What should I wear?
Wear whatever makes you feel comfortable. Some people opt to dress up for a night on the town, while others dress very casually in jeans and a t-shirt. A safe guideline could be dressing as you would for a restaurant outing on a Friday or Saturday evening.
Where is the best place to sit?
This is unique for every audience member and venue. Some people like to sit in the front row while others prefer the very back row of the balcony.
What happens if I arrive late?
Patrons who arrive late will be discreetly seated between pieces.
May I bring children?
While children are welcome to attend, we ask that they be old enough to sit through the performance without talking or distracting other audience members. All children and babies must have a valid concert ticket and we’ve made it incredibly accessible and affordable with our new Under 18 tickets!
Will programs be available?
Yes, printed programs will be available at the venue, and digital programs will be available to download from our website before each concert.
May I take pictures or record videos?
Before and after the concert, feel free to take pictures or record videos to capture your favorite moments. However, please note that during the performance, audience members are not permitted to take pictures or create audio/video recordings to ensure a distraction-free experience for everyone. After the show, if the conductor and singers are available, you are more than welcome to take pictures with them too. Don’t forget to tag us on social media @vanchamberchoir.
When do I clap?
Please hold your applause until the end of each piece of music. For works with multiple movements (indicated in the program), please hold your applause until the very end. If you are unsure, a good strategy is to wait for applause to begin and then join in!
Why do we often perform in churches?
Many reasons!
- Historically, churches were at the heart of Western musical culture. Many of the great composers (Bach, Handel, Beethoven and many, many more) held important church positions which allowed them to compose truly exquisite sacred music for performance in church. While we sing a wide variety of sacred and secular (non-religious) music, the historical link to church buildings is very strong.
- Practically speaking, many older churches were specifically designed to carry unamplified sound a great distance. As an ensemble that primarily performs unaccompanied and unamplified music, this is a great fit for us! While there are many wonderful theatre spaces in Vancouver, many of them simply are not meant to make unamplified performers sound their best without the aid of microphones and digital enhancements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the choir
What are the differences between a Chamber Choir, a Small Ensemble, a Philharmonic Choir and a Show Choir? What are the different voice types, and where do they stand in the choir?
Which kinds of music does the Vancouver Chamber Choir sing?
What is the job of the conductor?
Which languages has the Vancouver Chamber Choir sung in? Where do I find translations of the texts, and do you have any suggestions for following along? What kinds of things could I be listening for in a piece?
What is the difference between a professional and an amateur choir? What kinds of training have the Vancouver Chamber Choir singers had to be able to audition for the choir? Why does the Vancouver Chamber Choir sing from scores?
What are the distinctions between singing a cappella and singing with instrumentalists?
