Our Commitment
The BC Choral Federation’s 2024–2029 Strategic Plan places Accessibility, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (AEDI) at the heart of our mission to celebrate, support, and advocate for choral singing across BC. We are committed to creating a vibrant, welcoming, and supportive choral community where people of all backgrounds, identities and abilities feel valued, respected and included and where everyone can participate and contribute. We strive to champion Accessibility, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (AEDI) in all our programs, partnerships, and leadership.
What Do We Mean by AEDI?
ACCESSIBILITY
Ensuring that all individuals have equitable access to opportunities, spaces, and resources by identifying and removing physical, financial, systemic, or attitudinal barriers to participation.
EQUITY
Recognizing that individuals have different circumstances and allocating the specific resources and opportunities needed to achieve fair outcomes. Equity is about fairness, not sameness.
DIVERSITY
Embracing and valuing the differences among people, including (but not limited to) race, ethnicity, gender, age, ability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and cultural background.
INCLUSION
Fostering environments where all individuals feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued so that everyone can fully participate and contribute.
Our AEDI Initiatives
AEDI Portfolio
AEDI became a core portfolio in our organizational structure on September 24, 2022. This portfolio leads our efforts to embed AEDI into every aspect of our work. Please review our AEDI Portfolio Terms of Reference.
Workshops and Ongoing Education
We offered a series of online workshops on the theme of Respect on February 6 and 27, 2021; March 6 and 20, 2021; February 26 and April 2, 2022, with leaders in the AEDI field from across Canada and internationally, covering topics such as:
• Building Respectful, Inclusive and Mindful Choral Communities
• Considerations for Anti-Racist Choral Environments
• Singing French Canadian Choral Music
• Conversations around Voice, Place, and Solidarity
• Bridging tradition and modernity through vocal arts and choral music
You can watch archival recordings of these workshops by registering here. BCCF encourages AEDI ongoing learning for staff, board, and member choirs. Our board has participated in training sessions with AEDI expert, Justin Jalea and engaged in Choral Canada’s “All Together Now” pilot. We look forward to future training opportunities and welcome suggestions for additional resources or training needs.
Policy Development
In August 2023, the British Columbia Choral Federation (BCCF) began collaborating with Power of Discourse Consulting on a new strategic plan through an Accessibility, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (AEDI) lens. The main goal of this collaboration was to create a strategic plan, with the input from the BCCF’s membership, underpinned by principles of AEDI. Surveys, listening sessions, and collaborative strategic planning sessions were utilized to co-create this strategic plan.
Our AEDI Policy was formally adopted by the BCCF Board of Directors on June 7, 2025. We hope to provide policy models that member organizations can adapt and use. In response to a member’s concerns about accessibility, we are developing a draft Accessibility Policy. We plan to share this as a resource for choirs across BC and potentially offer a workshop for choirs on accessibility and accommodations.
Diverse Repertoire & Clinicians
We highlight and promote diverse repertoire, composers, and cultural traditions in events such as ChorFest (eg. BCCF Chorfest 2016 “PacifiChor – Voices of the Pacific Rim”; BCCF “World Chorfest” 2018), BC Youth Choir (Tracy Wong – 2024, Darita Seth – 2025), and other initiatives.
Resource & Communications
We have developed this dedicated AEDI webpage to share resources, policies, and updates. Please contact aedi@bcchoralfed.com for specific requests, resources, and/or support.
Future Directions
The committee is exploring the possibility of including “Reconciliation” in our mandate, inspired by models like READI. We are committed to ongoing research into best practice, collaboration, and the development of practical tools including possibly creating an online collaborative space for AEDI resources for our member choirs.
Resources & Learning
Here is a list of resources to deepen your understanding and practice of AEDI.
Celebrating the Harmony of ADEI
At the heart of every choir is a beautiful truth: when many unique voices come together, they create something extraordinary. Embracing Access, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (AEDI) is much like singing in a choir—each person’s contribution is valued, and together, we build a richer, more harmonious community.
Every Voice Matters
In a choir, every part—soprano, alto, tenor, or bass—plays a vital role in creating harmony. Just as each singer brings their own tone and timbre, AEDI reminds us that every individual, regardless of background or identity, is essential to the fabric of our community.
Listening and Collaboration
Great choral music happens when singers listen as much as they sing, blending their voices with care. AEDI echoes this spirit: we listen to diverse perspectives, collaborate, and ensure everyone feels heard and included.
Unity Through Diversity
A choir’s magic lies in the diversity of its voices—different ranges, textures, and colors coming together as one. AEDI celebrates this diversity, recognizing that our collective strength is found in what makes each of us unique.
Creating Harmony
Harmony is more than just notes; it’s the alignment of different voices into a beautiful whole. AEDI seeks this same harmony in our society—promoting equity and respect so everyone can contribute to a shared vision.
Shared Purpose
Choir members unite around a simple, powerful goal: to make beautiful music together. AEDI brings people together around shared values of respect, inclusion, and belonging, inspiring us to work toward a common good.
Adaptability and Flexibility
Choirs adjust their dynamics, tempo, and phrasing to suit each piece and each other. Likewise, AEDI calls for adaptability—meeting the unique needs of individuals and communities while upholding fairness and equity.
Honouring Individual Strengths
Every singer brings something special—vocal power, musicality, or a spirit of volunteering. In both choirs and AEDI, we celebrate these strengths and ensure everyone has the opportunity to shine.
Building Trust
Singing together requires trust: in your conductor, your fellow singers, and yourself. AEDI builds trust by creating spaces where everyone feels safe to express themselves, free from judgment or exclusion.
Joy In Connection
The joy of choir singing comes from the deep connection we feel with one another through music. AEDI fosters that same joy by nurturing meaningful connections across diverse communities.
Continuous Improvement
No choir is perfect—we rehearse, reflect, and grow together. Embracing AEDI is also a journey of ongoing learning and improvement, ensuring our community becomes ever more inclusive and welcoming.
In choir and in community, we thrive when every voice is valued. Let’s celebrate the harmony that diversity brings!
Get Involved
Share Your Feedback in our online survey.
Contact Us: Reach out for support, suggestions, or partnership opportunities at aedi@bcchoralfed.com.
