The Vancouver Youth Choir is set to present its largest concert ever this weekend at the Orpheum Theatre, bringing together 600 young singers for a season finale titled Village. The performance will feature vocalists aged eight to 24 singing in multiple languages, with special guest folk singer and activist Luke Wallace.
A Milestone Concert
Fresh from the VYC touring choir winning the Fleischmann Trophy at the Cork International Choral Festival in Ireland, founder and artistic director Carrie Tennant says the young vocalists are more excited than ever. The concert will include the premiere of four new works and arrangements.
Growth and Inclusion
Since forming in 2013 with 30 teens, VYC has grown to 725 singers in 16 ensembles ranging from ages five to 24. Tennant emphasizes the organization's commitment to inclusivity and artistic excellence. Every singer receives subsidized tuition, with bursary support available.
"We started in 2013 with 30 teens and today we have 725 singers in 16 different ensembles," Tennant said. "It's been a lot of hard work to build an organization that is really inclusive and a space for belonging, but also a place for these talented kids to pursue artistic excellence."
International Recognition
Tennant herself received the McCurtain and McSwiney Memorial Trophy for her conducting at the international competition. VYC tours internationally each year, with past destinations including South Korea and Istanbul. "We can take Canadian repertoire on the road and represent the amazing work coming out of our composers to the rest of the world," she said.
New Works and Diverse Languages
Among the new Canadian works premiering is Wallace's Be the Arc. The program also includes Shenhaye Saheli (Sea of Yearning), a Persian hit by Googoosh, and Tipatshimun by Innu composer and VYC alumnus Alex Vollant. In total, a dozen languages will be sung, all representing native tongues of choir members.
"We consciously try to program music that reflects the cultures and languages of our members," Tennant said. "Getting exposed to everything from Mandarin to Gaelic and Cree from age five on through is a huge boon for the members."
Personal Stories
Meruert Bestbay, a soprano section leader who has been a member for nine years, describes VYC as a second home. "I grew up in the choir through high school and now I'm in university. They have been with me through a lot of life situations," she said.
